CBE JU-funded SURFs UP project logo

SURFs UP

Safe and sustainable by design microbial and lignin-based biosurfactants sourced from sustainable feedstock for home, personal care and agrochemical application

Project details

Type of project
Innovation Action - Demonstration
Project focus
Bio-based chemicals
Feedstock origin
Agri-food waste
Forestry waste
Feedstock type
Crop residues
Food industry sidestreams
Lignin & wood residues
Pure sugars
Project period
1 May 2024 - 31 October 2027
Status
In progress
CBE JU Contribution
€ 7 396 501,35
Call identifier
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023

Summary

Crucial in daily life, surfactants are utilised in various sectors, including home and personal care, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and feed, beverages, chemicals, detergents, and more. However, as many are produced through chemical processes, concerns have been raised about deforestation and logistic chains. The global production volume of surfactants stands at about 18 million tonnes, with an expected turnover of 47 billion euros by 2027, driving significant economic and environmental impacts. Despite a growing demand for safe and sustainable options, only 4% of the surfactant market consists of fully bio-based surfactants. The SURFs UP project aims to address this gap by developing optimised processes for 9 second-generation biosurfactant products.

These products will be derived from renewable feedstocks, such as wood processing waste (sugars and lignin) and regional food/processing waste. The project will focus on microbial biosurfactants and chemically produced biosurfactants from lignin. Each product will undergo thorough characterisation and evaluation based on safety and sustainability criteria. The production will be scaled up, and prototypes will be formulated for home and personal care, as well as agrochemical applications. Cost-efficiency and sustainability will be prioritised throughout the project, with comprehensive economic and environmental assessments. 

Consortium map

Project coordination

  • BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW DESTELDONK GENT, Belgium

Consortium

  • UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE LIEGE, Belgium
  • CONSORZIO ITALBIOTEC MILANO, Italy
  • DBFZ DEUTSCHES BIOMASSEFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM GEMEINNUTZIGE GMBH LEIPZIG, Germany
  • AJINOMOTO OMNICHEM WETTEREN, Belgium
  • TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY Espoo, Finland
  • IST-ID ASSOCIACAO DO INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO PARA A INVESTIGACAO E O DESENVOLVIMENTO LISBOA, Portugal
  • ECOVER CO-ORDINATION CENTER MALLE, Belgium
  • FIBENOL IMAVERE OU TALLINN, Estonia
  • ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE ASSOCIACION Terrassa, Spain
  • AMPHISTAR GENT, Belgium
Partners
  • UNILEVER U.K. CENTRAL RESOURCES LIMITED LONDON, United Kingdom