The global shift towards sustainability is driving industries to innovate and adopt biobased compounds, a transition that holds immense benefits for society. The SECRETed project‘s social awareness interview with Bradley Haltli from CRODA provides insights into this transformative movement. As industries pivot from traditional petrochemical products to sustainable biobased alternatives, the environmental, economic, and social advantages become increasingly apparent.
Bradley Haltli is a research and development manager at Croda International, Canada division, that has been closely following the SECRETed project. Croda is a company that makes products that people use in their everyday life, but since it’s an exclusively business-to-business company, the final consumer may never see a Croda label on anything. Haltli oversees the R&D activities of a team of ten people, which is specifically dedicated to finding new ingredients from their library of marine bacteria and fungi; and later working with the rest of the biotechnology team at Croda for scale up and downstream processing to convert those discoveries into commercial products.
In our conversation, Haltli highlights the environmental benefits of biobased compounds, noting their impact on ecosystems: “Most of the natural chemistries that exist, once they make it into the environment, they’re much more readily broken down”, he explains. This biodegradability ensures that biobased compounds do not persist in the environment, unlike many petrochemical products that can cause long-term ecological damage. By reducing environmental persistence, biobased compounds help protect aquatic ecosystems and reduce the accumulation of harmful substances in the environment.
On the other hand, and from an economic perspective, the transition to biobased compounds can drive innovation and create new market opportunities. Haltli emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainability into product development, and notes that, “Any new project in Croda undergoes a sustainability assessment as part of the project assessment.” This approach not only aligns with regulatory requirements but also meets the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. By prioritizing sustainability, companies can differentiate themselves in the market, attract eco-conscious consumers, and foster long-term economic growth.
The shift to biobased compounds also promotes social benefits by enhancing public health and safety. Traditional petrochemical products often pose significant health risks, including toxicity and endocrine disruption. Haltli mentions the risks associated with legacy chemicals, highlighting the example of Triton X100, which degrades into an aquatic toxin. In contrast, biobased compounds are generally safer for human health and the environment. “The effect of releasing products into the ocean is really dependent on the product type, its chemical composition, and the overall quantities released”, Haltli notes, underscoring the importance of developing safer alternatives.
Moreover, the adoption of biobased compounds fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. Projects like SECRETed play a crucial role in building networks and databases that facilitate the discovery and development of sustainable compounds. Haltli appreciates the project’s efforts, stating, “Initiatives like SECRETed are a great way to support this sort of bio-based transition.” By providing accessible resources and fostering public-private partnerships, such initiatives can accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies and drive industry-wide change.
In conclusion, the transition to biobased compounds offers significant benefits for society by enhancing environmental sustainability, driving economic innovation, and improving public health. The insights from Bradley Haltli’s interview illustrate the positive impact of adopting biobased solutions and highlight the role of collaborative projects like SECRETed in advancing this transition. As industries continue to embrace sustainability, the collective efforts of stakeholders will pave the way for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous future.
