Sustainable Ingredients in Cleaning Products
Future Origins, a joint venture based in the United States focused on commercializing sustainable alternatives to essential ingredients in everyday cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products, officially launched today at the American Cleaning Institute’s Innovation Showcase.
Founded by leading industrial biotechnology companies Geno, Unilever, Kao, and L’Oréal, Future Origins aims to produce and manufacture high-volume sustainable ingredients for commonly used surfactants found in laundry detergent and face wash.
The venture’s product development efforts have already achieved significant milestones. Recently completed pilot-scale fermentation runs, totaling 63,000 liters, have yielded several tons of material. A portion of this material has been further processed to produce hundreds of kilograms of detergent alcohols, which are now being shipped to commercial partners for various applications.
These runs have provided crucial data essential for designing Future Origins’ first commercial plant, which is anticipated to commence operations in less than five years.
John Gugel, CEO of Future Origins, highlighted the convergence of biotechnology innovation and the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives, supported by growth in the United States biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors. He emphasized the potential environmental benefits of innovative biotech products and the importance of regulatory compliance and corporate commitments to deforestation-free supply chains.
Richard Slater, Chief Research and Development Officer at Unilever, emphasized the significance of leveraging science to transition towards sustainable ingredient sourcing routes for long-term sustainability, positioning biotechnology as pivotal in aligning business goals with environmental stewardship.
Masahiro Katayose, Senior Executive Officer and President of Chemical Business at Kao, outlined the company’s goal of producing more sustainable ingredients for home and personal care products through partnerships like Future Origins, promoting responsible raw material sourcing and supply chain transparency.
Mohamed Kanji, Chief Open Innovation Officer and Operational Excellence for North America at L’Oréal, expressed pride in Future Origins’ achievements and highlighted the collaboration’s role in driving sustainability in the beauty industry. He underscored the importance of partnerships in advancing innovation and environmental responsibility.
As product development continues, Future Origins plans to commence construction of its first commercial-scale manufacturing plant by 2025, with full-scale production expected within three years thereafter, by 2028.
Dr. Priti Pharkya, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at Future Origins, invited industry partners interested in accessing sustainable products and reserving capacity in the commercial-scale plant to collaborate with the venture.
Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
