Novel Surfactant By BASF, Solazyme

BASF and Solazyme, Inc., a renewable microalgae oil and ingredients company, announce the launch of the first commercial surfactant derived from microalgae oil, a high performance algal betaine for use in home and personal care applications.

Commercialized by BASF under the trade name Dehyton AO 45, algal betaine is a betaine surfactant made from renewable microalgae oil. The new algal betaine is a high- performance alternative to amidopropyl betaine in products that require rich and gentle foam such as shampoos, liquid soaps, hand dishwashing liquids and other applications. Amidopropyl betaines are amphoteric surfactants increasingly used in cosmetic, toiletry and home care applications due to their vast benefits and are known to have: good detergency, good foam properties and foam stabilization, hard water compatibility, mildness to skin and hair, ability to reduce irritation of anionic systems, viscosity building, conditioning effect, stability at a broad range of pH, and excellent biodegradability.
Dehyton AO 45 is produced with Solazyme AlgaPūr Microalgae Oils.  AlgaPūr Oils are produced with Solazyme’s state-of-the-art technology in a matter of days, using a highly controlled fermentation process to convert sugarcane into oils of the highest purity and performance. AlgaPūr Microalgae Oils are produced with low carbon, water and land use impact.
 
“Consumer demand for sustainable and innovative surfactants has increased significantly, particularly in the home and personal care markets,” said Josef Koester, director marketing Home and Personal Care, Sustainability Care Chemicals, BASF North America. “Combining BASF’s chemistry expertise with Solazyme’s unique range of renewable microalgae oils allows us to deliver products that meet this demand.”

“We are excited to partner with BASF to launch the world’s first commercial microalgae-derived betaine surfactant,” said Robert Webber, chief commercialization officer, Solazyme. “BASF’s broad capabilities in chemical conversion of triglyceride oils and deep expertise in surfactants enable significant growth opportunities in the future.”