Surfactants to get makeover as green technology licensed to Indian firm

Surfactants are used in abundance in the cosmetics industry as conditioning, cleansing and emulsifying agents, as well as in a number of other consumer products.

After use, however, surfactants often end up in the environment. Consequently, GreenCentre says there is a need to enhance the sustainability of this $24 billion market through the design and commercialization of surfactants with increased efficiency, biodegradability, and little to no eco-toxicity.

Concept​

The Gemini Surfactant Technology is a concept developed by Dr Gerrard Marangoni, a professor of chemistry at St. Francis Xavier University, and Dr Bruce Grindley from Dalhousie University.

Gemini Surfactants are so-called because their molecular structure is double-ended making them much more versatile and effective in smaller amounts than traditional surfactants.

In September 2010, GreenCentre in-licensed the technology from St. Francis Xavier and with a hands-on approach to commercialization, expanded the range of possible markets, ran industry-standard tests to better understand benefits, evaluated cost and manufacturability, and demonstrated their competitive cost attributes.

Tried and tested​

“Testing showed that even at significantly lower amounts, these surfactants perform as well as existing surfactants at larger loadings, as well as having a wide range of properties​,” says GreenCentre.

“Smaller amount of surfactant means reduced production and shipping costs and a smaller environmental footprint. These greener surfactants also improve the toxicity profile of the processes they underpin and can be biodegradable.”​

RAN chemicals has signed an exclusive license with RAN Chemicals to commercialize this technology.

The company is a sister concern of RSA Industries, and will formulate and manufacture the surfactants for several different market applications and sell them to other industries for use in a wide range of consumer products.