Celtic Renewables has partnered with Evonik to bring a new bio-based ingredient to cosmetics. The material is called ECOHANCE Soft BOL, a sustainable emollient used in skincare and personal care products.
The key ingredient is bio-butanol. Celtic Renewables produces it at its biorefinery in Scotland. The feedstocks are unusual. They include whisky pot ale and rejected potatoes, both waste streams from other industries.
Evonik uses that bio-butanol to formulate the finished emollient. The company says it delivers strong sensory qualities, including texture and touch, matching what cosmetic brands expect from their ingredients.
The cosmetics industry is under pressure to cut emissions. Many everyday products still rely on fossil-based chemicals, from face creams to lip gloss. Bettina Brierly, chief commercial officer at Celtic Renewables, said switching to bio-based alternatives can cut emissions by up to 60%. She noted this happens without changing consumer habits or disrupting manufacturing processes.
Brierly called the partnership a critical step for the industry’s shift toward sustainability. She said companies that delay adopting bio-based chemicals risk falling behind.
Wolfgang Goertz, vice president of cosmetic solutions at Evonik, said the bio-butanol suits Evonik’s needs well. He pointed to strong customer feedback on the ingredient’s texture and feel.
Beyond emissions, Evonik is focused on transparency. The company wants to trace ingredients from raw material to finished product. Waste-derived feedstocks, whether from potatoes, whisky or olive oil, offer a clear story for that kind of tracing.
Both companies are now looking at other ways to apply Celtic Renewables’ bio-based chemicals across the wider cosmetics industry.
