Croda to make bio-based non-ionic surfactant in the US
Beyond beauty, Croda expects its US-made bio-based non-ionic surfactant to be useful in the automotive industry, in the cleaning industry, and in the oil industry, according to a media release about the Delaware facility’s newly expanded production capability.
Commenting on the company’s growing biotech knowhow and the move to make this particular surfactant in the States, Steve Foots, chief executive of the Croda International Plc Group, says, “At Croda, investing in sustainability and innovation is our lifeblood. We invest in the strength of our global team to develop new ideas, using renewable resources, that maximise the benefits of sustainability for each for our customers.”
“Thanks to this investment, we will now offer our customers a strong alternative in terms of renewability and performance to replace petrochemical-based ingredients in their formulations without compromising performance,” adds Foots. “This will help our customers reach their own sustainability goals and serve the needs of their customers.”
Eco brand ingredients
The new surfactant will, according to Croda’s media release, be sold as part of the company’s Eco brand portfolio of ingredients.
With the newly updated chemical production equipment, Croda in the US “is capable of producing 100 percent renewable, 100 percent bio-based non-ionic surfactants.” The emulsifying agents will be made using “bio-ethanol derived from natural feedstocks…significantly increasing the bio-based content of ethoxylated products,” according to the release.
Local business
The New Castle, Delaware, area has been the home of Croda facilities for years now, which is apparently good business for both the specialty chemical maker and the state. “Innovative companies like Croda continue to help drive Delaware’s economy, and we welcome this expansion and continued investment in our state,” Delaware Governor John Carney remarked at a ribbon cutting event last Tuesday. “This investment is further evidence that Delaware remains a competitive place to do business, grow a company and create good-paying jobs.”
And speaking of creating jobs, Croda plans to add 30 new full-time employees to its roster at the facility.
