The world of surfactants is poised for a significant transformation, thanks to a €2.5m grant and a €10m equity investment from the European Innovation Council (EIC). This blended funding will enable AmphiStar, a Belgian company, to accelerate the production of sustainable microbial biosurfactants from bio-based waste feedstocks, paving the way for a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional synthetic surfactants.
The EIC Funding: A Significant Boost
The funding, which totals €12.5m, is a substantial injection of capital that will enable AmphiStar to scale up its production and bring its biosurfactant products to market. The company has already demonstrated significant commercial potential, with €12m raised through various channels, including CBE-JU projects, regional grants, and a pre-series A funding round closed in 2024 by three experienced VC funds.
- Waste2Func, SurfsUP, and regional grants (VLAIO)
- Early and disruptive support from the German SPRIN-D and Ghent-based Biotope
- A pre-series A funding round closed in 2024 by three experienced VC funds (ECBF, Qbic, PMV)
A Cleaner Alternative to Synthetic Surfactants
AmphiStar’s synthetic biology platform is designed to create molecules tailored to specific applications, using bio-based waste and side streams as feedstocks for its fermentation process. This approach offers a cleaner alternative to traditional synthetic surfactants, which are often associated with deforestation and habitat loss, as well as the use of virgin crops such as palm oil or sugar as feedstock.
| Comparison | Non-upcycled Sophorolipids | Synthetic Sodium Laureth Sulfate | Amine Oxides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Warming Potential | 4-fold reduction | 6-fold reduction | 9.5-fold reduction |
| Water and Land Requirements | Significantly less | Significantly more | Significantly more |
| Human Health and Ecosystem Impacts | Substantially decreased | Significantly increased | Significantly increased |
Market Potential and Future Plans
The funding will enable AmphiStar to further scale up production of its commercially available products (AmphiCareⓇ and AmphiCleanⓇ), as well as bring a novel biosurfactant from its biosurfactant platform technology to market. The company plans to expand its range of products beyond its current personal care and home care offerings, and has signed a strategic agreement with an Illinois-based surfactant manufacturer to bring its biosurfactants and production technology to the North American market.
“This funding success enables us to take the next steps in AmphiStar’s journey to commercialisation. We now look forward not only to further scaling production of our commercially available products, but also to bringing a first novel biosurfactant from our biosurfactant platform technology to market while expanding our range of products beyond our current personal care and home care offerings.” – Sophie Roelants, AmphiStar COO
Environmental Sustainability
The environmental sustainability of AmphiStar’s biosurfactants has been confirmed by a recent Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), which demonstrated that their production results in a four-fold reduction in global warming potential compared to non-upcycled sophorolipids, and a six-fold reduction compared to synthetic Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Additionally, they require significantly less water and land, and have substantially decreased impacts on human health, ecosystem quality, and resource availability.
Industry Recognition
AmphiStar’s technological excellence has been recognized by the European Innovation Council (EIC), which has awarded the company a significant funding package. This recognition affirms the EIC’s belief in AmphiStar’s ability to redefine surfactants using bio-based alternatives, and to lead the way in replacing environmentally damaging synthetic surfactants with more sustainable options. “This funding reflects the confidence that EIC has in AmphiStar’s ability to transform one of the key chemical markets. With growing consumer pressure on industry to offer less harmful products, the financial support ensures that we will continue to lead the way in replacing environmentally damaging synthetic surfactants with bio-based alternatives that retain functionality and performance while being kind to people and our wider ecosystem.” – Pierre-Franck Valentin, AmphiStar CEO
A Growing Library of Biosurfactant Molecules
AmphiStar has built on its successes by unveiling its growing library of over 80 biosurfactant molecules, suitable for a wide variety of applications. The company is finalizing agreements with European counterparts to bring its biosurfactants and production technology to the market, and is expected to release more news in the near future.
