INFACT: from INsect to surFACTant (INFACT)

The output of this project is sector-transcending. Insects are introduced in sustainable chemistry and after finalizing this project, companies from different sectors can valorize the developed knowledge. The insect fats can be used for various applications, such as raw material for surfactants, cosmetics, lubricants. The green surfactants themselves are widely applicable e.g. cosmetics, household products, agro-industry, adhesives, inks and paints and their use contributes to a more sustainable and reduced use of palm kernel oil.  To illustrate the support and possible impact of the project, it was decided to include companies active in the entire chain, from waste stream to finished product, in the user group of this TETRA project, so that the interest and involvement of all these actors is clearly demonstrated.

 The innovation goal of this project is to introduce the black armoured fly as a new high-quality and sustainable source of fats, from which green surfactants are produced using green and less polluting chemical synthesis pathways.  In order to implement this project, the following concrete actions are defined: (1) Purification of insect fats (solvent extraction followed by traditional degumming methods and an innovative enzymatic degumming route); (2) Production of green surfactants (3 cases were defined in consultation with the companies in the user group, each time synthesizing a surfactant or surfactant mixture; (3) Characterisation of the surfactants produced and (4) Measurement of consumers' perception of the use of insect fats in non-food products. 

Results

KPI 1: Within the framework of this project, we have succeeded in introducing these very different sectors to each other and we have demonstrated that the black soldier fly can be used effectively for technical applications. Commercial development of the black soldier fly will mainly depend on the availability of materials, competitive prices and regulations. This will have to be focused on in order to make an insect industry possible.  

KPI 2: In addition to the consumer survey, which was carried out successfully, surfactants were supplied to the companies, which will be worked out as a case. The closest collaboration was with Mylène, where both the glycine surfactant and the lysine surfactant were tested in a number of cosmetic formulations. 

Case 1: Consumer perception study: a survey on the use of insect materials for technical applications was organised. The survey included both personal interviews and online surveys. In collaboration with Mylène, a large group of about 1300 people was reached. The results of this survey were published in a peer-reviewed international journal.

Case 2: use of gly-BSF and lys-BSF surfactant as primary surfactant in a shower foam. In collaboration with Mylène, a number of formulations were tested in which both gly- and lys-surfactants were compared. Stability and foam capacity were investigated. The results showed that neither surfactant is suitable to be used as primary surfactant in this application.

Case 3: use of gly-BSF and lys-BSF surfactants as secondary surfactants in a cream. Again, it is important that the cream is stable and that the texture/feeling is good. After testing a number of formulations, it was shown that the glycine-BSF surfactant can provide a stable cream. 

Case 4: The glycine surfactant was also delivered to EOC, Christeyns, Oleon and Eastman. The evaluation of this surfactant within these companies is ongoing and will provide additional cases.

Case 5: The lysine surfactant was delivered to Globachem and Tajinomoto-Omnichem and the evaluation of this surfactant is ongoing and also provides additional cases. These cases will be followed up further.

Keywords:insect fats, green surfactant, green technologies

Disciplines:Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences not elsewhere classified