AmphiStar and Kensing join forces to supply sustainable personal care ingredients to North America

USA – Amphistar, a Belgian-based biotechnology innovator, has partnered with Kensing, an American surfactant producer, to strengthen the North American personal care market with sustainable biosurfactants.

This collaboration will introduce next-generation biosurfactants, derived from 100% upcycled microbial fermentation, marking a significant step toward environmentally responsible ingredient sourcing.

Kensing is set to leverage its deep surfactant expertise and established market access to facilitate the adoption of these sustainable solutions across the Personal Care and Home, Industrial & Institutional (HI&I) industries. 

The biosurfactants, which serve as emulsifiers and co-surfactants, will be integrated into formulations for body lotions, creams, shampoos, body washes, and makeup removers, offering mild yet effective alternatives to conventional surfactants.

Pierre- Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar, stated, “Kensing’s scientific expertise in formulation and production of plant-based ingredients coupled with our novel biomanufacturing technology platform make this an ideal and complementary partnership that will not only help us bring our sustainable biosurfactants to the North American market, but also see us jointly develop and launch new ones in the future”

The companies will develop regionally sourced circular feedstocks, utilizing biobased waste and sidestreams, including plant oils from Kensing’s production. 

The partners plan to fully onshore production in the U.S., reducing transport-related emissions and creating a resilient, decentralized supply chain that aligns with evolving consumer expectations.

In addition to the AmphiStar and Kensing, will co-develop a library of 80+ sustainable biosurfactants, expanding their designer molecule platform for applications in personal care, agrochemicals, and HI&I markets. 

According to the latest study by LCA, AmphiStar’s biosurfactants demonstrate a significantly superior sustainability profile compared to conventional chemical-based surfactants and existing biosurfactant alternatives. 

The analysis revealed a four-fold reduction in CO₂ equivalent emissions, an 18-fold decrease in water depletion, and a 5.5-fold lower impact on human health. 

In addition, the biosurfactants exhibited a 15-fold lower overall environmental impact, reinforcing their potential as a transformative solution for eco-conscious formulations in personal care and industrial applications.

This initiative underscores their commitment to high-performance, upcycled biowaste formulations, free from conventional feedstock constraints, and optimized for competitive economics at scale.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.