Breakthrough in Rhamnolipid Mass Production – Supra Molecular Complex improves
health & environment characteristics of cosmetics, pharmaceutical and agricultural products
• Industry first: Biotensidone with reliable technology for sustainable
feasible mass production
• Double-digit million Euros investment achieves build-up of production
capacity for 5,000 tons annual output
• Non-GMO supra molecular complex replaces chemical surfactants and
boosts active substances in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products
• Biotech achievement to reduce toxic fertilizers in agriculture and
prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal breeding (meat production)
Karlsruhe (Germany) / Zug (Switzerland), December 12, 2016 – As an industry first,
German biotech company Biotensidon GmbH has developed the capability for cost-effective
mass production of rhamnolipids, which is instrumental in improving the
health and eco characteristics of many products in several industry sectors. Due to
their positive properties, they want to gradually replace synthetic surfactants with less
positive side effects. Following Biotensidon’s technological achievement, the
company was awarded second place in Germany’s prestigious Next
Economy Award (Nature) last month. Moreover, Biotensidon’s investor has injected a double-digit million euros
tranche into the start-up. The capital influx wants to be used to
build up production capacity for an annual output of 5,000 tons of a new rhamnolipidsupra
molecular complex. This amount suffices to produce very large quantities of
antibiotics-free animal feed, environment-friendly fertilizers, detergents, de-greasing
products and fire-extinguishing foams, as well as health- and eco-friendly cosmetics
and pharmaceutical products.
Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants generated from non-pathogenic microorganisms
through fermentation. Due to their excellent characteristics, rhamnolipids are the
most effective eco-friendly and healthcare-positive biological agents, outperforming
yeast-based biosurfactants. In other words, they are a key element of efforts to green several
industry sectors. Moreover, rhamnolipids-based biosurfactants will ultimately
help reduce the use of oil from palm trees, the mass cultivation of which poses a
major problem for conserving tropical rainforests.
In combination with pyoverdines and alginates, Biotensidon’s rhamnolipids form one
of the most effective and health- and environment-positive supramolecular
complexes in the world (product name Rhapynal). Rhapynal is multifunctional and
can be used for many purposes:
• Biological emulsifier and booster in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products,
Significantly reducing the required amount of active substances
• Natural (non GMO) seed coating in crop-cultivation, for yield-increase and to
Significantly reduce the need for ecologically difficult fertilizers; biodegraded after
a few days, without residues
• Biological antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal nutrition-additive for animal breeding,
limiting or Eliminating prophylactic use of synthetic antibiotics
• Ecologically neutral soil decontamination, in Particular with oil spills.
• Fully biodegradable de-greasing product for industry and gastronomy
• Effective biological additive for foams used to extinguish wild fires, fuel fires,
water-resistant fires and fireworks.
Until now, mass production of rhamnolipids has not been feasible.
Scientific research on rhamnolipids has advanced in the new millennium but the
production methods used in laboratories are not applicable to the fermenters required
for mass production. Following several years of research, a team of biosensors
has recently developed a successful and reliable processing method.
Output is now above 30 g / liter, which makes production as cost-effective as with
synthetic surfactants.
Biotensidon
to commence construction of a full-scale bioreactor site. Production capacity
starts at 200 tons annually, advancing to 2,000 tons in 2018, to reach 5,000 tons
of rhamnolipid products by 2019.
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