Locus PI delivers REACH registered biosurfactants to EU markets

12 Sep 2022 --- Locus Performance Ingredients (Locus PI) has created two lines of innovative sophorolipid biosurfactants that have been REACH – registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals – registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The registrations give EU formulators access to multifunctional biosurfactant ingredients and improve products’ performance and environmental sustainability.

Locus PI is a green technology company that develops environmentally friendly biosurfactant solutions. Biosurfactants are surfactants that are naturally produced by microorganisms like yeast and bacteria. The biosurfactants can be used in color cosmetics, skincare and hair care formulas.

“The personal care sector is keen on going green, improving the sustainability of formulations and reducing carbon footprint. This is driven both by customer demand and (upcoming) legislation,” Ronald Lieffering, VP of EMEA at Locus PI, tells PersonalCareInsights.

“Unlike other bio-based ingredients, Locus PI’s biosurfactants are carbon-neutral, 100% biobased and have a 100% renewable carbon index rating. They are produced using renewable agricultural resources. They take product formulations to a new level and offer customers safer and healthier products compared to legacy ingredients, like surfactants, that often have ESG concerns.”

Lowering costs and NPD complexity
REACH registration makes it possible to distribute through Locus PI and gain access to the EU specialty chemicals market. The multifunctional biosurfactant components improve performance and sustainability in personal care, home and industrial product formulations.

Locus PI’s REACH registrations include the lactonic and linear versions of the sophorolipids. This gives formulators the chance to make distinctive mixtures to suit their demands.

“The REACH registrations encompass our full range of sophorolipids. This allows product formulators to use Locus Performance Ingredients’ complete lines of lactonic and linear sophorolipids and customize them to meet their needs in various applications,” Lieffering explains.

Locus PI’s complete lines of Ferma and Amphi – linear sophorolipid biosurfactants – are REACH registered by the ECHA.Sophorolipids (SLP) from Locus PI belong to the glycolipid class of biosurfactants and offer formulators multifunctionality benefits.

According to Locus PI, its biosurfactants are changing the future of clean-label new product development across the EU by streamlining clean-label product development with easier customization.

“Our fermentation-produced biosurfactants provide multifunctional ingredients that boost product performance and streamline commercialization. To improve speed to market, the Locus PI team developed ready-to-use, clean-label formulations for top personal care products, including shampoo, body wash, hand sanitizers, moisturizers, micellar water and more,” says Lieffering.

The SLP improve performance at low usage rates to reduce formulation costs and complexity. These properties, combined with their compatibility with a wide range of surfactants, provide exceptional performance in various product formulations, including personal care, home care, cleaning and industrial applications.

Demand for green ingredients
The company details that more than 50% of European adults agree that purchasing sustainable or environmentally friendly products are worthwhile. 

Amphi and Ferma, two distinct lines of biosurfactants from Locus PI are USDA-certified for having 100% biobased and renewable content, for assisting product formulators in meeting demands.

Additionally, the biosurfactants are touted to be free from palm oil and GMOs and for being easily biodegradable. Locus PI notes that its biosurfactants are created utilizing a fermentation process with a minimum carbon footprint to lessen the environmental impact.

Within the surfactant space, Unilever recently purchased a range of biodegradable surfactants – NextLab linear alkylbenzene – that will be used in the company’s Persil and Sunlight brands, to name a few.

Meanwhile, Kensing acquired Evonik’s amphoteric surfactant and specialty esters production operations in Virginia, US. The operations will focus on skincare, hair care and oral care applications.

In previous green chemistry moves, Firmenich unveiled its latest Sharing Innovation 2022 collection of perfumery ingredients that incorporated green science and technology.

By Nicole Kerr

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