Project description
Producing upcycled biosurfactants from 2G feedstocks
Biosurfactants offer several environmental advantages compared to conventional surfactants produced from fossil fuels and palm oil. Specifically, biosurfactants have a lower carbon footprint and reduced toxicity. As a renewable resource, they contribute to reducing deforestation and resource depletion. In terms of performance, biosurfactants are biocompatible and demonstrate high stability and selectivity. Leveraging expertise in synthetic biology, industrial biotechnology and green chemistry, the EIC-funded SurfACT project aims to produce upcycled biosurfactants through microbial fermentation of second-generation feedstocks. Using the yeast Starmerella bombicola, it will produce completely biodegradable, gentle and non-toxic biosurfactants from industrial waste and side streams that can be used in applications such as personal care, home care and agrochemicals.
Objective
AmphiStar (Est. 2021), an innovative spin-off from Ghent University and Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, represents a pivotal entity for the transition towards sustainable and bio-based surfactants. AmphiStar leverages its know-how in synthetic biology, industrial biotechnology, and green chemistry to develop upcycled biosurfactants (BS) through microbial fermentation of waste feedstocks (second-generation or 2G). This innovation addresses urgent environmental challenges, such as deforestation, GHG emissions, biodiversity loss and resource depletion, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and palm oil for surfactant production.
The company has secured over €12m Euro in funding through EU-CBE projects (Waste2Func, SurfsUP), regional grants (VLAIO, SPRIN-D), and VC funds (ECBF, Qbic, FFTF), hence has solidified its position as emerging leader in the sector.
AmphiStar’s patented technology platform utilizes a.o. the yeast Starmerella bombicola to produce fully biodegradable, mild and non- (eco)toxic BS from 2G feedstocks such as industrial waste- and side streams. These products cater to the growing needs of personal care, home care, and agrochemical sectors. The technology enables efficient production (titers >200 g/L and productivities of >2 g/L.h) and the production of novel BS with unique features, including stability, mildness, foaming, gelling, emulsification and exceptional degreasing efficiency.
With a TAM of 69bn Euro and a SAM of 4.6bn Euro, of which AmphiStar's technology could capture 5% through the operation of commercial production plants in co-location with waste producers/collectors. Using 2G feedstocks, AmphiStar reduces CO2 emissions from surfactant production over 70%, contributing to the targets of the European Green Deal and to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 8, 9 ,12, 13 and 15.
AmphiStar is set to transform the surfactant industry, promoting a circular, sustainable economy with its eco-friendly, mild and costeffective solutions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9052 GENT
Belgium
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.