Biotechnology and Its Role in Sustainable Design

The speciality chemical industry is fast moving away from using depleting resources and energy intensive, environmentally compromising processes. The focus is on sustainable raw materials and greener, cleaner and safer manufacturing methods. With our heritage in naturally derived products we are at the forefront of this evolution.

Late last year, we published a technical whitepaper entitled “Biotechnology and its Role in Sustainable Design”, describing the field of Biotechnology and why it stood out to us amongst the array of approaches to achieving sustainable design. A path offering many promising opportunities in the future, we have dramatically expanded the biotechnology facilities at our Ditton manufacturing site in the UK over recent years. Click here to find out more about biotechnology and download our whitepaper

Beautifully Immunised Against Time

Our heritage in naturally derived ingredients is embedded in the sustainability of our product innovations, such as Resistem™, a natural molecule recently developed using Plant Cell Biotechnology by our French research, development and manufacturing operation, Sederma.

This technology uses plant cells to produce a range of natural molecules with unique performance characteristics. Culturing these cells has a number of benefits, but the most significant is the preservation of the environment, as the process can start from a very small fragment of plant leaf or root. The culturing of plant cells does not require fertilisers, pesticides or land use and can be done at any time of the year to create plant stem-cells, such as that within the anti-ageing product, Resistem.

Green That Stays Clean

Our Home Care division recently launched a new additive for hard surface cleaners called ModiSurf™ Clarity. By forming a protective layer on surfaces such as glass, ModiSurf Clarity repels limescale and reduces the tendency of surfaces to mist up.

Unlike most alternative products, 60% of the ingredients within ModiSurf Clarity are renewable raw materials, which is much higher than most alternative products and it is also biodegradable. Since it remains effective for longer than conventional products, consumers use less of a cleaning product containing ModiSurf Clarity, resulting in a reduction in the quantity of chemicals washed down the drain. As a result, this innovative additive for hard surface cleaners provides both performance and environmental benefits for the consumer.

Smooth Runnings

Perfad™ 3000 and Perfad 3050, recently launched by our Lubricants team, are unique organic friction modifiers both in terms of their chemistry and their performance. Based on specialised polymer chemistry, they deliver outstandingly low friction properties that are key to increasing fuel efficiency, reducing CO₂ emissions and engine wear, as well as extending the durability of engine equipment. A small improvement in individual vehicle fuel efficiency has a dramatic impact on total fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Natural Treasures

Our NatraGem™ technology platform has been exceptionally well received in a number of markets due to its green profile and ability to outperform non-renewable alternatives.

In 2011, our Personal Care team launched a number of new additions to the NatraGem range of solubilisers and emulsifiers. Based on renewable raw materials that are preservative free and made from 100% renewable raw materials, these products offer a natural alternative to traditional products derived from petrochemicals.

All products in the current range are approved "natural" by Ecocert and are cold processable, reducing the energy requirements for our customers whilst continuing to deliver exceptional performance. This in turn provides consumers with the opportunity to purchase products that will not have a negative impact upon the environment without compromising on quality.

Eradicating Shark Squalane

Squalane is a widely used and important ingredient in many prestige cosmetics. It is supplied from two sources, shark and vegetable oil. Squalane derived from shark is unethical and unsustainable, which is why we at Croda ensure that we only manufacture Squalane from 100% vegetable sources.

Until recently there was no satisfactory method for categorically determining the origin of Squalane (shark or vegetable) or the presence of animal derived product when both sources are blended. Working with others in the industry, we aided the introduction of a new industry test method that now makes it possible to distinguish between vegetable and shark derived Squalane.

This analysis can be used to detect adulteration of vegetable derived Squalane with that of shark origin and can be applied to both raw materials and finished cosmetic formulations. This method clearly identifies the source of Squalane and will prevent shark material being incorrectly traded as vegetable origin and also prevent the blending of both types. As a result, this will serve to help remove shark Squalane from cosmetics and help protect endangered species.