AmphiStar's AmphiCare Upcycled Bio-based Surfactant Offers Safe, Gentle Alternative for Hair Care and Skin Care

Belgian startup AmphiStar has developed AmphiCare, a biobased surfactant composed "entirely from [upcycled] organic waste and side streams," per the company.

The company converts the agri-food processing waste using a "clean biological" process, AmphiStar claims.

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The company's platform leverages Starmerella bombicola yeast "originally isolated from bumblebee honey," per AmphiStar, to produce glycolipid biosurfactants. 

The AmphiCare surfactant is reportedly safe, mild and biodegradable and can be applied in shampoos, makeup removers and other skin care products, per AmphiStar. 

More biobased surfactants from the company will bhe launched in the future.

"AmphiCare and AmphiClean represent a significant breakthrough in the shift towards fully sustainable surfactants," says Sophie Roelants, co-founder and COO of AmphiStar. "By utilizing non-virgin feedstocks, we are not only reducing reliance on fossil and virgin bio-based feedstocks such as palm oil but also providing high-performing, scalable alternatives that meet the demands of today's personal care and home care industries. Our successful collaboration with [home care brand] Ecover, which launched a consumer product featuring our waste-based biosurfactants last year, showcases the potential of these innovative solutions and reinforces our commitment to revolutionizing the surfactant market."

"We are taking strides towards a new era in surfactant innovation," says Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar. "Our commitment to developing novel biosurfactants from waste feedstocks positions us to address the evolving needs of personal care and home care industries. With our advanced biotechnology platform, we are excited to explore new functionalities and bespoke solutions that will redefine performance standards while promoting sustainability in every application."