Stepan and AmphiStar announce exclusive EMEA distribution partnership in Home Care and I&I

• Exclusive distribution covers upcycled biosurfactants in Home Care and Industrial & Institutional (I&I) cleaning segments
• Advancing true sustainability: AmphiStar’s biosurfactants offer strong LCA and carbon footprint advantages
• Leveraging Stepan’s formulation expertise and trusted customer network to accelerate adoption of sustainable cleaning solutions across EMEA

Paris, France, 24 November 2025 – Stepan Company, a global leader in chemical solutions, and Belgian biotech innovator, AmphiStar, announced an exclusive distribution partnership for Amphistar’s bio-based surfactants across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), with a focus on the Home Care and Industrial & Institutional (I&I) cleaning markets.

AmphiStar develops upcycled biosurfactants designed to deliver robust cleaning performance with a significantly decreased product carbon footprint (PCF) and life-cycle impact compared to conventional alternatives. Stepan brings deep formulation know-how and established commercial channels in the targeted segments, positioning the partnership to deliver both performance and sustainability outcomes for customers.

Growing regulatory and customer focus on sustainability, combined with performance expectations in Home Care and I&I, is driving demand for bio-based, lower-PCF surfactants. The partnership pairs Amphistar’s world-class expertise in continuous bioprocessing and sustainable biosurfactants with Stepan’s formulation expertise and market reach. The companies also highlighted the benefits of local European production from waste and side streams as a longer-term pathway to reduce logistics emissions and support circularity, subject to future implementation.

“Stepan’s deep formulation expertise and trusted customer relationships make them the ideal partner to accelerate the adoption of our upcycled biosurfactants across EMEA. Together, we deliver high performance with a materially lower life-cycle impact, helping customers move toward circular, low-carbon Home Care and I&I solutions,” said Pierre-Franck Valentin, CEO of AmphiStar.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions through innovation, circular design, and meaningful carbon reduction. AmphiStar’s biosurfactants are sourced from locally sourced renewable upcycled feedstocks and are fully biodegradable, offering a lower environmental footprint and superior performance,” said Philippe Nastasi, Vice President of European Surfactants at Stepan Company.

About Stepan Company

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection compounds and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.  

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. 

For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com

About AmphiStar

AmphiStar is a leader in the development and production of 100% upcycled microbial biosurfactants, offering sustainable and performant alternatives to conventional surfactants. Through its innovative platform technology, AmphiStar transforms bio-based waste and side streams into a portfolio of high-performance biosurfactants that are independent of fossil feedstocks, palm feedstocks or direct land use—both sustainable and cost-effective. Serving industries such as personal care, home care, agrifood and beyond, AmphiStar is committed to driving the transition toward a circular economy.

AmphiStar leverages cutting-edge synthetic biology, microbial fermentation and mild processing techniques to produce eco-friendly alternatives to the non-sustainable surfactants on the market. As a pioneer in the field, AmphiStar is proud to offer the first commercially available biosurfactants made entirely from biobased waste- and side streams setting a new standard for environmental responsibility in the surfactant industry. 

For more information, please visit https://amphistar.com

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