Evonik to build biobased surfactants production plant in Slovakia

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

Evonik is investing a three-digit million-euro sum in the construction of a new production plant for biobased and fully biodegradable rhamnolipids. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants and serve as active ingredients in shower gels and detergents. Demand for environmentally friendly surfactants is growing rapidly worldwide.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the production of biosurfactants

The investment at the Slovenská Ľupča site in Slovakia strengthens Evonik's partnership with the consumer goods group Unilever, which began in 2019. At the same time the investment allows Evonik to further expand its own market position in the growth market for biosurfactants. The new plant is scheduled to come on stream in two years.

Rhamnolipids are produced by fermentation of sugar. Fossil carbon and tropical fats, which have so far been used to produce conventional surfactants, are therefore superfluous. The biodegradation of rhamnolipids makes them a sustainable alternative that also offers excellent foaming properties and is gentle on the skin. Applications are diverse and extend beyond cleaning agents to personal care.

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