Biocatalytic Surfactants

Kasper Falkenberg, CEO, Norfalk

© Norfalk

Norfalk is a biotech player developing new chemicals via biocatalysis. The initial focus are bio-based surfactants, crucial ingredients in many products - from shampoos to laundry detergents. Norfalk is one of the only ones in the industry using the biocatalysis platform to produce surfactants. Kasper Falkenberg, Co-founder & CEO of Norfalk shares insights into the motivation behind the company, the value that biocatalysis brings in the chemical space and its vision for the future.

CHEManager: Why surfactants?

Kasper Falkenberg: Surfactants are essential to everyday life. We wanted to start with an ingredient that truly matters - something that people use without thinking, but that has a huge environmental impact behind the scenes. Surfactants were the perfect place to start to make a meaningful impact and scalable change.

Why biocatalysis? 

K. Falkenberg: Biocatalysis is the perfect hybrid between fermentation and traditional chemistry. It allows us to produce high performing surfactants at a competitive price to the established market.