AmphiStar receives USD 2.9M funding to advance biosurfactants production

The consistent backing by SPRIND underscores AmphiStar’s role as a key innovator in biotech-driven sustainable ingredient manufacturing.

BELGIUM – Belgian biotech startup AmphiStar has secured an additional €2.5 million(USD 2.88 million) in funding from Germany’s Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) to accelerate the scalable manufacturing of its sustainable microbial biosurfactants. 

This marks the third consecutive SPRIND award for AmphiStar, bringing total funding from the agency to €6 million (USD 6.91 million), demonstrating strong confidence in the company’s pioneering approach to the circular bioeconomy and sustainable chemistry.

AmphiStar specializes in producing high-performance, bio-based surfactants entirely derived from upcycled agricultural and food waste through advanced synthetic biology, microbial fermentation, and mild processing techniques. 

Their proprietary continuous fermentation technology enables the transformation of organic waste into practical, palm- and fossil-free surfactants used across personal care, home care, and agrifood sectors. 

This innovation eliminates reliance on unsustainable feedstocks and avoids direct land use, thereby offering an eco-friendly alternative that supports low-carbon and circular-economy goals.

The newly awarded capital will facilitate further development and scale-up of AmphiStar’s proprietary fermentation platform and support commercialization of an expanding library of proprietary biosurfactant molecules. 

The company’s expanding international footprint includes partnerships with North American distributor Kensing and European specialty chemical company Caldic, positioning AmphiStar at the forefront of clean, circular biosurfactant ingredients in the global market.

CEO Pierre-Franck Valentin emphasized that this funding bolsters AmphiStar’s mission to deliver sustainable, high-performance surfactants that reduce environmental footprints and drive the industry’s transition towards greener, circular solutions. 

The consistent backing by SPRIND underscores AmphiStar’s role as a key innovator in biotech-driven sustainable ingredient manufacturing for multiple industries striving for climate-friendly and resource-efficient products.​

Amphistar recently 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.

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