In the Food & Beverage industry, Ecolab is applying enzymes in Clean-in-Place (CIP) solutions to help prioritize food safety and quality while improving environmental impact. This is accomplished in part by formulating products with bio-based raw materials, where feasible. For example, Ecolab’s Clean in Place (CIP) customized cleaning systems can replace traditional cleaning agents such as sodium hydroxide and chlorine with enzymes. These enzymes, or biological catalysts, help break down organic waste and soils while minimising the use of conventional chemistries.

Enzymes are renewably sourced and readily biodegradable, which can help reduce waste and byproducts, relative to conventional processes.¹  Enzymes can be designed to effectively target specific soil types and work quickly, offering opportunities to use less chemical raw materials in certain applications. For these applications, the carbon footprint associated with product manufacturing, packaging, distribution and disposal is reduced relative to conventional offerings.

An example is ULTRASIL™ CONNECTED, a digital membrane cleaning solution for the dairy industry. Ecolab ULTRASIL CONNECTED provides enhanced cleaning performance with innovative enzymatic chemistry and improved production visibility with an integrated digital module. The new high-performing chemistries are formulated to allow for a reduction and potential elimination of chlorine from the membrane cleaning programme. Minimising chlorine use helps lower the risk of oxidizer-related equipment and membrane damage—and reduces risk of wastewater contamination. Reducing chlorine in the cleaning processes also mitigates the oxidizer’s corrosive and potentially membrane damaging side effects.

Through Ecolab’s sustainable procurement programme, we are continuing to explore lower product carbon footprint alternatives to high-impact raw materials to help advance Scope 3 decarbonization ambitions. 

“The Ecolab procurement teams are continuously improving our product portfolio, seeking new and innovative ways to enhance product sustainability and deliver a more positive impact,” said Frederick Dutrenit, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Chief Procurement Officer, Ecolab. “Our suppliers are critical to this strategy, and our sustainable procurement programme continues to evolve to align with the latest science, stakeholder expectations and values we hold as organisation.”

A recent example is Ecolab’s engagement with Novonesis, a global biosolutions company, to explore enzymes for use in bio-based formulations.

With their extensive portfolio and expertise, Novonesis is a valued collaborator in helping Ecolab deliver innovative biological solutions to the markets we serve. Novonesis is also a pioneer in circular thinking, having established one of the world’s first examples of circular production as part of the Kalundborg Symbiosis. Kalundborg Symbiosis, based in Kalundborg, Denmark, is a public-private partnership between 17 companies that aims to share and reuse resources to achieve savings and minimise waste. In 2023, Novonesis’ total recycling and composting rate was above 99%, with less than 1% sent to landfill or incineration without energy recovery.

Ecolab recognizes that achievement of our climate and product sustainability goals is dependent on judicious investment in both innovation and supplier collaboration. By advancing initiatives like our joint effort with Novonesis, we can further progress in our journey to create a positive future, together with our partners.

To learn more about product sustainability at Ecolab, visit https://www.ecolab.com/corporate-responsibility/environment/product-sustainability