Evonik and Celtic Renewables partner to make ECOHANCE Soft BOL from bio-butanol
- Evonik is using bio-butanol from Celtic Renewables to produce ECOHANCE® Soft BOL, a sustainable emollient for cosmetics and personal care.
- Celtic’s bio-butanol is produced at its Scottish biorefinery from locally sourced feedstocks such as whisky pot ale and rejected potatoes.
- Celtic Renewables states switching fossil-based chemicals to bio-based alternatives can cut everyday cosmetics’ emissions by up to 60%.
- Both companies are exploring additional applications for Celtic’s bio-based chemicals in sustainably created cosmetics.
Partnership and product
Evonik is using bio-butanol supplied by Celtic Renewables to produce ECOHANCE® Soft BOL, positioned as a sustainable emollient for cosmetics and personal care formulations. Evonik combines the raw material with its formulation expertise to meet performance and environmental requirements.
Feedstocks and origin
Celtic Renewables supplies bio-butanol derived entirely from locally sourced feedstocks at its Scottish biorefinery, including whisky pot ale and rejected potatoes, with mention of other waste streams such as olive oil residues.
Emissions and market context
Celtic’s chief commercial officer Bettina Brierly says replacing fossil-based chemicals with bio-based alternatives can cut the emissions of everyday cosmetics by up to 60%, helping address Scope 3 challenges without major changes to consumer behavior or manufacturing processes. Evonik highlights transparency and traceability from raw material origin to finished product as part of its sustainability goals.
Performance and next steps
Evonik’s vice president Wolfgang Goertz notes the Celtic butanol delivers the desired sensory, texture and touch properties in the emollient. Both companies are assessing further applications of Celtic’s bio-based chemicals for additional sustainably created cosmetics.
Source: Celtic Renewables