According to a study by Novozyme, less than 15% of detergent raw materials are renewable and biodegradable. The rest pollute water sources and harm surrounding wildlife. On the other hand, bio-based detergents are completely eco-friendly and gentler on the skin.
Bio-based detergents will be worth $13.55 billion by 2030, accounting for 15.8% of the total detergents market share. This growth is primarily driven by growing consumer demand for sustainable and safe cleaning products, government promotion, and R&D investments.
Government initiatives like EU detergents legislation have emerged to reduce water pollution caused by poorly biodegradable detergents. These legislations restrict and ban specific compounds, like phosphates, in detergents and the companies that manufacture such formulations.
In addition to being sustainable, bio-based detergents can work in temperatures as low as 20°C, whereas typical formulations require closer to 50°C to activate properly. This property can contribute to energy savings- a perk one would typically not expect from a detergent.
This report showcases innovators making new, promising formulations in bio-based detergents.
Borregaard’s new formulation doesn’t need lab synthesis.
Borregaard has successfully created a sustainable and economical substitute for costly laboratory-produced chemical dispersants using Lignin derivatives, plant tissues found in wood and bark. They discovered and patented a formulation of infusing the lignin derivative with sulfuric acid (sulfonation degree 4.5% to 14% w/w) and carboxylate (6% and 30% w/w) content, which enhances the anti-soiling and anti-redeposition properties in detergent formulations.
The main advantage of this formulation is that it doesn’t need laboratory synthesis. It can be directly obtained from wood pulp. Combining the lignin derivative with carboxymethyl cellulose reduces the detergent’s viscosity and prevents dirt redeposition onto fabrics during laundry.
Borregaard spends around $19 million annually on R&D initiatives. The company has gained recognition and support from the European Union, Innovation Norway, and the Norwegian Research Council.
Read more: Uses for Artificial Intelligence in the Textile Industry.
Lea Nature’s natural skincare formula for detergents.
Lea Nature has created a detergent composition using natural sources, completely free from palm oil derivatives and sulfates, known to be common triggers of skin irritation and allergies. This patented composition incorporates surfactants derived from seeds, coconut oil, Marseille, and black soap as effective washing agents.
It contains aloe vera extract that serves as a dermo-protective agent, further enhancing the product’s skin-friendly properties.
Lea Nature is one of the leading French donors of the 1% for the Planet Club, an international initiative supported by 1,200 companies that donate 1% of their total sales to support 3,000 environmental conservation nonprofits. They had donated over €18.8 million by the end of 2022.
The Path Ahead
Market research from Mordor Intelligence indicates that the Asia Pacific region will be the largest market for bio-based detergent products, followed by the rest of the world. Aside from residential customers, the manufacturing and transportation sectors in China, India, and other APAC countries are experimenting with newer, bio-based cleaning solutions. This segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR due to increased industrialization in the coming years.
In addition to bio-based detergents, waterless cosmetics are well on their way to becoming a multi-billion-dollar trend in 2026 and beyond.
Waterless Cosmetics
