Lankem

The funding from FW Capital is supporting the development of BioLoop and our launch to market. This is a very exciting time for everyone at Lankem.”

Sean Hodgkinson, Director, Lankem

Lankem were able to boost its environmental commitments following a six-figure investment from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to support the development of a next generation bio-based surfactant.

The Greater Manchester specialist manufacturer was founded in 1999 and celebrated 25 years in business in 2024. It is a rapidly expanding firm located in Tameside which supplies industrial surfactant products such as coatings, emulsion polymerisation, agrochemicals, textiles, industrial cleaning oils and lubricants. 

Lankem had been focused on the development of a range of novel bio-based surfactants, and the funding supported the introduction of this new range of bio-based surfactants containing components that come from renewable sources. 

Unlike many bio-based surfactants, these products offer excellent surfactant properties and can be used as more environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic non-ionics, such as alcohol ethoxylates. Unlike palm-based surfactants, the BioLoop range contains soybean oil which is considered to be a great sustainable source.

The first NPIF investment phase has now completed with the British Business Bank launching the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II in March 2024.