AmphiStar secures USD 14.6M to boost sustainable personal care ingredient production 

BELGIUM – Amphistar, a Belgian-based biotechnology innovator, has secured €12.5 million (USD 14.6 million) in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC), marking a milestone for the company’s mission to revolutionize the personal care industry with eco-friendly biosurfactants and bio-based ingredients.

The funding package comprises a USD 2.9 million grant and a USD 11.7 million equity investment.

This financial boost will enable AmphiStar to scale up the production of its clean biosurfactants, particularly for use in personal care products.

In addition, this investment will accelerate the commercial launch of AmphiStar’s flagship ingredient, AmphiCare, which is produced from upcycled biowaste and is set to enter the North American market.

Sophie Roelants, COO and co-founder of AmphiStar, stated, “The EIC funding will enable us to scale the production of a first novel biosurfactant from our biosurfactant platform technology and enable its market penetration.”

“Sustainability is important to many consumers, especially in personal care, and many formulators are listening and hence looking for a sustainable alternative.”

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

AmphiStar’s proprietary platform uses microbial fermentation to convert bio-based waste and agricultural byproducts into high-performance biosurfactants, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil-fuel-derived surfactants.

The company’s technology avoids the use of virgin crops such as palm oil, reducing deforestation and land use while supporting a circular economy.

These ingredients are designed to meet the demands of formulators seeking mild, skin-safe, and environmentally friendly ingredients for personal care applications.

Recently, Amphistar 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. 

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