Unilever & Evonik to remove fossil fuels from detergents
German chemicals firm Evonik has partnered with consumer goods titan Unilever to produce fossil-free cleaning products at its planned new plant in Slovakia.
Evonik has invested a multimillion-euro sum into developing fully biodegradable rhamnolipids at the Slovenská Ľupča site, building on a partnership that has been in place for three years.
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The formula, which was first used by Unilever in Quix hand dishwashing liquid in 2019, will see Evonik attempt to increase its market share in the cleaning products sector.
Most surfactants used in cleaning products are derived from petrochemicals and are often carbon-intensive to retrieve and turn into products. The rhamnolipids used in this formula, however, are derived from sugar.
Unilever pledged back in September 2020 to use 100% renewable or recyclable resources in the development of its cleaning products by 2030, as much of the world looks to shift away from fossil fuels for more renewable alternatives.
"We invest more than €400 million a year in our research and development", says Harald Schwager, Evonik's Chief Innovation Officer.
"The journey of rhamnolipids from the initial idea to the finished product has been long, but it is worth it. This partnership with Unilever is a result of our expertise in biotechnology".
The sugar used in the production of rhamnolipids is fermented, and its creation renders the fats and oils derived from petrochemicals obsolete. It is also biodegradable, making it a more sustainable alternative in the long term.
The use of rhamnolipids can also be extended beyond cleaning products and could be utilised in the cosmetics industry.
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"We want to make sustainability easy for everyone that uses our products", said Peter Dekker, Unilever's Vice President for Middle Europe.
"[Our] partnership with Evonik helps move our brands away from fossil fuels without compromising on performance or affordability".
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