Biesterfeld agrees to distribute Holiferm’s biosurfactants in the personal care and cleaning markets in the DACH region
Biesterfeld Spezialchemie has agreed to begin distributing biosurfactants from UK specialist manufacturer Holiferm in the personal care and cleaning markets. This exclusive distribution agreement for this novel range of eco-friendly surfactants applies only to the DACH-region.
Holiferm’s 100% biobased and biodegradable surfactants are produced from European renewable feedstocks via a natural fermentation process, using yeast naturally found in honey. There are currently two versions; HoneySurf® and HoliSurf®. Applications for these biosurfactants are very diverse, including home care uses; such as hard surface cleaners and liquid dish wash detergents, as well as personal care formulations like face creams and shampoos. In addition to their unique environmentally-friendly profile, the biosurfactants are COSMOS approved and have different application benefits including an ultra-mildness on skin. Thanks to Holiferm’s patented high productivity fermentation process, these biosurfactants will, for the first time, be offered to the mass market in the highly competitive and strongly petrochemical dependant surfactant industry.
“With today’s increasing consumers’ environmental consciousness and the resulting changing buying behaviours, the personal care and home care industries are accelerating the transition towards more sustainable solutions” explains Julien Fischer, Product Manager Personal Care & Cleaning, Biesterfeld Spezialchemie. “We are very excited to add Holiferm’s biotech surfactants to our portfolio of sustainable ingredients and look forward to introducing this promising product to our customers”.
“We have worked very hard to perfect the fermentation process to produce both sustainable and effective raw materials, that give customers a competitive advantage. Currently available at pilot plant scale, these biosurfactants are on track to be manufactured in what eventually will be the EU’s largest manufacturing plant for sophorolipids,” adds Richard Lock, Managing Director at Holiferm. “Biesterfeld has an excellent reputation, market presence and are technical experts with application-focused know-how. That makes them the ideal distribution partner for us and we look forward to a successful partnership.”
Holiferm is based in the North West of the United Kingdom with sites in Manchester, Daresbury and Wallasey. It was founded on the back of patented gravity separation technology developed at the University of Manchester. As a company it aims to disrupt the market and replace all petrochemical produced surfactants with naturally produced biosurfactants. They use yeast derived from honey to produce biosurfactants using a continuous cycle method, which makes them not only more economically viable, but more environmentally friendly too. Their biosurfactants have applications in many products found around the home including cosmetics, skin care, shower gels and hand cleansers.
Biesterfeld Spezialchemie is one of the leading international distributors of specialty chemical products, food ingredients and solutions worldwide. Their product portfolio focuses on the requirements of selected industries, including composites and tooling, personal care and cleaning, healthcare, paints and coatings, adhesives, polyurethane, construction, nutrition, electrical, electronics and energy. As a partner to leading global suppliers, the company is represented throughout Europe and provides solution-orientated, technology-based expertise as well as customised solutions. Biesterfeld Spezialchemie is part of the Biesterfeld Group, which has been active as a trade and service company for 115 years. With over 40 locations worldwide, the family-owned group is one of the leading distributors for plastics, rubber, as well as basic and specialty chemicals.
For more information on Biesterfeld and their products please visit www.biesterfeld.com or contact j.fischer@biesterfeld.com (+49 40 32008-766) or h.riemann@biesterfeld.com (+49 40 32008-236)
For more information about Holiferm, HoneySurf and HoliSurf please visit www.holiferm.com or contact info@holiferm.com
