Evonik, German Based Specialty Chemical Company, Announcesto CommercializeIts Biosurfactants Business

Germany: Evonik, Germany based specialty chemicals company, has become the first company, globally, to adopt green technologies for the production of large quantities of premium surfactants. These surfactants are a major component of showers, shampoos, gels, and household cleansers. The company is majorly focusing upon lucrative markets of household and personal care products for its new product line. The first household cleansers containing Evonik biosurfactants have entered into the mainstream through supermarkets. Bio surfactants contain sophorolipids, which are produced in nature by a yeast, among other sources. The raw material cost involved in the production of biosurfacants is higher than the conventional counterpart but it is expected to gradually takeover as a better alternative due to its enhanced performance. The product has exceptional foam-forming properties, which will open up additional applications of the product in coming future.

TechSci Research depicts that surfactants, being a widely used chemicals due to its chemical property of reducing surface tension, has a large market and is used across personal care and homecare products industry. The increasing market of personal care is set to drive the market of bio surfactants and also create investment avenues for upcoming players.  However, with positive trends for bio surfactants, the market of its counterpart, i.e. conventional surfactant, will get negatively affected and so will the demand of its major raw material, caustic soda.

According to the recent report published by TechSci Research, “India Chlor Alkali Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2019”, the market for chlor alkali in India is projected to exhibit a CAGR of around 7% during 2014-19. Chlor alkali market is broadly categorized into three segments, namely Caustic Soda, Chlorine and Soda Ash. Among the three market segments, caustic soda held the highest revenue share at present, followed by chlorine and soda ash segments. Soap & detergent is the main end user industry in the chlor alkali market, followed by glass, pulp &paper, alumina and other industries. The market is expected to witness high penetration rate in the Western and Northern regions of the country. The market, though highly fragmented at present, is gradually moving towards consolidation, particularly with the entry of foreign players and expansion in distribution network of existing players.