Scottish green chemical producer Celtic Renewables has partnered with Evonik to supply bio-based chemicals for use in cosmetics formulations.
The German giant is using Celtic Renewables’ bio-butanol to produce Ecohance Soft BOL, a sustainable emollient for cosmetics and personal care products.
Celtic Renewables’ bio-butanol is derived entirely from locally sourced feedstocks, including whisky pot ale and rejected potatoes, at their biorefinery in Scotland.
The cosmetics and personal care industry is changing, with demand increasing for more sustainable ingredients that do not compromise on performance.
The cosmetics industry is increasingly searching for ingredients that have both functionality and meaning, and waste-derived feedstocks provide strong storytelling potential for customers.
“The cosmetics sector faces an immense challenge reducing its Scope 3 emissions,” said Bettina Brierly, chief commercial officer at Celtic Renewables.
“Currently, fossil-based chemicals are used in a range of cosmetic applications, with everything from face creams to lip gloss including them as active ingredients in the manufacturing process,” she added.
“By switching to bio-based alternatives, the emissions of these everyday cosmetics can be cut by up to 60%, without consumers having to change their purchasing habits and with very little impact on the manufacturing process.”
Both companies are exploring further applications of Celtic Renewables’ bio-based chemicals for use in other sustainably created cosmetics.
Wolfgang Goertz, Vice President Cosmetic Solutions at Evonik, added: “The butanol we get from Celtic Renewables fits perfectly with what we need.
“Our customers really appreciate the cosmetic emollient that we make with this raw material - we are able to achieve great sensory, texture and touch.”
