Unilever purchases “world’s first” surfactant made from renewable carbon

22 Aug 2022 --- A new range of renewable and biodegradable surfactant known as NextLab linear alkylbenzene (LAB) has been bought by Unilever to be used in production of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), used in many of the company’s brands, including Persil, Cif and Sunlight. The surfactant was developed by a Spanish chemicals company named Cepsa Química.

Currently, all LAS surfactants are made from black carbon extracted from fossil fuels. Using LAB is a more environmentally sustainable way to produce this key raw material.

Manufacturing surfactants through carbon extraction is the most viable short-term alternative to purely fossil-carbon derived products, and is also a vital stepping stone in the shift from petrochemical to renewable feedstocks, according to the company.

“Using a mass balance approach allows us to start transitioning from black carbon sources to renewable alternatives that offer the same quality cleaning that our consumers expect and love in our brands,” says Kirsten Tosin, Unilever’s head of procurement, home care.

Using NextLAB LAB is a vital stepping stone in the shift from petrochemicals to renewable feedstocks.Renewable and biodegradable
Circular chemistry aims to optimize resource efficiency to close the loop and create a waste-free chemical industry that is more environmentally sustainable.

Until now the chemistry that provides the cleaning power of many laundry and detergent products has relied on ingredients derived from fossil fuels, also known as black carbon.

NextLab LAB is made using green carbon derived from renewable biomass, and is a more environmentally sustainable way to produce key raw material used in surfactants.

Surfactants are a vital ingredient in cleaning products. They work as active agents to stir up activity on the surface and lift off debris.

Surfactants are also used in a variety of skincare and hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, face washes and more. They work to emulsify and foam, making it an important component in personal care.

Fossil fuel alternative
Solvay previously introduced two biosurfactants: Mirasoft SL L60 and Mirasoft SL A60, touted to be 100% biobased and biodegradable surfactants and manufactured through a cost-efficient fermentation process to be applied in cosmetics.

The surfactant molecules are compatible with water and oil, which makes them useful as cosmetic ingredients.

The company says that the ingredients do not have harmful effects on the environment, unlike synthetic surfactants.

Surfactant in the spotlightSurfactants work to emulsify and foam, making it an important component in personal care. 
Innospec’s Iselux (sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate) surfactant got the greenlight for sale in China recently. It is a gentle cleanser according to the specialty chemical manufacturer, and can serve as a primary or secondary surfactant.

This month, Vitamin E manufacturer Kensing struck a deal to acquire German specialty chemicals company Evonik’s amphoteric surfactant and specialty esters production operations in Virginia, US.

Among its previous activities in the surfactants arena, Evonik invested in the “world’s first” production plant of bio-based rhamnolipids, based in Slovakia. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants that can be used instead of petrochemical ingredients to lift dirt and grease.

Edited By Radhika Sikaria