Belgian biotechnology firm AmphiStar has received an additional €2.5m ($2.9m) from SPRIND, Germany’s Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, to speed up the move to continuous manufacturing of its microbial biosurfactants.
The company’s platform applies synthetic biology and microbial fermentation to produce performance ingredients using upcycled bio-based waste and side streams.
AmphiStar says that its biosurfactants are made without fossil or palm-derived inputs and are positioned as an alternative to conventional surfactants.
According to the company, the SPRIND backing will support further development of its continuous fermentation process and help bring to market new biosurfactant molecules from its growing library.
All products are derived via microbial upcycling of bio-based waste into ingredients intended for commercial use.
AmphiStar COO and co-founder Sophie Roelants said: “This renewed SPRIND support demonstrates strong confidence in AmphiStar’s vision and technological potential. The funding will help us to optimise our continuous fermentation process further and unlock the next phase of commercialisation, bringing truly sustainable, waste-based biosurfactants closer to mainstream markets.”
AmphiStar CEO Pierre-Franck Valentin added: “It is an honour to be recognised as one of the final five participants in Stage 3 of the SPRIND Challenge, following the challenging and thorough assessment conducted by the expert jury.
“This funding strengthens our ability to deliver high-performance, circular ingredients that reduce environmental impact and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy.”
Earlier this month, AmphiStar and Caldic announced an exclusive agreement for Caldic to distribute and promote AmphiStar’s 100% upcycled biosurfactants for personal care applications across Europe.
As part of their partnership, Caldic and AmphiStar committed to working together to bring biosurfactants into widespread use as eco-friendly, gentle and high-performing ingredients for personal care products.
That deal followed a June partnership with US-based Kensing, under which AmphiStar’s biosurfactants will be distributed in North America, with manufacturing to follow at a later stage.
