Biosurfactants: A Green Alternative for the Future of Industrial Applications

Highlights

• Introduction
• Genetic engineering for yield optimization
• Growth of the European biosurfactants industry
• Recent developments in the landscape

Biosurfactants are surface-active substances generated by microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Their distinct characteristics, including biodegradability, low toxicity, and environmentally friendly nature, make them a compelling alternative to synthetic surfactants for a wide range of industrial applications.  They enhance performance and offer eco-friendly benefits across various industries, including oil recovery, agriculture, personal care, detergents, and food emulsification. These molecules consist of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, enabling them to lower surface tension and enhance the solubility of hydrophobic compounds in aqueous solutions.

As compared to synthetic chemical surfactants, which are derived from petroleum, biosurfactants are sourced biologically. They are produced from renewable resources and are known as more environmentally friendly and sustainable. The biosurfactants industry is growing steadily, fueled by the rising demand for eco-friendly and sustainable surfactant solutions across various industries, including oil and gas, agriculture, personal care, and food processing. 

Role of genetic engineering in boosting biosurfactant production

Genetic engineering enhances biosurfactant production by altering microorganisms to boost their ability to produce these compounds. This technique allows for biosurfactant yield optimization, characteristics, and production efficiency. Genetic engineering techniques modify the metabolic pathways of microorganisms that produce biosurfactants, resulting in higher yields of specific compounds such as rhamnolipids and lipopeptides. Recombinant strains with enhanced productivity and developed by cloning genes are responsible for biosurfactant synthesis in non-producing hosts.

Genetic engineering provides insights into the genetic and biochemical pathways involved in biosurfactant production. By analyzing these pathways, scientists identify issues and adjust conditions to improve yields. This process involves manipulating operons and regulatory genes that govern biosynthetic operations. The latest techniques, for instance, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing precisely alter the genomes of biosurfactant-producing microorganisms. This technique enables the enhancement of biosynthetic pathways and the introduction of beneficial traits that boost yield and efficiency.

Understanding the growing adoption of biosurfactants in the European personal care industry

The personal care and cosmetics industry in Europe is witnessing substantial expansion due to the growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients across consumers. Biosurfactants are being integrated into shampoos, conditioners, and lotions due to their advantageous properties. European regulations are becoming more favorable toward biosurfactants, encouraging their use as safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Policies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of surfactants are encouraging manufacturers to switch to biosurfactants.

Furthermore, the demand for biosurfactants is rising because the detergent and cleaning products industry is growing. This growth is fueled by better living standards, more urbanization, and increased awareness of health and hygiene, which makes cleanliness more important. Among the European countries, Spain is estimated to showcase the fastest CAGR of 6.6% by 2032. 

Evonik received the European Responsible Care Award for its sustainable glycolipid biosurfactants

Evonik was honored with the Responsible Care Award from the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) for its sustainable biosurfactants platform in January 2024. Evonik was honored as the winner in the 'Safe and Sustainable Chemicals' category for its glycolipid technology and significant partnerships. The company offers a well-established portfolio of glycolipid biosurfactants and is the first to fulfill the growing market demand for large-scale production of high-performance, sustainable rhamnolipid biosurfactants.

Evonik’s glycolipid biosurfactants are formulated through its biotechnology platform, a key component of the company's Nutrition & Care division. This division utilizes innovative biosolutions to transform cleaning and other applications by closing carbon loops with biogenic carbon as raw material and ensuring the biodegradability of the final products.

Again, in May 2024, Evonik inaugurated a new sustainable biosurfactant plant in collaboration with key customers in Slovakia. With an investment in the triple-digit millions of euros, this is the first facility that produces industrial-scale volumes of rhamnolipid biosurfactants. These biosurfactants are already transforming the cleaning, beauty, and personal care industries. Also, the strong foundation and expertise at the new facility made it ideally suited for launching Evonik Fermas’s first industrial scale rhamnolipid production. This marks a key milestone in scaling up and advancing Evonik’s biotechnology projects.

Sasol Chemical's biosurfactant brands for the personal and home care sector

In November 2023, Sasol Chemicals, a division of global chemicals and energy company Sasol, introduced a new range of biosurfactants designed for the personal and home care sectors. The initial products are Carinex and Livinex. Carinex is intended for the personal care market, while Livinex targets home care, technical, institutional, and industrial cleaning sectors.

Both products are fully biodegradable and serve as detergents, dispersants, emulsifiers, foaming, or wetting agents. They are suitable for everyday personal care items like shampoos and conditioners, cleaning products, degreasers, and other applications in technical and industrial settings.

To conclude, biosurfactants are increasingly replacing synthetic surfactants across various industries with their environmental and performance benefits. Their production is becoming more efficient and sustainable with the advent of genetic engineering. This trend is boosting the demand for eco-friendly products in personal care, cleaning, and other industries.

For more details on applications and use cases of biosurfactants, contact our experts today!

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