Evonik Builds Rhamnolipids Plant in Slovakia
Germany’s Evonik is investing a three-digit million-euro sum to build a new plant for producing bio-based and fully biodegradable rhamnolipids in Slovakia. The facility is due to go on stream in two years.
Produced via the fermentation of sugar, rhamnolipids serve as active ingredients in diverse applications, including cleaning agents, detergents and personal care products, such as shower gels. According to Evonik, the rhamnolipids’ biodegradation makes them a sustainable alternative to surfactants made from fossil carbon and tropical fats, also offering excellent foaming properties.
The investment at the site in Slovenská Ľupča builds on Evonik’s partnership with major consumer goods group Unilever, which started in 2019, also allowing the Essen-based group to further expand its position in the biosurfactants market.
Contractor McDermott has won the contract to provide engineering, procurement and construction management services on the “pioneering project.”
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
