Betulin - Biobased surfactants
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Betensid AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 481 439 |
| Project duration | November 2022 - January 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Bioinnovation |
| Call | BioInnovation: Hypothesis testing step 1 - Innovative project with higher risk |
Important results from the project
The project aims to develop new bio-based surfactants from Betulin, a by-product from the forest and pulp industry. Betulin has been efficiently extracted and purified from birch bark and used to produce various types of bio-based surfactants. These substances have been evaluated on various properties and have been successfully formulated into cosmetics and skin care products. The patented technology, the commercial potential and initial business contacts have been verified in the project.
Expected long term effects
New bio-based surfactants have been successfully produced from a by-product of the forest and pulp industry in Sweden and formulated for cosmetics and skin care products. The commercial potential and initial business activities have been verified in the project. A new bio-based value chain has been created from a bio-waste to value-added bio-based industrial products, which can contribute to increasing sustainability and the bioeconomy.
Approach and implementation
The project has been carried out as planned by participating parties but also in collaboration with external companies that may be potential customers or future partners. The new extraction and purification process will be patented. Derived surfactants have been successfully formulated for cosmetics and skin care products. A PCT patent has been filed on the results obtained. The commercial potential of the project has been verified.