By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : March 11, 2021 11:27 am
BASF is always scouting for opportunities to work with partners well-rooted in technologies
BASF has recently signed partnerships agreements with Allied Carbon Solutions (ACS) Japan and Holiferm to expand its global leading position in the bio-based surfactants and actives market.
The strategic alliance with ACS includes an equity stake and makes BASF the single largest shareholder. It further entails an exclusive technology cooperation, commercial agreement and product development for sophorolipids, one class of glycolipids, to address the ever-increasing needs of consumers for sustainable, natural and bio-degradable ingredients and actives. The partners have agreed not to disclose financial details regarding the investment.
Through the strategic technology agreement with Holiferm, a UK-based start-up company, BASF establishes an exclusive cooperation to focus on developing and manufacturing sustainable, non-fossil based, fermentation-derived ingredients for other classes of glycolipids with potential for application in Home Care, Industrial Formulators and Personal Care products.
“We see strong business potential in these partnerships,” said Ralph Schweens, President, Care Chemicals, BASF. “While BASF already has solid innovation and production capabilities for surfactants, we are always scouting for opportunities to work with partners well-rooted in technologies which add to our strength in order to expand our product portfolio with additional biobased products.”
In collaboration with ACS, BASF developed a novel sophorolipid-based ingredient, produced via fermentation technology, and launched it in the Asian market under the brandname BioToLife in the second quarter of 2020.
“Biotechnology has been an established field in many industries for decades. More recently, it is also being used to develop Personal Care ingredients, predominantly active ingredients with high efficacy. ACS looks forward to a fruitful relationship with BASF,” said Yosuke Yamagata, CEO at ACS.
Combining Holiferm’s unique production technology and process know-how, and BASF’s leading position and knowledge in these industries will enable innovative solutions to be brought to customers even faster in the future.
“We value the collaborative approach BASF takes to strategic development and believe this partnership allows both partners to leverage their key innovation strengths. We look forward to working together to develop these further,” said Ben Dolman, CEO at Holiferm.