The greenblogger is still officially on vacation but I am currently writing an article about bioplastics for the SPE’s Plastics Engineering magazine as well as preparing for INFOCAST’s Bio-based & Sustainable Products Summit in January 12-14, where I will be moderating a panel. No rest for the weary! I promise myself I will slow down a bit by 2017. I am approaching the big 4-0 next year after all!

In the meantime, here’s an interesting news from Logos Technologies about the start of their rhamnolipids surfactant commercialization online. The company said its line of rhamnolipid-based biosurfactant products called NatSurFact is now available for purchase in large research quantities at www.natsurfact.com.

I have blogged about Logos’ rhamnolipids in the past (see in this link). Its advantages over conventional surfactants include readily biodegradable, low in toxicity to aquatic creatures, mild on the skin yet a powerful cleaner, and economical (yes that’s what Logos Technologies said).  The company produces several grades in both powder and liquid forms.  Logos said it can also produce commercial-scale amounts.

On pricing, large scale commercial orders will get pricing that is competitive with conventional surfactants on a solids basis. On research quantity pricing basis, a 20-liter 5% aqueous solution of the sodium salt surfactant form will cost you $500, while a 1 kg neat powder is around $750/kg, according to the prices online (excluding shipping costs).

I wrote a special report on bio-based surfactants last year in Tecnon OrbiChem’s May 2015 issue. You can get a copy of this issue or to save money, just subscribe annually.

I will write my last 2015 overview article soon so stay tune!