Celtic Renewables Supplies Evonik With Bio-Based Chemicals

Announced by Scottish green chemical producer Celtic Renewables, the company has partnered with specialty chemicals company Evonik to supply bio-based chemicals. 

For use in cosmetic manufacturing, Evonik will use Celtic Renewables’ bio-butanol to produce ECOHANCE® Soft BOL – a sustainable emollient for cosmetics and personal care products. 

Combined with its formulation expertise, the end product will meet both performance and environmental expectations.

What is bio-butanol?

Celtic Renewables’ bio-butanol comes entirely from locally sourced feedstock including whisky pot ale and rejected potatoes at its biorefinery in Scotland. 

Bio-butanol is a 4-carbon biomass-derived alcohol with higher energy content, lower vapour pressure and better water resistance than ethanol. Under the Renewable Fuel Standard, corn-derived biobutanol achieves a 20% emission reduction.

“The butanol we get from Celtic Renewables fits perfectly with what we need. Our customers really appreciate the cosmetic emollient that we make with this raw material - we are able to achieve great sensory, texture and touch,” says Wolfgang Goertz, Vice President Cosmetic Solutions at Evonik.

Changing demand in the cosmetic industry

Continuously changing, the demands in the cosmetics and personal care industry are increasingly seeking sustainable ingredients that don’t compromise on performance. 

Searching for both functionality and meaning in ingredients, waste-derived feedstock demonstrates how science, sustainability and storytelling can come together to deliver next-generation cosmetic ingredients.

The materials create a tangible link between sustainability and everyday products, and Evonik’s scientific approach ensures measurable outcomes.

“Currently, fossil-based chemicals are used in a range of cosmetic applications, with everything from face creams to lip gloss including them as active ingredients in the manufacturing process. By switching to bio-based alternatives, the emissions of these everyday cosmetics can be cut by up to 60%, without consumers having to change their purchasing habits and with very little impact on the manufacturing process,” says Bettina Brierly, Chief Commercial Officer at Celtic Renewables.

“Partnerships like the one we have with Evonik are critical for accelerating the cosmetic industry’s transition to a more sustainable model. They’re true first movers in the space, and those who slow on the uptake of bio-based chemicals will be left struggling to transition.”

Beyond carbon reduction

Dedicated to powering businesses with superior innovations and technologies, Evonik’s sustainability goals go beyond carbon reduction. 

Going beyond chemistry, Evonik encourages transparency, courage, creativity and the determination to work with partners to positively influence the lives of present and future generations.  

Both companies are exploring further applications of Celtic Renewables’ bio-based chemicals for use in other sustainably created cosmetics.