Dispersa has developed the world’s first biosurfactants derived entirely from food waste—natural replacements for key ingredients in many everyday products like detergents and personal care products.
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From Food Scraps to High-Performance Biosurfactants
Dispersa transforms food waste into high-performance biosurfactants using their innovative BioEterna™ process, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum and palm oil-based ingredients found in cleaning products, personal care items, and industrial applications.
The Opportunity
The global surfactant market is valued at $60 billion, with growing demand for sustainable alternatives as industries face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and meet consumer preferences for eco-friendly products. Dispersa is seeking to replace conventional surfactants with biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives, while their unique positioning as the world’s and Canada’s first waste-derived biosurfactant manufacturer provides significant competitive advantages, starting with their focus in North American markets.
The Challenge
Dispersa needed to scale from laboratory to commercial production while building manufacturing expertise and securing regulatory approvals. Having successfully reached pilot-scale production, they now need experienced manufacturing leadership to navigate the complex transition to commercial-scale production, ensuring consistent quality and cost-effectiveness in their groundbreaking waste-to-biosurfactant process.
“Like most chemicals, surfactants are mainly derived from palm and petroleum. What if we could reimagine the way we create these ingredients, by instead valorizing the immense amount of food waste created on a daily basis? At Dispersa, we’ve always believed in circularity. By transforming food waste into high-performing biosurfactants, we’re showing that circularity isn’t just a concept, it’s a real, scalable solution. One that not only protects our planet, but proves that nature can power nature.”
NPC’s Solution
Through NPC’s Access to Talent funding, Dispersa will be able to build its bench of manufacturing expertise needed to scale production, manage complex supply chain operations, and ensure successful technology transfer to contract manufacturing partners for commercial-scale production of their revolutionary waste-derived biosurfactants.
NPC is committed to the creation of natural products that are better for people, animals and the planet. We propel early-stage Canadian innovators with the advice, connections and capital they need to develop and de-risk their solutions quickly and efficiently.
Dispersa
Description:
Sector(s):
Household, Personal Care, Bioequivalents, Cleantech, GreentechFunding Type:
Access to TalentProvince:
QuebecFunding Amount:
$96,600
Year of Funding:
2025
Name:
Nivatha Balendra
