AmphiStar manufactures biosurfactants entirely from waste and side streams, avoiding fossil and palm feedstocks while delivering the cleaning performance needed for commercial and consumer applications. The company reports meaningful reductions in life-cycle impacts, including product carbon footprint (PCF), compared with conventional surfactants. Stepan will support customers in incorporating these materials into liquid and powder formulations, an area where technical guidance often determines whether a switch to bio-based ingredients is feasible at scale.
“Stepan’s deep formulation expertise and trusted customer relationships make them the ideal partner to accelerate the adoption of our upcycled biosurfactants across EMEA,” said Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar. “Together, we help customers shift toward circular, low-carbon Home Care and I&I solutions.”
The market conditions surrounding this partnership are particularly strong. EU regulations—such as the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the proposed Green Claims Directive—are raising expectations around transparency, biodegradability, and environmental claims. At the same time, companies across the cleaning and sanitation value chain are targeting Scope 3 reductions, prompting interest in bio-based ingredients with independently verified LCA benefits.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions through innovation, circular design, and meaningful carbon reduction,” said Philippe Nastasi, Vice President of European Surfactants at Stepan Company. He noted that AmphiStar’s materials are fully biodegradable and produced from locally sourced upcycled feedstocks, providing both environmental advantages and a more resilient sourcing model.
As more manufacturers look to reformulate with lower-impact chemistries, this collaboration strengthens regional access to biosurfactants that avoid traditional agricultural inputs and reduce dependence on volatile global feedstock markets.
