Extraction of a novel surfactant from sustainable kelp. This is a CRAFT 5 ^th framework program with European partners of four different countries. A powerful surface-active agent has been extracted from Laminaria digitata, which hasthe potential to replace common surfactants in personal care, cleaning and de-greasing products. For this project, the Irish Seaweed Centre has been looking at the environmental impact of harvesting kelp along the Irish west coast and performing small scale harvesting trials, taking into account biodiversity, growth rates, regeneration and re-colonisation.  

Some results

• No hazardous chemicals in extraction procedure no bacterial fermentation
• Potential to replace common surfactants in personal care, cleaning and de-greasing products
• Sustainable, biodegradable environmental friendly
• By product used as cattle feed
• Two formulations developed
• Readily biodegradable, no health, safety or environmental hazards warning labels under current and incoming EC legislation
• Spray cleaner for steel and aluminium (support from car industry)
• Prevents corrosion steel aluminium and cast iron
• Highly effective at 30° C (cost saving)
• Management plan for sustainable harvesting of Irish Kelp