Evonik (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) is using Celtic Renewables’ (Grangemouth, U.K.; www.celtic-renewables.com) bio-butanol to produce ECOHANCE® Soft BOL, a sustainable emollient for cosmetics and personal care products. Combined with Evonik’s formulation expertise, the result is a final product that meets both performance and environmental expectations.
Celtic Renewables’ bio-butanol is derived entirely from locally sourced feedstocks, including whisky pot ale and rejected potatoes, at their biorefinery in Scotland. The cosmetics and personal care industry is changing, with demand increasing for more sustainable ingredients that do not compromise on performance. The cosmetics industry is increasingly searching for ingredients that have both functionality and meaning, and waste-derived feedstocks provide strong storytelling potential for customers.
Bettina Brierly, Chief Commercial Officer at Celtic Renewables, said, “The cosmetics sector faces an immense challenge reducing its Scope 3 emissions.
“Currently, fossil-based chemicals are used in a range of cosmetic applications, with everything from face creams to lip gloss including them as active ingredients in the manufacturing process.
“By switching to bio-based alternatives, the emissions of these everyday cosmetics can be cut by up to 60%, without consumers having to change their purchasing habits and with very little impact on the manufacturing process.
“Partnerships like the one we have with Evonik are critical for accelerating the cosmetic industry’s transition to a more sustainable model. They’re true first movers in the space, and those who slow on the uptake of bio-based chemicals will be left struggling to transition.
Wolfgang Goertz, Vice President Cosmetic Solutions at Evonik, added: “The butanol we get from Celtic Renewables fits perfectly with what we need. Our customers really appreciate the cosmetic emollient that we make with this raw material – we are able to achieve great sensory, texture and touch.”
Evonik’s sustainability goals go beyond carbon reduction. They include transparency and storytelling, from raw material origin to the finished product. Collaborations like the one between Evonik and Celtic Renewables are key to the future of sustainable ingredients.
Both companies are exploring further applications of Celtic Renewable’s bio-based chemicals for use in other sustainably created cosmetics.