- The new plant represents a double-digit million-euro investment.
- Emollients account for 70-80% of a product’s climate footprint.
- Switching to enzymatic esterification can reduce the climate footprint by over 60%.
- The Steinau site produces over 200 products.
New Production Plant
Evonik has inaugurated a new production plant for cosmetic emollients at its Steinau site in Germany. The plant, representing a double-digit million-euro investment, will significantly increase production capacity to meet the growing demand for sustainable cosmetic emollients.
Enzymatic Process
The emollients are manufactured using an enzymatic esterification process, which is part of Evonik's biotechnology platform. This method helps reduce the climate footprint of both Evonik and its customers' cosmetic formulations by more than 60% compared to traditional chemical processes.
Sustainability Impact
Emollients, which make up 10 to 25 percent of cosmetic emulsions, currently account for 70 to 80 percent of a product’s climate footprint. The new enzymatic process, combined with the use of renewable energy at all Care Solutions production sites, reduces the climate footprint at the Steinau plant to virtually zero from a gate-to-gate perspective.
Product Portfolio
Esters produced by enzyme catalysis have been part of Evonik's portfolio for nearly 25 years, previously manufactured at sites in Duisburg, Germany, and Shanghai, China. The Steinau site is a hub for innovation in the cosmetics industry, producing over 200 products, including biodegradable specialty surfactants and active substances.
