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Technology

OUR innovative AND PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY

transforms bio-based waste- and side streams into high-performance microbial biosurfactants—setting new standards for sustainability and affordability in the industry.

THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE SURFACTANTS

Globally, over 20 million tonnes of surfactants are produced every year, but only 4% are fully biobased and less than 0.5% are produced using biological methods like plant extraction, biocatalysis or microbial fermentation.

<

TONNES

20M

OF SURFACTANTS ARE PRODUCED EVERY YEAR
Surfactants, short for SURFace ACTive AgeNTs, are amphiphilic molecules that reduce the surface tension. This unique property allows them to function as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, or dispersants—essential components in countless products we use every day. Amphiphilic refers to the molecular structure of these molecules, interacting both (amphi) with water and oil, which makes them incredible molecules.

ONLY

4%

ARE FULLY BIOBASED

Surfactants are used in almost every industry, from household cleaning products to high-value pharmaceuticals. In recent years, microbial biosurfactants have garnered significant attention due to the growing consumer demand for greener, more sustainable products. Industries such as cosmetics and personal care are increasingly committed to making the switch to bio-based ingredients.

>

0.5%

ARE PRODUCED BIOLOGICALLY

AMPHISTAR’S BIOSURFACTANT TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

AmphiStar’s innovative biosurfactant technology platform is the result of over a decade of integrated strain and process development.

Our platform, amongst other things, utilises the highly productive yeast Starmerella bombicola, originally isolated from bumblebee honey, to produce over 25 distinct and well-characterised glycolipid biosurfactants. Demonstrated at the 15 m³ scale, our technology delivers high-purity products ideal for a wide range of applications.

PROTECTED BY A ROBUST PATENT PORTFOLIO, OUR TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO EVOLVE, INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL ADVANCEMENTS ENZYMATIC AND CHEMICAL DERIVATISATION OF MICROBIAL BIOSURFACTANTS. THIS ENSURES THAT OUR SOLUTIONS REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INDUSTRY INNOVATION.
Novel
Biosurfactants

Unique technology for the cost-efficient, scalable and ecological production of high-performing, sustainable biosurfactants.

Process development 
& scale up
Synthetic Biology

Analysis & characterisation

POWERED BY NATURE

Our production processes are based on industrial biotechnology, using local, sustainable, and renewable raw materials.

Microbial fermentation is a clean production technology that uses mild conditions, making it safe for people and for the environment.
By using side streams and waste streams, we avoid the need for direct land use for the production of our compounds, leading to a positive effect on the environmental footprint of our products.

Our technology is capable of using both conventional first generation (1g) biomass feedstocks, such as glucose and fatty acids from locally sourced plant oils, and second generation (2g) feedstocks, like crude glycerine and food waste.

Whilst 1G feedstocks can have a notable environmental impact due to agricultural processes, our focus on using side streams and waste materials (2G feedstocks) maximises sustainability.

By prioritising these waste and side-streams, AmphiStar aligns with the goals of a circular economy, creating value across multiple sectors and reducing overall environmental impact.

Fossil based

E.G. LAS, AMINE OXIDES

  • Release of fossil CO2
  • Remote feedstock sourcing

HARSH PROCESS CONDITIONS

TOXIC CATALYSTS

Partly biobased

E.G. AES, ETHOXYLATES

  • Release of fossil CO2
  • Deforestation
  • Remote feedstock sourcing
  • Land use

HARSH PROCESS CONDITIONS

TOXIC CATALYSTS

Fully biobased

E.G. APGS, SUCROSE ESTER, RHAMNOLIPIDS, SOPHOROLIPIDS

  • Land use
  • Food versus chemicals
MILD BIO PROCESS

HARSH PROCESS CONDITIONS

TOXIC CATALYSTS

Fully biobased

E.G. APGS, SUCROSE ESTER, RHAMNOLIPIDS, SOPHOROLIPIDS

  • No direct land use
  • No food>chemicals
  • Local
MILD BIO PROCESS

>98% OF USED SURFACTANTS ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE!

From waste to wonders—we create sustainable biochemicals for a better tomorrow!

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