Evonik has received the Responsible Care Award of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) for its sustainable biosurfactants platform.

As the winner in the “Safe and Sustainable Chemicals” category, Evonik was recognized for its innovative glycolipid technology and strong partnership examples.

Evonik has an established portfolio of glycolipid biosurfactants and is the first company to meet the increasing market demand for commercial quantities of sustainable, high-performance rhamnolipid biosurfactants.

“Sustainability drives us, and innovation inspires us! Winning this award is clear confirmation that our biosolutions are driving the revolution toward sustainable chemicals,” said Johann-Caspar Gammelin, president of Evonik’s Nutrition & Care division.

Evonik’s glycolipid biosurfactants have been developed using its biotechnology platform, which is an integral part of the company’s life sciences division Nutrition & Care. The division is using innovative biosolutions to drive a revolution in cleaning and beyond by closing carbon loops using biogenic carbon as a raw material and ensuring the biodegradability of end products.

“Together with our partners, we are changing the game for consumers and bringing sustainability into everyday products,” said Yann d'Hervé, head of Evonik's Care Solutions business line.

Evonik was the first company to develop an IP-protected biotechnological process to produce rhamnolipid biosurfactants at commercial scale. In 2022, Evonik announced a triple-digit million-euro investment in a commercial-scale biosurfactant plant in Slovakia.