A major push toward defossilizing the chemical industry is underway as Zschimmer & Schwarz and deep-tech start-up Viridi announce a Joint Development Agreement aimed at scaling up breakthrough CO₂-based surfactant technology.

 

The partnership is designed to accelerate the market adoption of Viridi’s proprietary process, which transforms captured carbon dioxide into a renewable carbon source for chemical manufacturing. The resulting surfactants — key ingredients in products such as cleaning agents — promise a more sustainable alternative to fossil-based materials.

 

Following extensive trials by Zschimmer & Schwarz, multiple applications and use cases were identified, clearing the path for further development and industrial-scale production. By integrating Viridi’s technology, the global chemical specialties supplier aims to boost both product sustainability and manufacturing efficiency.

 

“This agreement represents a big milestone in our mission to help the chemical manufacturing industry, and ultimately, society to recycle CO2 and eventually defossilize. We are delighted to share this journey with Zschimmer & Schwarz, a company with such a pioneering mindset,” says Daniel Stewart, CEO of Viridi.

 

For Zschimmer & Schwarz, the deal underscores a broader sustainability strategy focused on biodegradable and environmentally responsible solutions.

 

“Our partnership with Viridi, a highly innovative start-up, strengthens our commitment to provide sustainable and biodegradable solutions for the future. We are excited to jointly explore opportunities for the next generation of surfactants,” adds Matthias Hofmann, Director of Global R&D of Zschimmer & Schwarz.

 

With global pressure mounting to cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil feedstocks, the collaboration signals a decisive move toward circular carbon chemistry — and a new generation of climate-conscious surfactants poised for commercial scale.