AmphiStar and Kensing Announce Strategic Partnership to Bring Upcycled Biosurfactants to the North American Personal Care Market
Partnership delivers localized access to 100% upcycled biosurfactants with significantly reduced environmental impact, while advancing novel designer molecule development.
Ghent, BE / Kankakee, IL – 30 May 2025
Belgian biotech innovator AmphiStar, a pioneer in 100% upcycled microbial biosurfactants and Kensing, a leading North American producer of high-purity surfactants, and the global leader in upcycled plant-based vitamin E and sterols, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver sustainable, next-generation biosurfactants to the North American personal care market.
Driving Sustainable Innovation in Personal and Home Care
As part of this collaboration, AmphiStar’s next-generation biosurfactants, produced by microbial fermentation of repurposed agri-food side streams, will be launched into the North American market by Kensing in an exclusive partnership. Leveraging its deep surfactant expertise and established market access, Kensing will play a critical role in driving adoption across the Personal Care and HI&I Industries.
Kensing will work with AmphiStar to develop regionally sourced circular feedstocks from biobased waste and sidestreams, such as plant oils from Kensing’s production, with a near-term plan to fully onshore production in the US. This will not only reduce transport-related emissions but will also allow the partners to build a resilient, decentralised supply chain aligned with evolving customer expectations. The products offer performance for formulators seeking to develop mild and sustainable formulations. They can be used as emulsifiers and co-surfactants in body lotions, creams, shampoos, body wash, make-up remover and other products.
Co-Development of Designer Upcycled Biosurfactants
Kensing and AmphiStar will also co-develop AmphiStar’s recently launched library of 80+ sustainable and unique ‘designer’ biosurfactant platform technology, with the shared goal of further developing and commercializing high-potential innovations in the personal care, agrochemical and HI&I markets.
“Kensing’s scientific expertise in formulation and production of plant-based ingredients coupled with our novel biomanufacturing technology platform make this an ideal and complementary partnership that will not only help us bring our sustainable biosurfactants to the North American market, but also see us jointly develop and launch new ones in the future”, said Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar.
“This partnership with AmphiStar reflects Kensing’s bold commitment to leapfrog into the next generation of biosurfactants,” said Serge Rogasik, President and CEO of Kensing. “By combining AmphiStar’s cutting-edge upcycled biosurfactant technology with Kensing’s industrial scale and market reach, we are unlocking a new era of high-performance biosurfactants—formulated from upcycled biowaste, free from conventional feedstock constraints, and offering both formulation versatility and the potential for highly competitive economics at scale.”
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
AmphiStar’s biosurfactants are the result of an IP-backed breakthrough technology featuring an unprecedented combination in the surfactant landscape: advanced synthetic biology, waste processing and continuous biomanufacturing principles.
By eliminating reliance on fossil feedstocks and resource-intensive crops, AmphiStar’s technology delivers a significantly enhanced and novel sustainability profile. A recent LCA study (March 2025) revealed the exceptional sustainability profile of AmphiStar’s biosurfactants compared to both conventional chemical-based and existing biosurfactants, including a four-fold reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions, an 18-fold reduction in water deprivation, a 5.5-fold lower impact on human health and a 15-fold lower overall environmental impact.
About AmphiStar
AmphiStar is a leader in the development and production of 100% upcycled microbial biosurfactants, offering sustainable and performant alternatives to conventional surfactants. Through its innovative platform technology, AmphiStar transforms bio-based waste and side streams into a portfolio of high-performance biosurfactants that are independent of fossil feedstocks, palm feedstocks or direct land use—both sustainable and cost-effective. Serving industries such as personal care, home care, agrifood and beyond, AmphiStar is committed to driving the transition toward a circular economy.
AmphiStar leverages cutting-edge synthetic biology, microbial fermentation and mild processing techniques to produce eco-friendly alternatives to the non-sustainable surfactants on the market. As a pioneer in the field, AmphiStar is proud to offer the first commercially available biosurfactants made entirely from biobased waste- and side streams setting a new standard for environmental responsibility in the surfactant industry. For more information, please visit: https://amphistar.com
About Kensing
Established in 2021, Kensing is a leading manufacturer of a comprehensive range of specialty ingredients derived from vegetable oils, including plant sterols, natural vitamin E, anionic and amphoteric surfactants, and specialty esters. As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible manufacturing and environmental stewardship, Kensing has earned both EcoVadis Gold and CDP A- recognition for its sustainability performance and climate initiatives.
Headquartered in Kankakee, IL, Kensing’s high-quality, precisely formulated ingredients serve a diverse array of customers across the home and personal care, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and agricultural markets.
To learn more or schedule a media interview, please visit: www.kensingsolutions.com
