Sustainable Biosurfactants Gain Ground in Personal Care

The personal care industry is paying more attention to biosurfactant innovation as consumers demand gentler and more sustainable solutions. Companies are investing in the category by opening production facilities to expand their global reach and entering partnerships to strengthen surfactant capabilities. One British biosurfactant producer has partnered with a UK household-cleaning formulator to build an end-to-end biotech platform covering ingredient development, formulations, and manufacturing. At the same time, a Turkish surfactants manufacturer is increasing its annual production capacity to 100,000 metric tons with a new production facility, supporting international partners that account for more than 62% of its exports.

Sustainable surfactants at scale

The partnership between the British biosurfactant producer and the UK household-cleaning formulator brings together biosurfactant innovation, manufacturing, formulation, and end-product capabilities. The platform combines fermentation-derived biosurfactant technology with the formulation and manufacturing of biodegradable, non-hazardous household and cleaning products.
The partnership is described as a milestone in the development of a biochemical company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing novel performance ingredients that are better for people and the planet. It is intended to accelerate the path to profitability and expand the ability to serve customers and partners with real applications development capabilities.
The collaboration connects science, engineering, and product development through to store shelves. Biomanufacturing is positioned as one of the defining growth industries of the coming decade. The move is expected to improve global availability and accessibility of sustainable and cost-effective biosurfactants, with continued backing from an FMCG investor.
The UK formulator says the partnership combines its experience in high-quality formulation with biomanufacturing technology. The aim is to provide customers with more sustainable cleaning solutions while maintaining the trusted service and relationships they already expect.
In another biosurfactant development, a company released its first fully upcycled, low-carbon, and palm-free biosurfactants in North America earlier this year. The launch came as pressure increased across the personal and home care industries to reduce environmental footprints without compromising affordability or the consumer experience.
Another company focused on sustainable surfactants expanded its laundry care solutions portfolio in February with a natural surfactant. The ingredient supports the formulation of sustainable liquid laundry detergents and hard-surface care products.
The move used a circular mass-balance approach that integrates upcycled raw materials while preserving product performance. These developments join a growing list of companies expanding their surfactant capabilities and exploring sustainability-focused solutions.

Investing in global surfactant demand

Demand for surfactant innovation has been picking up speed over the past few years, driven by sustainability and mildness concerns. This has created expansion opportunities for companies working in the personal care sector.
A Turkish manufacturer of surfactants, preservation systems, and specialty chemical ingredients is responding to this growth with a manufacturing investment. The company is opening its second surfactant and chemicals production facility in Gebze, Turkey, as part of a strategy focused on international growth and meeting global partner demand.
The investment strengthens Turkey’s surfactant manufacturing and supply capabilities, creating a hub that connects Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Improved manufacturing capabilities may support better strategic distribution as supply chain volatility caused by geopolitical tension in the region continues to create logistical issues for the industry.
The manufacturer generates approximately 62% of its revenue from exports and has customers and partners in more than 40 countries. International expansion is therefore a major focus of its operations.
Through the new second facility, the company aims to increase production flexibility, supply reliability, and agility in supporting customers and distribution partners around the world.
The commissioning of the second Tuzla facility and the achievement of total annual production capacity reaching the 100,000 metric tons mark the beginning of a new growth phase. The investment is intended to support global customers while strengthening production flexibility and supply reliability.
The company says it will continue to maintain its technical agility, close collaboration with customers, and approach of developing solutions tailored to specific needs.
The new facility comes as other industry players strengthen supply chain resilience and expand global manufacturing capabilities in the surfactant category.
Recently, another company validated five cosmetic ingredients at its manufacturing facility in Texas, US. The company said the move strengthens its manufacturing presence in North America in direct response to customer needs for more reliable supply chains and domestic sourcing options.
The expansion gives North American customers more reliable access to domestically sourced surfactants, along with emulsifiers and texture modifiers.
Late last year, another major industry player announced an expansion of production capacity for Alkyl Polyglucosides in Bangpakong, Thailand. The move strengthened regional supply and established a stronger regional network to meet growing demand for sustainable surfactants.