Godrej Chemicals launched SLNOVA™, its proprietary biosurfactant platform based on Sophorolipids, marking a significant step forward in biotechnology-driven specialty chemicals. Developed using renewable feedstocks and advanced fermentation technology, SLNOVA™ combines high performance with sustainability, offering next-generation surfactant solutions for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. The launch reinforces Godrej Chemicals’ commitment to green chemistry and biotechnology innovation while addressing the growing demand for sustainable, bio-based ingredients across global markets.
Biotechnology Meets High-Performance Surfactants
SLNOVA™ represents a new generation of biosurfactants that integrate biotechnology with superior formulation performance. Produced through a fermentation process using renewable raw materials, the platform delivers excellent functionality while maintaining a low environmental footprint. Unlike conventional surfactants, SLNOVA™ offers a combination of mildness, multifunctionality, and biodegradability, making it suitable for manufacturers seeking sustainable alternatives without compromising product performance.
Designed for Diverse Industrial Applications
SLNOVA™ has been engineered to perform multiple functions within a formulation, including emulsification, wetting, dispersing and solubilisation. As a readily biodegradable surfactant, it provides formulation flexibility across multiple industries, including personal care, home care, industrial cleaning, specialty chemical formulations, and other performance-driven applications. To meet varying customer requirements, Godrej Chemicals introduced two SLNOVA™ platform variants, enabling formulators to develop products ranging from gentle personal care solutions to high-performance industrial cleaning systems.
Responding to the Growing Demand for Bio-Based Surfactants
The global surfactant industry is rapidly shifting toward bio-based, renewable, and biotechnology-enabled solutions that deliver both sustainability and high performance. Recognizing this transition, Godrej Chemicals has continued to invest in biotechnology research, advanced laboratory infrastructure, and multidisciplinary scientific expertise. These capabilities have enabled the company to develop biosurfactant technologies that are scientifically robust, commercially scalable, and aligned with evolving customer expectations. Consequently, SLNOVA™ positions the company to meet the increasing demand for environmentally responsible specialty chemical ingredients.
CEO Highlights
Vishal Sharma, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Industries (Chemicals), said the surfactant industry is undergoing a major transformation as customer expectations evolve and biotechnology continues to unlock new possibilities. He noted that the industry’s focus has shifted beyond developing better ingredients to fundamentally rethinking how specialty chemicals are designed, manufactured, and delivered. According to Sharma, biotechnology has become a key enabler for the next generation of specialty chemicals by combining performance, sustainability, and innovation.
He also highlighted that Godrej Chemicals is the first company in India to produce Sophorolipids at commercial scale, making the launch of SLNOVA™ a significant milestone for both the company and India’s growing biotechnology ecosystem. Powered by locally sourced renewable raw materials and the company’s manufacturing expertise, SLNOVA™ also strengthens the domestic supply chain for biosurfactants while creating a reliable and scalable platform for future innovation.
Strengthening the Future of Green Chemistry
The launch of SLNOVA™ represents another important milestone in Godrej Chemicals’ biotechnology journey and reinforces its long-term commitment to green chemistry, sustainable manufacturing, and innovation in specialty chemicals. By combining decades of surfactant expertise with cutting-edge biotechnology, the company continues to develop advanced solutions that meet changing customer needs while supporting the industry’s transition toward more sustainable products and processes. As per the press release, as demand for renewable and biodegradable ingredients continues to grow worldwide, SLNOVA™ is expected to play an important role in enabling next-generation formulations across personal care, home care, industrial cleaning, and other specialty chemical applications.
