In New York, International Flavors & Fragrances has introduced a technology platform that enables the development of biobased materials on a large scale and addresses a growing demand for environmentally-friendly, high-performance biopolymers.
Using The Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials technology allows scientists to integrate the functionalities of petroleum-based polymers directly into biopolymer materials and to customize and fine-tune polysaccharides for performance tailored to specific applications.
Historically, biomaterials derived from renewable raw materials have faced limitations in terms of performance, hindering their widespread adoption. IFF’s DEB technology overcomes these limitations by using advanced biotechnology to create structurally diverse polysaccharides, similar to those found in nature, but with the consistency and accuracy typically associated with traditional industrial polymers. These advanced tailored biomaterials are produced using plant-based sugars, water, and enzymes, offering control over glycosidic linkage, molecular weights, and morphology.
“From my perspective, this is one of the most innovative technology platforms to launch industry-wide in the last 15 years,” said Wayne Ashton, VP of Home and Personal Care at IFF.