The grant, part of a competitive multi-stage programme funded by the German government, will help advance AmphiStar's biotechnology platform, which designs bespoke biosurfactant molecules for personal and home care products.

AmphiStar was selected as one of only six teams to progress to the second round of the programme, which supports breakthrough innovations in biotechnology. Having already secured €1.5 million in the first phase last year, the company is now vying for an additional €2 million in the final stage, where two top-performing teams will receive further funding next year.

"This grant will enable us to push forward our most ambitious innovation goals," said Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar. "With the freedom that non-dilutive funding provides, we can continue to develop and refine our bespoke, sustainable surfactants that meet the growing demand for high-performance, eco-friendly solutions in personal- and home care. This support reinforces the German government’s recognition of our breakthrough technology and its potential to revolutionise the industry."

AmphiStar’s biotechnology platform is at the forefront of a new era in surfactant production, leveraging synthetic biology to create designer molecules that meet specific performance needs. These tailor-made biosurfactants, produced from organic waste- and side streams, not only offer a sustainable alternative to mainstream chemically produced surfactants (fossil- and biobased) and other commercial microbial biosurfactants but also unlock new possibilities for innovation in the cleaning, cosmetics, and personal care industries.

"What sets our technology apart is its ability to generate novel, high-performing molecules while keeping sustainability at its core," said Sophie Roelants, Co-founder and COO of AmphiStar. "This grant enables us to concentrate on developing entirely new, promising molecules at low technology readiness levels (TRL), all produced from waste through a continuous biomanufacturing process. Our goal is to reduce costs and enhance sustainability, while maintaining functionality, aligning perfectly with our mission to replace traditional surfactants with environmentally responsible, bio-based alternatives – without compromising on quality or affordability."

AmphiStar's technology offers vast potential applications in personal care, home care, and beyond, and this funding brings the company one step closer to realising that vision. During the first year of the SPRIN-D programme, the AmphiStar team successfully performed a continuous biomanufacturing process for an impressive 75 days – 15 days longer than the 60 days anticipated by SPRIN-D – using only waste materials to produce a completely novel and promising biosurfactant molecule.

This pioneering and breakthrough approach was recognised by the highly regarded international jury assembled by SPRIN-D. Continuous biomanufacturing is crucial for reducing the costs of novel and sustainable biochemicals, allowing them to penetrate markets driven by functionality and cost considerations.

The €2 million grant from SPRIN-D is a significant milestone for AmphiStar, reflecting its leadership in the biosurfactant and biomanufacturing field and the strong demand for sustainable, scalable solutions in industries where performance, cost and environmental impact are critical.

This new phase of funding marks another step forward in AmphiStar’s journey to bring its tailored, sustainable products to a global market, with exciting developments to come in the year ahead.

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