Belgian start-up AmphiStar has launched a range of waste-based biosurfactants aimed at the personal and home care markets.
Sourced from local, organic biowaste and side streams from agri-food processing, the AmphiCare and AmphiClean ranges were produced using microbial fermentation, the company said on 8 October.
The launch followed the company’s announcement in April that it had secured €6M (US$6.43M) in funding from the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), Qbic III and Flanders Future Tech Fund (FFTF) to launch the range.
At that time, the company said it planned to build a 1,000 tonnes/year launch plant.
AmphiCare is designed for use in cosmetic products such as shampoos, makeup removers and other skincare products, while AmphiClean is aimed at the home care market such as multi-surface cleaners, dishwashing products and detergents.
Established in 2021, AmphiStar is a spin off company from Ghent University and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant.
Using a production method similar to processes used to brew beer, the company’s range of microbial surfactants are produced from locally-sourced waste and side-steams from the agri-food industry, such as supermarket food waste.
According to the company’s website, its biosurfactant technology platform is based on the yeast organism Starmerella bombicola, which is used to produce over 25 specific variants of glycolipid biosurfactants.
The company said the processes it used to produce its range of biosurfactants were based on industrial biotechnology and used local, sustainable and renewable raw materials.
Both conventional first-generation (1G) biomass feedstocks, such as glucose and fatty acids derived from locally-sourced plant oil, and second generation (2G) biomass feedstocks, such as crude glycerine and food waste, could be used in the process, the company said.
Following the launch of its first commercially available biosurfactant last year, in partnership with sustainable cleaning product company Ecover, the company said it was looking to form further partnerships.
In addition, AmphiStar said it was also planning to develop advanced surfactants for the personal care, home care and other sectors.
