Croda is celebrating a milestone for its new ECO Project; a US$170 million investment in renewable manufacturing at its Atlas Point facility (DE, USA). The expanded facility now allows the company to produce 100-percent renewable non-ionic surfactants, active emulsifying agents for use in a range of products from face creams to toothpaste to paint to laundry detergent, thus reducing reliance on fossil fuels and carbon footprint.

The new Croda’s versatile bio-ethylene oxide plant can now accept bioethanol from different renewable sources. The production of its 100% Bio-Based ECO Range of surfactants will thus allow Croda to significantly reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, compared to their petrochemically derived counterparts.

Customers are looking for products that are going to enable them to increase the renewable content of their product line and lower their environmental impact. They are looking for bio-based, renewable raw materials verses petrochemical based because people are starting to become aware of the carbon footprint of products and carbon usage.With our has equivalent performance as a petrochemical based product but with a significant sustainability benefit as they are 100% renewable, 100% bio-based and manufactured with renewable energy.” said Rick Hanson, Managing Director, Performance Products

According to Croda, the new 100% Bio-based ECO Range of ingredients will enable its customers “to meet their goals of delivering 100% renewable, high-performance products to their consumers and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels in the United States.” This new range of 100% bio-based products will be used in many applications, including cosmetics and hair care products in the personal care industry.