Holiferm and Organica UK Join Forces to Accelerate Sustainable Biotech and Biomanufacturing
Holiferm and Organica UK have announced a strategic combination aimed at accelerating the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of sustainable bio-based products. The partnership brings together biosurfactant innovation, formulation expertise and finished-product manufacturing in an integrated biotechnology platform.
The combination, announced on September 8, 2026, brings together two UK companies with complementary capabilities in biotechnology and bio-based production. Holiferm specialises in nature-derived biosurfactants and fermentation technology, while Organica UK develops and manufactures biodegradable and non-hazardous household and cleaning products.
The companies say the combination will create a more integrated route from biotechnology research and ingredient development to formulation, manufacturing and commercialisation. Sadorp, a global FMCG and CPG investor and supplier, will continue to support the combined business as a commercial partner.
From biosurfactant innovation to finished products
One of the most important aspects of the deal is the combination of technologies and capabilities across different stages of the value chain.
Holiferm develops and manufactures nature-derived biosurfactants using proprietary fermentation technology. Its research and development activities are based in Greater Manchester, while commercial production operates from its facility in Wallasey, Merseyside.
Biosurfactants are increasingly attracting attention as potential alternatives to conventional surfactants derived from fossil-based chemistry. They can be produced using biological processes and renewable feedstocks, creating opportunities for more sustainable ingredients across applications such as home care, personal care and industrial products.
Organica UK brings a different but complementary capability. Founded in 1998, the company specialises in the formulation and manufacture of biodegradable and non-hazardous household, laundry and cleaning products for UK and international customers.
By combining these capabilities, the companies aim to create an end-to-end platform covering ingredient development, advanced applications, formulation, manufacturing and commercialisation.
This is significant because scaling a biotechnology innovation is not only a scientific challenge. Moving from a promising ingredient to a commercially successful product requires formulation expertise, manufacturing capacity, supply-chain capabilities and access to customers and retailers.
Why the combination matters for sustainable chemistry
The partnership comes at a time when industries are looking for alternatives to conventional fossil-based chemicals.
Holiferm and Organica say their combined capabilities will help increase the availability of sustainable, cost-effective and high-performance alternatives to fossil-based chemistry.
The strategy also reflects a broader shift in biotechnology: rather than focusing exclusively on laboratory innovation, companies increasingly need to connect scientific development with industrial production and market access.
The combination of Holiferm's fermentation-based biosurfactant technology with Organica's formulation and manufacturing capabilities could therefore shorten the path from biological innovation to commercial products.
For the bioeconomy, this type of integration is particularly important. Technologies can struggle to reach scale when research, manufacturing and commercialisation remain fragmented across different organisations.
A partnership built over several years
The relationship between Holiferm and Organica is not entirely new. The two companies have worked side by side since 2023 and will continue operating from adjacent sites.
According to Holiferm, the combination will provide additional room to expand production, accelerate joint innovation and pursue new growth opportunities.
Sadorp will remain an important commercial partner. Its expertise in product development, retail standards and supply-chain management is expected to strengthen the route from innovation and manufacturing to products reaching consumers.
The combined business will therefore bring together three complementary capabilities: biotechnology and biosurfactant innovation from Holiferm, formulation and manufacturing from Organica, and commercialisation and market expertise from Sadorp.
What this means for the European bioeconomy
The Holiferm and Organica combination is an example of how biotechnology companies can move beyond the traditional startup model and build integrated platforms capable of supporting commercial scale.
For the wider European bioeconomy, the ability to connect scientific innovation with manufacturing and market access will be increasingly important. Sustainable ingredients are only able to generate meaningful environmental and economic impact when they can be produced at scale and incorporated into products that customers can actually buy.
Holiferm, established in 2018 as a spin-out from The University of Manchester Innovation Factory, currently employs around 60 people. Organica employs approximately 67 people and has nearly three decades of experience in sustainable cleaning products.
Their combination represents a move toward a more vertically integrated biotechnology business, with the potential to accelerate innovation while strengthening manufacturing and commercial capabilities.
As demand grows for bio-based and lower-impact alternatives to conventional chemicals, partnerships that connect biotechnology, industrial production and commercialisation could become an increasingly important part of Europe's transition toward a more sustainable bioeconomy.
Source: Holiferm. Read the original announcement
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