International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), a US-based leader in flavors, fragrances, health and biosciences, has announced the first large-scale commercial rollout of its Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials™ (DEB) platform, marking a major step in sustainable consumer goods innovation.
The breakthrough comes as a major consumer packaged goods (CPG) company launches a new laundry detergent using IFF’s DEB technology. According to the company, the formulation delivers enhanced fabric softness and cleaning power while replacing persistent, non-biodegradable ingredients with biodegradable alternatives.
Leticia Gonçalves, president of Health & Biosciences at IFF, said the launch demonstrated how biotechnology and molecular design could reshape industries.
“DEB has the power to redefine how (bio)chemical materials will look in the 21st century: tailored, functional, nature-inspired and safer. This launch is just the beginning — DEB’s potential reaches far beyond any single category.”
Nature-inspired science at scale
Developed by IFF’s Health & Biosciences division, DEB is based on advanced bioscience that allows the creation of structurally diverse polysaccharides—complex sugar-based materials that mimic natural structures. Unlike traditional industrial polymers, which are often petroleum-derived and persistent in the environment, DEB-based materials are renewable, scalable, and engineered with precision.
The company says its Lyrature™ portfolio of DEB-enabled laundry ingredients can replace commonly used polyquaterniums, which are slow to degrade in the environment. By introducing DEB, detergent makers can enhance anti-redeposition and surface-modifying effects while offering a greener product to consumers.
Building new infrastructure
IFF is also scaling up production through its joint venture with Finnish chemicals company Kemira. Their partnership, called AlphaBio, is establishing the first dedicated manufacturing facility for DEB-based materials. Pilot validation has already taken place at sites in Kokemäki and Jokioinen, Finland.
Commercial production is expected to begin in 2027, with AlphaBio set to supply customers across multiple industries.
Broader potential
While laundry is the first category to see a commercial DEB application, IFF emphasises that the technology’s reach extends far wider. Future uses are expected in health, nutrition, beauty, packaging and other markets where performance and sustainability need to go hand in hand.
The launch comes as consumer goods companies face mounting pressure from regulators and consumers to reduce reliance on persistent synthetic materials. With its plant-based feedstocks and tailored design capabilities, DEB represents one of the most advanced attempts yet to reimagine materials for a low-carbon, circular economy.
IFF believes the move will not only enhance sustainability but also deliver performance equal to or greater than traditional products. As Gonçalves put it, “It brings together biotechnology, molecular design and sustainability to deliver solutions that were unimaginable just a few years ago.”
For IFF, DEB is more than a product — it is a platform that could help redefine the chemistry of everyday life.
