Nippon Shokubai Announces Distribution Agreement with the University of Manchester -Initiated Startup Holiferm
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. (Headquarter: Osaka, Japan, President: Kazuhiro Noda; hereinafter “Nippon Shokubai”), has signed a distribution agreement with Holiferm Manufacturing Limited. (Headquarter: Manchester, UK, CEO: Ben Dolman; hereinafter “Holiferm”) for biosurfactants as cosmetic ingredients. This distribution agreement for this novel range of eco-friendly surfactants is applicable in the personal care market in Japan.
Biosurfactants are natural surfactants produced by microorganisms. Since they are manufactured using sustainable resources, they are expected to be high value-added alternatives to conventional chemically synthesized surfactants.
For cosmetics applications, Holiferm is promoting HoliSurf, a 100% bio-based surfactant produced through a natural fermentation process using yeast found in honey, a renewable raw material in Europe. HoliSurf is used in a variety of personal care applications, from face creams to shampoos. In addition, it has been approved by COSMOS※1 and contributes unique advantages as a mild surfactant to skin.

Picture: Examples of Holiferm’s biosurfactant products
Nippon Shokubai will continue to expand its cosmetics business in Japan and overseas, not only with our own materials but also new materials developed via external collaboration.
※1: COSMOS is part of an international certification system that guarantees the quality of organic cosmetics and is based on standards established by five major organic certification bodies in Europe.
About Holiferm Manufacturing Limited.: Holiferm was founded on the back of patented gravity separation technology developed at the University of Manchester. As a company it aims to disrupt the market and replace all petrochemical produced surfactants with naturally produced biosurfactants. Holiferm’s processes are developed at their research and development facility in Manchester and then produced at their 1.6KTA biosurfactant plant in Wallasey. The biosurfactants have applications in many products found around the home including cosmetics, skin care, shower gels and hand cleansers.