Henkel and TNO to jointly develop novel biobased surfactants

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

Within the ChemistryNL TKI co-funded ‘Biobased Surfactants for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Society’ project, TNO and Henkel jointly develop novel biobased surfactants. This offers a renewable alternative with the potential of improved performance and biodegradability in detergents.

Figure 1. Henkel and TNO to  jointly develop novel biobased surfactants (taken from the press release)

Preliminary research by Biorizon co-initiator TNO revealed that the bio-based platform molecule furfural has great potential to serve as basis for desired renewable surfactants. Today, furfural is produced from residual hemicellulose streams at 400 kta and its market is expected to grow in view of its increasing application potential and the increasing availability of residual hemicellulose from established and upcoming biorefineries, which are seeking increased valorisation potential for their undervalued hemicellulose residues.

To unleash the potential of furfural-based surfactants there is the need to develop new surfactant structures which deliver similar or even better application characteristics than the conventionally used surfactant types, combined with sustainability criteria covering biodegradability, bio-based content and sustainable sourcing. In this project Biorizon co-initiatior TNO and Henkel aim to identify, synthesize and assess these novel furfural based surfactant molecules.

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