IFF launched its Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials (DEB) technology for the development of biobased materials at scale. Designed to deliver meaningful sustainability benefits – with performance comparable or superior to fossil-based materials – DEB technology helps to address growing preferences for environmentally-friendly, high-performance biopolymers.
The technology platform offers manufacturers the opportunity to meet regulatory changes and mounting consumer demands to replace traditional fossil-based synthetic polymers. DEB is poised to lead the rapidly progressing bio-revolution by unlocking purposeful and sustainable innovation across various applications and products in home care, personal care, fabric care and industrial markets.
“With the DEB technology platform, scientists can now build the functions of petroleum-based polymers into biopolymer materials directly – customizing and fine-tuning polysaccharides to enable sustainable performance enhancements within the chosen application,” said Wayne Ashton, VP of Home and Personal Care at IFF. “From my perspective, this is one of the most innovative technology platforms to launch industry-wide in the last 15 years.”
Biomaterials derived from renewable raw materials are becoming a preferred option for many customers as they can be considerably more sustainable than their traditional, fossil-based counterparts. However, historically, biomaterials have demonstrated performance weaknesses, limiting their adoption and market penetration.
IFF’s cutting-edge DEB technology utilizes advanced biotechnology to create unique, structurally diverse polysaccharides like those found in nature, but at scale, with an accuracy and consistency typically only found in traditional industrial polymers. Its new family of advanced tailored biomaterials uses only plant-based sugars, water and enzymes; to open up access to a range of materials with glycosidic linkage control, designed-in molecular weights and morphology.
The promising potential of this innovative technology platform has already been demonstrated across several industries such as personal care applications, home care applications, and industrial applications.
IFF embeds its commitment to circular design across its business as a guiding principle toward creating responsible, sustainable, and closed-loop systems in which materials are reused and waste becomes a resource. The company continues to seek partnerships with forward-thinkers to drive the bio-revolution.
