36 TRENDING TECHNOLOGIES
Enzymatic esterification: chemistry reimagined
Rune Daneels – Oleon
The world is undergoing a profound transformation. Climate change, resource scarcity, and shifting consumer values are reshaping industries across the globe. Among the impacted sectors is the chemical industry, traditionally reliant on energy-intensive processes and non-renewable resources. Today, the call for sustainability is louder than ever, and the chemical sector must evolve to meet this challenge. The future of chemistry is increasingly being
shaped not by harsher reactions or synthetic shortcuts, but by the intelligent and respectful use of nature’s own tools. One of the most promising innovations driving this shift is enzymatic esterification, a process that aligns closely with the principles of green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing. This technique represents more than just
scientific progress; it is becoming a strategic pillar for companies aiming to foster a cleaner, safer, and more responsible chemical industry. Through ongoing research, such as life cycle sustainability assessments (LCSA) of compounds like isopropyl palmitate, the environmental, economic, and social advantages of enzymatic esterification are being clearly demonstrated.
Understanding enzymatic esterification Enzymatic esterification involves the use of enzymes, particularly immobilized lipases, to catalyse the reaction between an alcohol and a fatty acid to form an ester. Unlike traditional chemical catalysis, which often requires high temperatures, strong acids or bases, and solvents, enzymatic processes operate under mild, solvent-free conditions. This approach offers several key advantages,
as follows. ■ High specificity: Enzymes exhibit lock-and- key precision, minimizing side reactions and maximizing product purity. ■ Reusability: Immobilized enzymes can be reused across multiple batches, reducing waste and cost. ■ Safety: The process eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, making it safer for workers and the environment. ■ Energy efficiency: Lower operating temperatures and pressures translate to reduced energy consumption. These benefits make enzymatic
esterification not only a cleaner alternative but also a technically superior one.
PERSONAL CARE October 2025
Quantified benefits: scientific validation Traditional chemical processes often rely on high temperatures, aggressive catalysts, and energy-intensive operations, resulting in significant waste and greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, enzymatic esterification offers a sustainable alternative, as follows. ■ Waste reduction: Enzymes can be reused multiple times, and the process itself generates significantly less waste due to improved valorisation of raw materials. ■ Lower carbon footprint: Enzymatic production of esters can reduce CO2
emissions
by up to 20% compared to conventional methods. For example, producing 2,000 tonnes of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil – Mass Balance (RSPO MB) cosmetic emollients enzymatically results in 800 tonnes less CO2 annually; the equivalent of 450 round-trip flights between Brussels and New York. ■ Energy savings: Because enzymes operate effectively at lower temperatures and pressures, the process consumes less energy, contributing to both environmental and economic sustainability.
To support transparency and accountability,
companies adopting this technology often provide life cycle assessments (LCAs) for their products. These assessments help partners quantify environmental impact and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
Higher purity and product quality Enzymatic esterification not only benefits the planet, but it also enhances product performance. ■ Improved purity: Enzymes are highly specific, which leads to fewer side reactions and a cleaner final product. ■ Higher yields, less waste: The efficiency of enzymatic processes means more product is obtained from the same amount of raw material, reducing waste and improving resource utilization. ■ Simplified downstream processing: With fewer impurities and byproducts, the need for complex purification steps is minimized, lowering production costs and improving operational efficiency. A comparative diagram of traditional versus enzymatic esterification could further illustrate these benefits.
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