Project
Did you know that most of the formulations on the market are still fossil-based and far from sustainable?
Formulations in industrial applications primarily rely on fossil-based surfactants/polymers significantly contributing to environmental pollution (CO2 increase, microplastics) and are scarcely sustainable. It is our responsibility to find bio-based alternatives that tackle serious societal and ecological challenges, but transitioning from traditional surfactants is not an easy process.
SurfToGreen develops a new portfolio of fully bio-based surfactants for key applications. By using renewable biomass-derived building blocks sourced from EU agricultural and forest side streams, we are creating surfactants with over 95% bio-based content, overcoming the current performance and production throughput constraints, as well as provide environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional petroleum-based products.
Tested applications for a paradigm shift
SurfToGreen project represents a unique opportunity to develop new chemicals and formulations technologies that prioritize sustainability at lower costs and without compromising their performances.
We validate the effectiveness, sustainability and safety of our bio-based formulations in key industrial applications such as home and personal care, textile enhancement, and agriculture.
Thanks to a collaboration between major market players and small businesses, SurfToGreen aims to gain significant market share and compete against existing products, ensuring a paradigm shift towards more environmentally friendly practices.
Objectives
1
Identification and selection of EU-based resources from agricultural or forest industry sidestreams as renewable, safe, and sustainable building blocks meeting surfactant industry requirements.
2
Development of synthesis paths aligning with green chemistry principles to produce readily biodegradable, safe and sustainable surfactants with minimal CO2 impact.
3
Integration of novel bio-based surfactants into formulations for major applications, such as home and personal care, cosmetics, textile, and agriculture.
4
Establishment of novel metrics to ensure safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles throughout the project for maximal industrial impact with minimal environmental impact.
5
Demonstration of the technological, social, environmental, and economic viability of at least six product solutions across three value chains, with scalable business plans for the worldwide commercialisation of at least three final demonstrators.