White Biotechnology

As customary in the market, we utilize the advantages of biotechnology, when this is associated with increased ecological value, greater benefits for consumers and/or economic advantages for Henkel. We limit our activities here to one sub-area of biotechnology – white or industrial biotechnology which, when applied as intended, does not release genetically modified microorganisms. White biotechnology uses living microorganisms, their cells or metabolic products  to generate industrial products and processes. White biotechnology is mainly characterized by its targeted use of molecular biological techniques. Among other things, white biotechnology is used to produce enzymes for laundry detergents and dishwashing detergents. These enzymes show significantly better ecological performance, even during their production, than conventionally produced enzymes do. This applies to carbon dioxide emissions, wastewater pollution as well as energy consumption. 

Our researchers and product developers therefore work with raw material manufacturers, which produce specific ingredients for Henkel Consumer Brands products with the use of white biotechnology.

Enzymes are vital for the metabolism of plants, animals and humans. They ensure that certain chemical reactions can be made without complications. In the human body, for example, the enzymes belonging to the class of proteases break down the protein ingested with food into its basic building blocks, the amino acids. 

The power of enzymes is also used in washing and dishwashing machines: Proteases specifically break down protein-containing soiling, lipases remove grease stains - even at low temperatures. This is why enzymes are important ingredients in detergents and automatic dishwashing products. During the life cycle of a detergent and automatic dishwashing detergent - from raw material extraction to disposal in the wastewater treatment plant - most of the energy is consumed during the wash or rinse cycle itself. This is because, as life cycle analyses show, the main energy requirement and therefore most of the carbon dioxide emissions are caused by using the washing machine or dishwasher. At the same time, energy consumption at high temperatures is considerably higher than at low temperatures. It is largely thanks to enzymes that modern detergents and automatic dishwashing detergents deliver excellent results even at low temperatures.

If certain bacteria, as naturally occurring microorganisms, are provided with the correct nutrients and kept under the conditions they prefer, they are capable of producing the enzymes that are so useful in detergents as metabolic products. The industrial-scale biotechnological processes have been developed to utilize this phenomenon. Bacteria grow and multiply under controlled conditions in water-filled, closed agitator vessels known as fermenters. The optimal conditions for growth are established by precisely regulating the temperature and the addition of oxygen and nutrients. This results in high enzyme yields. Similar processes are used in the production of beer or insulin. Ultimately, the enzymes are separated completely from the bacterial cells and the genetic information they contain. To ensure that the enzymes obtained can be readily and safely processed, liquid formulations or enzyme granules which are stabilized with auxiliary substances such as cellulose, starch or wax are added. Since Henkel does not produce any enzymes itself, the complete production process is performed by suppliers. They partner closely with our researchers to develop the optimal enzymes for our use in laundry and dishwashing detergents. But we also source enzymes from raw material manufacturers who have developed and optimized such enzymes themselves.

Besides enzymes Henkel's laundry and home care products contain further ingredients based on white biotechnology – e.g. biosurfactants and citric acid. We do not produce these ingredients ourselves but purchase them from our raw material suppliers. Biosurfactants are washing-active substances with a biological origin. They are created through yeasts or bacteria on renewable raw material. While industrial citric acid is produced with the help of a special fungus.

Henkel purchases ingredients made using white biotechnology from selected raw material manufacturers who have decades of expertise in the field. These raw material manufacturers and Henkel itself use biotechnological methods for research, in particular to find ways of developing new and improved laundry detergent enzymes and other biotechnologically produced contents. The applicable regulation of the European Union defines four safety levels for handling genetically modified organisms. The microorganisms used to produce enzymes belong, without exception, to the lowest safety level and therefore pose no risk to humans or the environment.

Probiotic detergents and cleaning products contain natural bacteria that have not been genetically modified or biotechnologically altered and act as active cleaning components alongside traditional surfactants. Probiotic bacteria are used in the form of spores and usually originate from bacteria of the genus Bacillus.  

Bacterial spores are a special form of bacteria that are in a dormant state, which enables them to survive unfavorable conditions such as nutrient deficiency or dryness. Thanks to this natural resistance, they also remain stable in detergents and cleaning products. As soon as environmental conditions become favorable again, the spores can transform back into active bacteria, multiply, and form active cleaning agents such as enzymes. When applied to household surfaces such as toilets, probiotic bacteria can not only displace unwanted bacteria, but also actively contribute to cleaning by producing enzymes that break down dirt on the surface. These naturally produced enzymes can break down different types of dirt, such as lipases for fats or proteases for proteins.  

In addition to the relatively new field of application for probiotics in detergents and cleaning products, they are traditionally used to produce positive effects on the human body. Probiotics are found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, or in dietary supplements, and can thus support the balance of intestinal flora, promote digestion, and strengthen the immune system.