Page 162 - CW E-Magazine (30-1-2024)

News from Abroad

SAFE & SUSTAINABLE
Evonik’s glycolipid biosurfactants get Cefic award

German speciality chemicals firm,
Evonik, has received the ‘Responsible
Care Award’ of the European Chemical
Industry Council (Cefic) for its sustain-
able biosurfactants platform.

As the winner in the ‘Safe and Sus-
tainable Chemicals’ category, Evonik glycolipids that are commercially
was recognised for its innovative derived through a bio-fermentation pro-
glycolipid technology and strong part- cess with a low carbon footprint, using
nership examples. a responsibly sourced and 100 percent
biosurfactants at commercial scale. In renewable feedstock. In addition to
Evonik’s glycolipid biosurfactants 2022, Evonik announced a triple-digit their strong sustainability profile,
have been developed using its biotech- million-euro investment in a commer- Evonik’s glycolipids have foaming, cleans-
nology platform, which is an integral cial-scale biosurfactant plant in Slovakia. ing, and solubilizing properties that
part of the company’s life sciences There is strong market demand for make them highly suitable for personal
division Nutrition & Care. The division biosurfactants and a rapid transition to care applications such as shampoo and
is using innovative biosolutions to drive these sustainable surfactants is under- shower gel, and home care applications
a revolution in cleaning and beyond by way. However, until recently, the com- such as hand dishwashing, hard surface
closing carbon loops using biogenic mercial production of biosurfactants cleaning and laundry applications,” said
carbon as a raw material and ensuring has been very challenging due to low Mr. Yann d’Hervé, head of Evonik’s
the biodegradability of end products. yields in production processes and high Care Solutions business line.
recovery and purification costs.
Evonik lays claim to being the first Further areas of application for
to develop an IP-protected biotechno- “Evonik’s sophorolipid and rhamno- biosurfactants are currently being eva
logical process to produce rhamnolipid lipid biosurfactants are eco-friendly luated.

PRODUCT SAFETY
J&J to pay $700-mn to settle US states’ talc-marketing

probe: Report

Johnson & Johnson has come to cess to limit its exposure to talc litiga-
a tentative agreement to pay about tion. Last year, J&J had set aside about
$700-mn for settling claims by over 40 $400-mn to resolve US state consumer
US states that it wrongfully marketed protection actions as part of its broader
its talc-based baby powder, Bloomberg $8.9-bn effort to settle claims that its
News reported recently. Baby Powder and other talc products
cause cancer.
The settlement would avert poten-
tial lawsuits alleging J&J hid any links Several US states had begun con-
between the talc in its powder and vari- sumer protection actions against J&J
ous cancers, the report said. agreed on the total amount, the report before its unit LTL Management’s first
stated. bankruptcy filing in 2021 stopped those
J&J and representatives for state investigations from moving forward.
attorneys general are still working out Courts have rejected two efforts by J&J has said its talc products are safe
the specific terms of the deal but have the company to use the bankruptcy pro- and do not cause cancer.

162 Chemical Weekly January 30, 2024

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