AGAE Technologies expands rhamnolipid biosurfactant production with Asia’s largest industrial facility

AGAE Technologies, a leading innovator in rhamnolipid biosurfactant manufacturing, has achieved a major milestone by launching full-scale production at the largest retrofitted biosurfactant manufacturing facility in Asia. The 41,000-square-foot plant has the capacity to produce over 1,000 metric tons of rhamnolipid biosurfactants annually, with infrastructure in place to scale further as market demand grows.

The expansion positions AGAE Technologies as a dominant player in sustainable biosurfactant production, reinforcing its leadership in rhamnolipid production technology. By leveraging cutting-edge fermentation and biosurfactant engineering, the company aims to drive wider adoption of eco-friendly surfactants across industries.

How Is AGAE Technologies Revolutionizing Rhamnolipid Manufacturing?

AGAE Technologies has been at the forefront of rhamnolipid biosurfactant manufacturing since 2011. In 2020, the company built a modular fermentation pilot plant in the United States, enabling precise control over rhamnolipid production technology. Through years of research, AGAE resolved longstanding technical challenges, including foam control, low biosurfactant yield efficiency, and high downstream processing costs.

Scaling up to industrial rhamnolipid production required overcoming significant engineering obstacles. The retrofitted plant in Asia incorporates advanced fermentation engineering to manage high foam generation, compressed air flow, and pressure regulation within large-scale bioreactors. AGAE Technologies highlighted that every component—from filters, valves, and seals to tubing and pumps—was engineered to withstand these operational challenges.

Fermentation scientist Garrett Holzwarth emphasized that the plant’s completion was only possible due to the company’s proprietary foam control technologies and extensive bioreactor data gathered from years of experimentation. He noted that AGAE Technologies now has the expertise and confidence to establish a similar biosurfactant manufacturing facility in the United States.

Why Is Rhamnolipid a Game-Changer in Biosurfactants?

Rhamnolipids belong to the glycolipid biosurfactant family and are valued for their superior water solubility, biodegradability, and non-toxic nature. These microbially derived biosurfactants are increasingly preferred over synthetic surfactants due to their environmental sustainability and wide range of applications.

In comparison to sophorolipid biosurfactants, rhamnolipid biosurfactants offer higher foaming capacity, greater pH stability across a 2-11 range, and enhanced oil-water emulsification properties. These characteristics make rhamnolipid-based surfactants highly suitable for cosmetics, personal care, oral hygiene, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and environmental remediation.

Growing regulatory restrictions on synthetic surfactants have intensified demand for biosurfactant production technologies that can offer sustainable alternatives. With its industrial rhamnolipid biosurfactant plant, AGAE Technologies is well-positioned to accelerate the global transition toward bio-based surfactants.

What Are the Commercial Applications of Rhamnolipid Biosurfactants?

AGAE Technologies has developed high-purity rhamnolipid biosurfactant products, including R95D90 and R95M90, tailored for commercial applications. These water-soluble, pH-stable biosurfactants integrate seamlessly into formulations across multiple industries.

In the cosmetic and personal care sector, rhamnolipid biosurfactants are used in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and skincare formulations due to their mildness and foaming properties. The pharmaceutical industry also recognizes their value as natural surfactants that can replace synthetic agents like Cremophor EL and polysorbate 80 in topical and oral formulations.

Beyond health and beauty applications, rhamnolipid biosurfactants contribute to enhanced oil recovery, environmental remediation, and agriculture. Their ability to break down hydrocarbons and emulsify oils makes them ideal for cleaning up oil spills and contaminated soil. Additionally, their biodegradable nature supports eco-friendly pest control and soil conditioning in agriculture.

How Does AGAE Technologies’ Expansion Impact the Future of Biosurfactants?

By establishing Asia’s largest industrial rhamnolipid biosurfactant plant, AGAE Technologies is driving sustainable biosurfactant innovation at a global scale. The company’s biosurfactant production technology is set to transform multiple industries by offering cost-effective, high-quality, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional surfactants.

The expansion comes at a crucial time when industries are seeking green chemistry solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. AGAE Technologies’ commitment to scaling rhamnolipid biosurfactant production aligns with global sustainability goals, paving the way for broader adoption of biosurfactant-based formulations.

With its proprietary fermentation engineering techniques and a growing network of international partnerships, AGAE Technologies is poised to lead the next phase of biosurfactant manufacturing innovation. The successful launch of this industrial-scale biosurfactant plant marks a significant step toward making rhamnolipid biosurfactants the standard for green surfactant solutions worldwide.