Evonik Produces Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant Products

Evonik's factory in Slovakia was completed ahead of schedule and officially produces the first industrial-scale sustainable biosurfactant product.

The new plant is the first in the world to produce sustainable rhamnolipid biosurfactants. Evonik's rhamnolipids are of excellent quality and rely on intellectual property protection and biological fermentation manufacturing technology to provide Evonik with a unique market position.

Rhamnolipids and other sustainable biosurfactants in Evonik's product portfolio leverage the biotechnology platforms of the company's Life Sciences and Nutrition & Care divisions, which are using innovative biosolutions driven by sustainable development, solving challenges in bio-based care with closed-loop carbon systems while maintaining high functionality and protecting biodiversity.

"Our high-performance rhamnolipids are not only a breakthrough for Evonik, but importantly set a precedent for a revolution in sustainable chemicals. We are delighted to be leading the industry trend with our bio-based solutions."said Johann-Caspar Gammelin, President of Evonik Nutrition & Care division.

Yann dHervé, head of Evonik's Care Solutions business line, said: "The early completion of the plant is a milestone for our business and a testament to our technology and expertise, empowering our customers to bring more sustainable cleaning and personal care products to market faster. "

Rhamnolipid is an anionic biosurfactant produced by microorganisms. It is produced sustainably through a fermentation process using European corn sugar as the main raw material. This carbon-based bioprocess does not require petrochemical feedstocks or tropical oils.

Rhamnolipids are fully biodegradable and can serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional surfactants due to their biobased raw materials and low toxicological and ecotoxicological properties.

Evonik Fermas is located in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia. It was originally established in 1992 by Degussa AG and Biotika and is now part of the Evonik Group. The company aims to develop into a leading manufacturer of microbial fermentation products.