From larvae to laundry: Sasol introduces insect oil-based surfactant

0
9

In Houston, Sasol has introduced a surfactant made from oil obtained from black soldier fly larvae.

Trade named LIVINEX IO 7, the insect-based surfactant meets industry demand for bio-circular, palm and deforestation-free surfactants. It is a drop-in replacement for conventional C12-14-based chemistry and the first nonionic surfactant of its kind in the fabric, home care, industrial and institutional cleaning markets.

Insect oil is a by-product of a process to make more sustainable proteins for animal feed and can be used to replace traditional oleochemistry.