Holiferm and Organica UK merge to scale biosurfactant production
Organica UK was advised by Debretts and Franklins, while Holiferm was advised by Brown Rudnic.
UK – Holiferm and Organica UK have announced a strategic combination that unites biosurfactant innovation with finished-product formulation and manufacturing, creating an end-to-end biotechnology platform for sustainable home, personal care, and industrial applications.
The transaction, which is strengthened by a continued commercial partnership with FMCG investor Sadorp, positions the merged entity as a UK-based biochemicals powerhouse spanning ingredient discovery, advanced applications development, product manufacturing, and route-to-market commercialisation.
By integrating Holiferm’s nature-derived biosurfactant technology with Organica’s expertise in biodegradable, non-hazardous cleaning formulations, the combined business offers global customers a single source for science-led ingredient innovation through to finished-product development and manufacturing.
This vertical integration is designed to shorten development cycles, improve cost efficiency, and expand the availability of high-performance, fossil-free alternatives to conventional petrochemical surfactants and cleaning chemistries.
Chris Arthur, Owner of Organica UK, stated, “Joining forces with Holiferm allows us to combine our heritage in high-quality formulation with their groundbreaking biomanufacturing technology.”
“It is a natural partnership that provides our customers with even better, more sustainable cleaning solutions, while maintaining the trusted service and relationships they have come to expect.”
Holiferm was founded in 2018 as a spin-out from The University of Manchester Innovation Factory and operates proprietary fermentation-based production of nature-derived biosurfactants from R&D facilities at Trafford Park in Manchester and commercial manufacturing in Wallasey, Merseyside.
The company employs around 60 people and focuses on sustainable biochemical ingredients for home care, personal care, and industrial applications.
Organica UK, founded in 1998, specialises in the formulation and large-scale manufacturing of biodegradable, non-hazardous household laundry and cleaning products from a dedicated production site in Wallasey that sits adjacent to Holiferm’s manufacturing plant.
Organica employs approximately 67 people and supplies established UK and international brands with sustainable cleaning solutions, and the two companies have operated side by side since 2023 with plans to continue from neighbouring sites to enable shared infrastructure, joint innovation programmes, and scalable production expansion.
Sadorp, a global FMCG and CPG investor and supplier founded in 2024 and headquartered in Christchurch, UK, with offices in Hong Kong, South Africa, and the United States, remains an integral commercial partner to the combined business by contributing retailer relationships, product-development discipline, and supply-chain expertise to strengthen the path from formulation to retail shelf.
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