Standardization of bio-based surfactants
Summary
- ERASM is engaged in the standardization of the methodology to determine the bio-based nature of surfactants and products as part of our overall commitment to support the European Commission to develop Europe into the first bio-based economy globally.
- Standard EN 17035 defines the classification of bio-based surfactants as consistent combinations of nomenclature and threshold levels, e.g., bio-based content between 50 and 95% is called majority bio-based surfactant.
- Sustainability of bio-based surfactants must not be judged only by the origin of the raw materials but depends also on other dimensions such as performance, which depends on the physico-chemical properties of the surfactant and end of life options. Already used surfactants may show a better overall result across all dimensions.
Background
In 2011, the European Commission decided to develop Europe into the first bio-based economy globally. Setting the basis for this development, the Commission issued several mandates to European Standardization bodies, i.e., CEN, for the development of horizontal standards on bio-based products in general, and vertical standards for selected product groups, i.e., bio-lubricants, bio-based solvents, and bio-based surfactants [1].
CEN installed a new technical committee CEN/TC-411 “Bio-based products” to create new general standards for providing a common basis on the aspects of common terminology, bio-based content determination, sustainability aspects, life cycle assessment LCA, and declaration/communication tools for B2B and B2C [2].
Based on these new standards, a new working group within the Technical Committee CEN/TC-276 “Surface active agents” took the task of standardization of bio-based surfactants in cooperation with the Biosurfactant Taskforce of ERASM.
Outcome of Research
Determination of biomass in a bio-based product (surfactant) is crucial for a standard [3]. There are two possible ways to determine biomass: analytical measurement or certification along the value chain. The analytical radiocarbon method (ASTM D6866-12, EN 16640 and others) relies on the content of the carbon isotope 14C which allows for a clear distinction between carbon-based substances in living organisms and carbon-based substances from fossil sources. Certification can be issued by RSPO (Round Table of Sustainable Palm oil), ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) and other- organizations.
Based on the biogenic carbon content as a measure for biomass content, the CEN working group established a classification for bio-based surfactants. The rationale behind this classification is based on:
- the consistency between threshold levels and nomenclature,
- the self-explanatory nomenclature,
- the possibility to establish a market monitoring,
- the potential use in ecolabel criteria.
| Surfactant class | Bio-based carbon content X% (m/m) |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Wholly bio-based surfactant | > 95 | Applicable for surfactants, where all raw material can be considered as bio-based |
| Majority bio-based surfactant | 95 ≥ X > 50 | Applicable for surfactants, where the majority of the raw material is bio-based |
| Minority bio-based surfactant | 50 ≥ X ≥ 5 | Applicable for surfactants, where the minor part of the raw material is bio-based |
| Non bio-based surfactant | x < 5 | Applicable for surfactants where no raw material is bio-based |
Bio-based surfactant classes (taken from EN 17035)
Examples for wholly bio-based surfactants are e.g., alkyl polyglucosides, sorbitan esters, and alcohol sulfates. The majority of bio-based surfactants include e.g., most alkyl ethersulfates, betaines, and esterquats.
For further reading:
[1] M/491, Mandate addressed to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI for the development of European Standards and Technical Specifications and/or Technical Reports for bio-surfactants and bio-solvents in relation to bio-based product aspects, 7 March 2011; https://law.resource.org/pub/eu/mandates/m491.pdf
[2] For further details see EN 16575, EN 16640, EN 16785-1, EN 16785-2, EN 16751, EN 16760, EN 16848, and EN 16935;
https://standards.cencenelec.eu/BPCEN/874780.pdf
[3] Determining the Bio-Based Carbon Content of Surfactants S. Mudge, J. Tropsch, T. Beaudouin, C. Sené, H. Hormazabal, J. Surfact. Det. (2020) 23, 771-780;
https://aocs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15589293