Evonik drives sustainable biosurfactant revolution with inauguration of new facility in Slovakia
The triple-digit million-euro facility is the first worldwide to manufacture industrial-scale quantities of rhamnolipid biosurfactants, which also show huge potential in coatings.
Evonik has officially inaugurated its new sustainable biosurfactant plant together with key customers in Slovakia. The triple-digit million-euro facility is the first worldwide to manufacture industrial-scale quantities of rhamnolipid biosurfactants. These sustainable biosurfactants are already transforming the cleaning, beauty and personal care industries and have huge potential in many other applications, such as coatings.
The company has been leading the development of industrial-scale biosurfactants with its IP-protected, fermentation-based process for rhamnolipid production. Rhamnolipids are made from renewable corn feedstocks using a biotechnological process. This yields a high-performing, non-toxic, biodegradable biosurfactant. Rhamnolipids are increasingly in demand because they provide a sustainable alternative to surfactants based on fossil sources or tropical oils.
By 2030, the company aims to have invested more than EUR 3 billion in Next Generation Solutions – products with sustainability benefits. One example is the biosurfactant technology platform that the raw material producer is building to serve diverse industries.
The new facility is based at Evonik Fermas, the company’s site in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia. Biotechnology capabilities at the site have been built up over many decades, making it the logical choice for the first industrial scale rhamnolipid production facility. This reinforces the position of Slovakian site as a biotechnology scale-up and launch platform for the company.
