Evonik has unveiled a groundbreaking biosurfactant plant in Slovakia, representing a major step forward in sustainable manufacturing. This facility is the world’s first to produce rhamnolipid biosurfactants on an industrial scale, underscoring Evonik’s commitment to innovative and eco-friendly solutions.

Revolutionizing Multiple Industries

These high-quality, sustainable biosurfactants are already making waves in the cleaning, beauty, and personal care industries, with promising potential for further applications in coatings, pet food, and agriculture. Evonik’s new plant is set to drive significant advancements across these sectors.

Commitment to Sustainable Transformation

“We go beyond to create entirely new solutions and drive the sustainable transformation across multiple industries. Our leadership, based on systems thinking and a shared vision with our customers, has made this scalable action possible,” said Christian Kullmann, CEO of Evonik.

Innovative Biosurfactant Production

Evonik’s proprietary fermentation process for producing rhamnolipids uses renewable corn resources, resulting in an efficient, non-toxic, and biodegradable product. Rhamnolipids are gaining recognition as a sustainable alternative to surfactants derived from fossil fuels or tropical oils.

Strategic Location and Capabilities

The new facility is located at Evonik Fermas in Slovenská Ľupča, Slovakia, leveraging the site’s established biotech capabilities. This strategic location enhances Evonik Fermas’ role as a key biotech development and launch site for the company.

Future Investment in Sustainable Solutions

Evonik plans to invest over €3 billion in Next Generation Solutions, products with enhanced sustainability, by 2030. The biosurfactant technology platform being developed by Evonik is a prime example of this commitment, catering to a wide range of sectors.