Enzymes: Production Methods and Genetic Modification

First the facts:   The following products in our UK range contain enzymes: dishwasher tablets, biological washing powder, laundry tablets, stain remover and laundry tablets. Please note that we also have NonBio powder, and laundry liquid in our range that contain no enzymes so that consumers can choose. Contrary to what is specific for the UK market, enzymes are commonly used in washing and cleaning products in most other markets.  

Why would one use enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysers in chemical processes. A washing process is a chemical process by which components interact. The use of enzymes, which are environmentally safe and neutral components, replaces (and as such reduces) the use of surfactants in washing and cleaning products. Surfactants are the active ingredient in a washing and cleaning product but unfortunately also the most dangerous ingredient for the environment, not necessarily during the production process but more precisely in its use. The surfactant changes the characteristics of the water by altering the surface tension so that the active ingredients can access the stain easily. From an environmental point of view it is therefore logical to replace the surfactant by enzymes. It makes even more sense when tackling typical stains or soil that are effectively removed by naturally occurring enzymes like protease and amylase that respectively  perform on protein and starch  stains. An addition of 1 to 2% of enzymes replaces a tenfold amount of surfactant.  

The enzymes that we use in these biological products are natural enzymes in their natural format – protease and amylase. These are non-patented enzymes .  (These enzymes are commonly found in saliva and the digestive tract for breaking down proteins and starch). Naturally these enzymes can be obtained from animals, but the common and economically viable way is the result of a fermentation process using naturally occurring micro organisms.  

When Ecover started to use enzymes we were able to obtain them from manufacturers who guaranteed the GMO free production process as well as the necessary safety and health measures both during the production process as well as during the use of the enzymes in our products afterwards. To obtain these safety standards, enzymes are encapsulated ,so that their power is released in the washing process and not before.   

Over the years however our sources have either been acquired by larger companies or they have modified their production processes by which GMO has entered our world.  

Today the enzymes themselves are generated from a micro organism that has undergone modification to increase its capacity to produce the enzyme. There is no modification to the enzymes produced and the micro organism is not modified to undertake a task that it was not designed for – this process could be likened to artificial insemination where the rate of fertilization is increased. However none of the other characteristics of both the micro organism and its protein are modified in any way that would not occur naturally.      

Please note that conventional products commonly use genetically modified enzymes where the modification creates an ‘unnatural’ performance – for example they are modified to work at 30 degrees or are resistant to a low ph rather than work at a natural temperature of 40 – 60 degrees, and expected ph. ( As an example for jeans the stonewash  effect  is obtained by using certain enzymes rather than the original  process of  washing the jeans using stones, certain enzymes are designed to  remove lipstick, needless to  say  that  these enzymes are not naturally occurring and are man made)  

So far the facts, now the considerations:  

At Ecover, we try and respect a wide range of views, whilst ensuring that we maintain our core proposition of ecological cleaning products that are developed around our own set of Ecover guidelines for sustainability. Over the years we have invested and pioneered products and ingredients around these principles endeavouring to continually improve our proposition against these principles. We are never content to stand still as we believe the arena is dynamic and that we should be aware of new developments in our area. We are constantly investigating new ingredients, updating formulations and striving to be ‘better’ for the environment.  

In considering  the decision to  continue using  enzymes when it  became clear to  us that  these were not  entirely  free of GMO we have considered the views of many stakeholders and we have consciously taken a decision that  was in the interest  of the largest  number of stakeholders of our company, as always with  the environment a priority.  

As the issue of GMO is however on top of many consumers’ agenda we have revisited the entire issue and whilst  we are still convinced we have taken the right  decision, we do realise that  our packaging information does not  reflect  the entire story. We can with 100% certainty  state that  the enzymes that  we use are not  genetically  modified but  this cannot be said of the current production process of these enzymes and our ingredient information might  suggest that this is the case.

We have now reviewed our ingredient information on all our packaging and have updated the ingredient declaration statement.   

Genetic Modification is a complex issue and Ecover does not endorse Genetic Modification in any higher organism - animal, plant or human.  

In addition, Ecover continues to strive to move forward and we are continually reviewing ingredient sources, opportunities and alternatives. We are currently actively investigating alternative sources for our enzymes and the production methods involved.