How skin care hero ingredient Phytosqualan ticks all green chemistry boxes

SOPHIM unveils how green chemistry principles can be applied upstream of the supply chain. Phytosqualan, olive squalane, is produced in respect of many green chemistry principles

From the raw material to its process and end-life, this particular Olive Squalane is a high quality cosmetic ingredient offering many opportunities to create formulas that show more respect to the environment and consumer’s skin.

Sustainable sourcing

Phytosqualan is extracted and purified from olive oil, which is a renewable resource in the Mediterranean basin. As SOPHIM has a plant in Spain, close to the olive groves, our raw material is supplied through short circuits and show european quality standards. Phytosqualan is upcycled from olive-oil distillates, avoiding to produce a new resource, as it can be the case with other sources of squalane such as sugarcane.

Industrial process

Phytosqualan is produced in respect of many green chemistry principles:

• Atom economy: equimolar reaction in two main chemical reactions necessary for extracting squalene
• Less harmful chemical synthesis: use of bio-sourced and gentle solvents
• Safer chemicals: our main product (squalene) and co-products (such as triglycerides) are non-dangerous
• Use of renewable resources: condensates from vegetable oil are renewable
• Reduced byproducts: selective and total reactions allowing for all byproducts or secondary products to be of interest to SOPHIM
• Use of catalytic processes: the catalyst used in small quantities allows for energy and time efficiency gains
• Biodegradable products: our products, derivatives, co-products, etc. are biodegradable

Ingredients suppliers can & must be active actors of the change, and green chemistry is a lever to be applied to provide the cosmetic industry with more responsible solutions.

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