Croda on renewable manufacture
The company has announced a further USD 170 million investment in renewable manufacturing, aiming to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and the carbon footprint of its new 100% bio-based surfactant range.
It forms part of Croda’s ECO project, centred in the US, whereby the company is aiming to create 100% bio-based ranges across its ingredients portfolio.
The range, Croda states, “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.”
The company says that the next milestone in its ECO project will be the installation of the exterior infrastructure.
Tackling environmental concerns
Croda explains that the ECO project, including this latest investment in bio-based surfactants, looks to meet consumer concern for environmental issues such as climate change.
“Finding an alternative for a key petrochemical based source will have a positive environmental impact and help impact the sustainability profile of everyday products from face creams to toothpaste to paint to laundry detergent,” the company asserts.
Rick Hanson, Managing Director, Performance Products, says: “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.”
ECO project
Croda’s ECO project looks to respond to consumer demand for naturals and sustainability, with the company noting that its impact will reach across various industries.
“This new range of 100% bio-based products will be used in many applications, including lubricants, seat foams and coatings in the automobile industry; air- and floor-care products in the cleaning industry; and drilling fluid in the oil industry; as well as cosmetics and hair care products in the personal care industry,” it states.
Craig Aiken, Sales Director, Personal Care, says: “We are pleased to create the next generation of these ingredients by revolutionising the product technology, which is known to be the most effective and efficient in the industry, to meet modern demands for sustainability.”
The ECO Project is expected to be completed in Q4 of 2017.
