Sasol launches LIVINEX IO 7, an insect oil-based surfactant, offering sustainable, drop-in cleaning solutions for global care markets.
Sasol International Chemicals, a division of Sasol Ltd., has officially announced the launch and commercialization of a groundbreaking, bio-circular surfactant derived from insect oils. Marketed under the trade name LIVINEX IO 7, this novel surfactant is both palm oil- and deforestation-free, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible chemical solutions. The product, currently patent-pending, represents the first nonionic surfactant of its kind tailored for fabric, home care, industrial, and institutional cleaning applications.
The innovative chemistry of LIVINEX IO 7 leverages insect oil, a by-product generated from the production of sustainable proteins for animal feed. By converting organic waste into a valuable chemical feedstock, this approach provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional oleochemical sources, while minimizing environmental impact. “This new surfactant significantly enhances our portfolio of sustainable offerings and underscores Sasol’s expertise in developing innovative solutions that help customers address evolving sustainability requirements,” stated Louis Snyders, Vice President of Care Chemicals.
A key advantage of LIVINEX IO 7 is its compatibility with existing cleaning product formulations. As a drop-in replacement for conventional C1214-based surfactants, it does not necessitate a complete reformulation of products, unlike other natural alternatives. This allows manufacturers to adopt more sustainable cleaning solutions efficiently, reducing both time and cost while maintaining product performance.
LIVINEX IO 7 is produced from oil derived from black soldier fly larvae, which is rich in fatty acids suitable for creating detergent-grade alcohols. Since insect oil chemistry closely mirrors that of traditional vegetable oils, existing manufacturing technologies and processes can be directly utilized, eliminating concerns over land use changes or competition with food crops. This makes the product a scalable and practical sustainable alternative for the care chemicals industry.
Snyders emphasized the company’s broader sustainability vision, stating, “As consumer and industry demand for environmentally friendly products continues to grow, we are dedicated to exploring and commercializing innovations like LIVINEX IO 7. Our strategy combines high-performance synthetic feedstocks with novel renewable options, offering customers flexible, forward-looking solutions that align with sustainable resource use.”
Sasol International Chemicals will showcase LIVINEX IO 7 at the SEPAWA® CONGRESS 2025 in Berlin, highlighting its initial availability in European markets, primarily focused on home care, fabric, industrial, and institutional cleaning segments. Over the next year, the company plans to broaden its innovation pipeline and introduce an insect oil-based product for the personal care sector. This follows the company’s successful 2023 launch of the LIVINEX and CARINEX brands, which featured sophorolipid-based formulations as their first products.
