New 100% bio-based surfactants - Clariant drives the shift towards renewable carbon

The Vita series is produced in a completely separate facility, and from the field to the finished product, the entire material flow remains separated from fossil-based products.

– Fully biobased Vita Surfactants & Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) with Carbon from renewable plant sources
– Contributing to the substitution of fossil carbon in the value chain while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 85% compared to comparable fossil-based products
– Chemically equivalent to fossil variants, same performance capability, same economic efficiency
– Available global supply in the first quarter of 2022 in the double-digit kiloton range
– Vita products represent a significant milestone in Clariant's new strategy to accelerate sustainability-driven innovations, in line with the new Purpose “Greater chemistry – between people and planet”

On February 2, 2022, Clariant introduced its new 100% biobased Vita Surfactants and Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) to further strengthen its sustainable product portfolio. As an immediate contribution to climate protection, the Vita products help substitute fossil carbon in the value chain with carbon from renewable sources.

The impacts of climate change are increasingly alarming. Consumers and industry are seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint, and demand for biobased chemicals is very likely to rise significantly in the coming years. Clariant contributes to this shift and promotes a transition to a more sustainable economy with a steadily growing share of biobased products in its portfolio.

The introduction of 100% biobased surfactants and PEGs represents a significant expansion of the ingredients Clariant markets under the Vita series. Vita products are based on renewable raw materials and have a Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) of at least 98%. This is another example of the company's active efforts to offer solutions that rely less and less on fossil-based carbon—aligned with the new Purpose “Greater chemistry – between people and planet.”

“From packaging to numerous ingredients, many industrial, agricultural, and consumer goods still rely on petrochemicals and thus fossil carbon. Typical examples include personal care and household cleaning products, as well as paints and coatings,” says Christian Vang, Global Head of Business Unit Industrial & Consumer Specialties, Clariant. “Switching to biobased carbon chemistry remains a major challenge for manufacturers, but with our new Vita surfactant and PEG products, we offer a technically and economically viable solution to achieve this goal.”

Vita products are focused on natural formulations that aim for a high RCI. They help manufacturers maximize the biobased carbon content in consumer goods such as detergents, hair and body shampoos, as well as in paints, industrial solvents, and crop protection products.

Clariant sources the bioethanol used to produce the ethylene oxide for its innovative new surfactants and PEGs 100% from sugarcane or corn. The biobased material undergoes a fully separated value chain from field to finished product.

Since only renewable resources are used, the ingredients have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than their fossil-based counterparts. Vita surfactants are genuine CO2 emission reducers and can help reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85% compared to similar fossil products.[1]

Moreover: the new solutions not only set the standard for more environmentally friendly production but are also chemically equivalent to fossil versions, making them just as effective and economical. Clariant customers currently benefit from more than 70 of these biobased surfactants, and the range is continuously expanding. Already in the first quarter of 2022, the company will supply the global market with a double-digit kiloton quantity of biobased surfactants and PEGs.

As a sustainable and innovative specialty chemicals company and a member of the UN Global Compact Initiative, Clariant stands at the forefront of providers of pioneering carbon solutions, backed by outstanding expertise, know-how, and industrial knowledge. Learn more about the new Vita surfactants for natural formulations or discover how Clariant is shaping the world's dynamic change through its comprehensive sustainability strategy.

[1] Based on EO estimate