Evonik Unveils Eco-Friendly Cosmetic Emollients Plant: A Leap Towards Sustainable Beauty
In a significant move towards sustainability in the beauty industry, Evonik has inaugurated a state-of-the-art production plant for cosmetic emollients at its Steinau, Germany site. This cutting-edge facility, representing a double-digit million-euro investment, utilizes an innovative enzymatic process to manufacture esters, marking a pivotal shift in the production of these essential cosmetic ingredients.
Expanding Capacity to Meet Growing Demand
The new plant substantially increases Evonik’s production capacity, addressing the surging customer demand for sustainable cosmetic emollients. This strategic expansion not only caters to market needs but also aligns with the company’s commitment to reducing its climate footprint and that of its customers’ cosmetic formulations.
Biotechnology at the Forefront
Leveraging its advanced biotechnology platform, Evonik produces emollients through enzymatic esterification. This process enhances the company’s biosolutions portfolio within its Nutrition & Care division, empowering the beauty and personal care industry to create products with superior sustainability profiles.
Transforming the Beauty Industry
Johann-Caspar Gammelin, president of the Nutrition & Care division at Evonik, emphasized the evolving role of emollients: “Emollients are no longer just about performance; they also need to have a robust sustainability profile. This investment helps us lower our footprint while supporting the beauty industry in its transformation – meeting the demand for more responsible, eco-friendly solutions.”
Significant Environmental Impact
Emollients, which constitute 10 to 25 percent of cosmetic emulsions, currently account for 70 to 80 percent of a product’s climate footprint. By transitioning from chemical to enzymatic esterification, Evonik can reduce the climate footprint of emollients by more than 60 percent. Furthermore, with all Care Solutions production sites powered by renewable energy, the new Steinau plant achieves a near-zero climate footprint from a gate-to-gate perspective.
A Sustainable Future for Cosmetics
This groundbreaking initiative by Evonik sets a new standard in the cosmetics industry, demonstrating that high-performance products can coexist with environmental responsibility. As consumers increasingly demand eco-friendly options, Evonik’s investment in sustainable emollients production positions the company at the forefront of the green beauty revolution, paving the way for a more sustainable future in personal care.