Chemicals are fundamental to manufacturing a wide range of products across cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, fertilizers, and more. Yet most of these compounds still depend on fossil fuels or palm oil, resulting in high emissions, energy-intensive production, and environmental hazards.
The industry is now progressing toward low-carbon and circular alternatives. However, technical breakthroughs alone are not enough. Scaling new materials requires commercial agreements that can integrate sustainable inputs into existing supply chains.
This article highlights commercial agreements in speciality chemicals that are driving this shift. These partnerships are replacing fossil-based feedstocks with bio-based options, converting waste streams into valuable chemical inputs, and reducing the need for virgin materials. They demonstrate how targeted collaboration is moving sustainable chemistry from isolated pilots to commercial deployment, setting the stage for a more resilient and low-carbon chemical industry.
Distribution Agreement between Kensing and Amphistar
Challenge
Surfactants are essential ingredients in personal care and household products, acting as detergents, emulsifiers, and foaming agents. Demand continues to rise as consumers prioritise hygiene and wellness, especially after the pandemic.
However, most commercial surfactants are produced from fossil feedstocks or palm oil, both of which carry significant environmental burdens. Synthetic surfactants are environmentally toxic and non-biodegrade, and linked to land-use pressures and high carbon emissions. The market urgently needs sustainable, high-performance alternatives that reduce environmental impact without compromising functionality.
Solution
Belgian-based AmphiStar and US-based specialty ingredients producer Kensing have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of next-generation biosurfactants in the North American personal care market. AmphiStar uses microbial fermentation and synthetic biology to create biosurfactants derived entirely from upcycled biowaste such as used cooking oil and waste sugars offering a fully circular, fossil-free alternative. Under the agreement, Kensing will commercialize these biosurfactants and develop regionally sourced circular feedstocks, with plans to onshore production in the United States by 2030.
Outcome
This collaboration reduces dependence on fossil fuels and palm-based ingredients. It creates a circular supply chain that converts waste into high-performance biosurfactants. The products are mild, multifunctional, and suitable for sustainable personal care formulations. The partnership supports lower emissions and accelerates the shift toward cleaner specialty chemicals.
Strategic Partnership between Selena Group and Covestro
Challenge
Buildings account for 32% of global energy use and generate 34% of global CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing cement releases emissions from limestone calcination and fossil fuel combustion, and demands significant water use. As global construction grows, the sector requires scalable, low-carbon alternatives that reduce embodied emissions without compromising performance or usability on job sites.
Solution
German materials manufacturer Covestro and Poland’s Selena Group have formed a strategic agreement to replace traditional cement mortar with a polyurethane foam adhesive. The product, Tytan Professional® Adhesive for bricklaying, is enabled by Covestro’s Desmodur® CQ bio-attributed MDI, produced from plant-based waste. This chemical called methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) offers a low-carbon feedstock for a foam adhesive that applies easily, cures quickly, and forms a durable bond. The system operates at temperatures from -5°C to +30°C, giving builders flexibility in diverse site conditions.
Outcome
One 750 ml can of Tytan Professional® results in 90% lower CO₂ emissions than 1.5 bags of conventional cement mortar. It halves curing times, reduces water use, and cuts project delays linked to temperature constraints.
This partnership demonstrates a credible pathway to decarbonizing masonry, replacing cement-based products with a commercially viable, low-emission alternative for future construction materials.
Strategic Partnership between Kemira and CuspAI
Challenge
PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds used across multiple industries for their durability and chemical resistance. They persist in the environment and the human body, where they do not break down and accumulate over time.
This persistence has made PFAS a major regulatory concern due to documented environmental and health risks. The core challenge is to identify alternative materials that deliver comparable industrial performance without causing long-term ecological harm.
Solution
Finnish company Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions, has entered a strategic partnership with UK-based materials science AI specialist CuspAI. The collaboration aims to transform how new chemistries are discovered and optimized by integrating CuspAI’s artificial intelligence platform into Kemira’s R&D operations. The platform functions as an AI-driven search engine for materials discovery, enabling rapid, in silico development of novel molecules and formulations.
The first joint initiative targets PFAS removal from water systems, addressing rising regulatory pressure on manufacturers. By applying AI to model, screen, and validate potential replacements, Kemira expects to reduce development cycles from years to months, strengthening its position as a frontrunner in digital-led chemical innovation.
Outcome
The partnership accelerates the creation of sustainable PFAS alternatives and supports global efforts to eliminate persistent pollutants from water.
Strategic Partnership between Agrofresh and Biotalys
Challenge
Fungal decay is a major cause of post-harvest food loss. Once produce is harvested, it becomes vulnerable to fungal pathogens which spread quickly during storage and transport. As supply chains globalize, maintaining quality while minimizing waste has become more complex.
Post-harvest spoilage contributes to an estimated 14% loss of fresh produce before it reaches retail. This waste undermines farm resources, increases emissions, and weakens food system resilience.
Solution
AgroFresh and Biotalys have formed a strategic partnership to develop sustainable biological fungicides for the post-harvest market. Biotalys develops protein-based biocontrols for sustainable crop protection. AgroFresh is a global leader in post-harvest solutions for fresh produce.
Biotalys will provide its protein-based AGROBODY™ technology platform, which enables targeted fungal control without synthetic chemicals. AgroFresh will apply its global post-harvest expertise to commercialize these biologically derived solutions.
The collaboration aims to expand available tools for produce suppliers, enabling safer and more sustainable disease management. The companies will co-develop products designed to preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and reduce waste during storage and transit.
Outcome
The partnership strengthens the post-harvest innovation pipeline with novel biological solutions. It supports global efforts to cut food waste and improve fresh food supply chain efficiency.
Distribution Agreement between Givaudan and Dole
Challenge
An estimated 30–40% of bananas are wasted each year because they fail to meet quality standards. Food waste contributes up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It also accounts for roughly 14% of methane emissions, a potent climate pollutant far stronger than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Reducing waste in banana supply chains is a significant opportunity to address environmental and economic challenges involved in food waste.
Solution
Consumer research shows strong demand for waste reduction. Eighty-one percent of global consumers want to avoid food waste. More than half of consumers interested in upcycled ingredients prefer certified labels on such products.
Givaudan is collaborating with Dole Asia Holdings to upcycle unripe bananas into a natural texturising ingredient. The partnership converts green bananas into Green Banana Powder without synthetic additives. The solution meets growing demand for clean labels and improved texture in foods.
Under this agreement, Givaudan became the exclusive commercial collaborator for Dole’s Green Banana Powder in key European and American markets. The collaboration provides a sustainable alternative to synthetic texturisers while reducing waste in banana supply chains.
Outcome
The initiative transforms unripe bananas into an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic texturisers currently used in the market and fits easily into many food applications. This reduces waste and supports more sustainable supply chains.
How collaboration is reshaping the next era of chemical manufacturing
The commercial agreements in speciality chemicals featured in this article show how sustainable chemistries are moving from research pipelines into real production environments. These partnerships are reorganising supply chains by bringing in bio-based feedstocks, using materials discovery, and turning waste streams into usable chemical inputs.
By introducing new materials in procurement pipelines and existing supply chains, these agreements enable manufacturers to cut emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuel-derived ingredients, and scale circular alternatives.
These commercial agreements in specialty chemicals are shaping the next phase of the industry’s evolution. As these collaborations expand, they will influence which companies lead the transition to a low-carbon and resilient chemical sector.
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