Bioethanol from agri residues used in cleaning agents for first time

Clariant, a Swiss specialty chemicals producer, and Werner & Mertz (W&M), the producer of Frosch cleaning products, has launched a project which expands the possible applications of bioethanol.

Clariant’s sunliquid cellulosic ethanol – made from agricultural residues such as straw – will be processed into detergents, cleansers and cleaning agents at W&M’s facilities.

W&M has been using sunliquid in Frosch Bio-Spirit multisurface cleaner since the beginning of the year.

The ethanol, also called bio-spirit, was supplied at the end of 2015 from Clariant’s pre-commercial plant in Straubing, Germany, where up to 1,000 tonnes of cellulosic ethanol are produced annually using the sunliquid process.

“Bio-based chemicals from local straw, such as cellulosic ethanol, are truly sustainable and advanced active ingredients,” said Andre Koltermann, head of the biotechnology group at Clariant.

“The collaboration with Werner & Mertz demonstrates once again that products based on agricultural residues, which are produced without the use of fossil fuels and are not in competition with food supply, are also relevant in the consumer goods sector.”

 Werner & Mertz, the family-run company based in Mainz, also welcomes the collaboration.

With its “recyclate initiative” for packaging and the Frosch initiative for “locally-grown active ingredients,” the company has already been engaging in pioneering work in the field of sustainability for some time.

Cellulosic ethanol

Alcohol has been known for its grease and dirt-dissolving properties for decades, and through the use of cellulosic alcohol in cleaning products these properties are coupled with sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing.

Due to its virtually carbon-neutral production, cellulosic ethanol saves up to 95 % of CO₂ emissions compared to synthetic ethanol from fossil resources.

At the same time, it is produced from local residues and does not compete with food production or arable land.