US speciality chemicals maker Kensing has taken the wraps off its first fully upcycled palm-free personal care biosurfactant co-developed with AmphiStar Biosurfactants.
Regenyl is a high-purity glycolipid produced via microbial fermentation from side streams of the edible oils industry, as well as agri-food waste.
The biodegradable surfactant can be used as emulsifying, solubilizing, and foaming agents in cosmetic formulations—both leave-on and rinse-off—delivering pleasant sensory textures and excellent skin feel.
Regenyl incorporates AmphiStar’s AmphiNova molecular design platform that takes a new approach to biosurfactant development.
Combining tailored microbial fermentation with pilot customer feedback, this collaborative platform enables the targeted design of upcycled, high-performance biosurfactant molecules with superior foaming and cleaning properties, capable of competing with today’s less sustainable surfactant incumbents.
“Breakthrough innovations such as converting waste into high-purity biosurfactants provide a clear path to achieving these targets while decoupling growth from land-use change,” said Denis Bendejacq, Kensing’s senior vice president of global research & innovation.
“Food waste and organic side streams are indeed highly effective feedstocks to meet demand at scale while preserving nature,” he added.
“Proprietary yeast strain engineering is combined with advanced waste treatment and purification know-how to create this new standard of fully upcycled, palm-free biosurfactants.”
Compared with biosurfactants of similar chemistry produced from virgin (non-upcycled) feedstocks, upcycled biosurfactants deliver more than a 4× reduction in CO₂ emissions, an 18× reduction in water footprint, a 15× reduction in biodiversity impact, and a 7× reduction in land use.
When compared with industry workhorse surfactants produced fully or partly from petro-based feedstocks, the environmental benefits are even greater.
“Our new portfolio of upcycled, low-carbon biosurfactants empowers formulators and brand owners to create differentiated products supported by credible, life-cycle-backed sustainability claims aligned with clean beauty expectations,” said Kensing senior vice president of surfactants and esters Eshani Burdwick.
Commercial availability is subject to applicable regulatory clearances.
Kensing will preview Regenyl at NYSCC Suppliers’ Day on 19-20 May at the Javits Convention Centre in New York at stand 913.
Attendees can meet the Kensing team and review prototypes for personal care applications, including body lotion, hand soap, and makeup remover formulations.
