Enzymes

The Basics

In order to offer consumer choice, a number of Ecover products contain enzymes: dishwasher tablets, biological washing powder, laundry tablets, stain remover. Ecover use enzymes to enhance the cleaning properties of these products. Ecover’s other products, including Non-Bio washing powder and laundry liquid do not contain enzymes.  

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are protein forms that act as catalysers in chemical processes. A washing process is a chemical process by which components interact. Enzyme components, which are environmentally safe and neutral, replace (and actually reduce) the use of surfactants in washing and cleaning products.

So what are surfactants? Surfactants are the active ingredient in a washing and cleaning product and they’re pretty harmful to our environment. This harm does not necessarily occur during the production process but more specifically in its use. Surfactants change the characteristics of water by altering the surface tension so that the active ingredient can access a stain more easily. But by incorporating enzymes into the formulation, we can reduce the amount of surfactant used, thus minimising the impact on the aquatic environment.

Ecover products effectively remove typical stains or soil on fabrics by using naturally occurring enzymes like protease and amylase that perform respectively on both protein and starch stains. Ecover only uses a tiny amount of enzymes. Even a small amount of enzymes in a product, like 1% to 2%, actually replaces 10 times the amount of surfactants required! 

Enzymes Used by Ecover

The enzymes that we use in our products are natural enzymes in their natural form – 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). Obviously, these enzymes can be obtained from animals, but the most common and cost effective way results from a fermentation process using naturally occurring micro organisms.  

When Ecover first started using these enzymes, manufacturers and suppliers were able to guarantee the GMO free production process as well as the necessary safety and health measures. Guarantees were made for both during the production process as well as, afterwards, during the enzyme use in our products. Safety standards are met when enzymes are encapsulated, meaning that their power is released during the washing process and no time prior to this.   

In recent years, our sources have been acquired by larger companies, some who have modified their production processes through which GMO has entered our world.

Today, the enzymes used by Ecover are strictly created through a micro organism that has undergone modification solely to increase its enzyme producing capacity. There is no modification of the enzymes produced and the micro organism is not modified to suit a purpose that it was not designed for. (You can compare this process to artificial insemination where only the rate of fertilization is increased.) None of the other characteristics of both the micro organism and its protein are modified in any way that would not occur naturally.      

So What Is The Difference?

The enzymes used in Ecover still differ from those used in conventional products. In those products, genetically modified enzymes are commonly used meaning that the modification creates an ‘unnatural’ performance. For example, the enzymes are modified to work at 30 degrees or are resistant to a low ph rather than work at a natural temperature of 40 to 60 degrees, and expected PH. Take the example of jeans washed for stonewash effect where the desired effect is achieved by using certain enzymes rather than the original process of washing jeans using stones. Other enzymes, for instance, are designed to remove lipstick or baby stains. Needless to say, these enzymes are not the work of nature.   

So, What Does Ecover Really Have To Say About GMO?  

At Ecover, honesty, integrity and transparency are core values. It is with respect to these values and the inherent ethos of the company where ecological, social and economic considerations play an integral part of our decisions, that we continuously pioneer and try to further improve the ecological performance of our products.

When our company decided to continue using enzymes to offer an effective cleaning choice, we took into account all our stakeholders’ views. Ecover’s final decision not only served the majority view, but primarily that of our environment.

Genetic Modification is a highly complex issue and Ecover does not endorse Genetic Modification of any higher life organism - animal, plant or human.  Ecover states with 100% certainty that its enzymes are not genetically modified. However, Ecover cannot claim the same for the current production process of these enzymes as ingredient information suggests.

The values of Ecover are not part of a tag line or a marketing campaign, but integrated into every aspect of this company. We are not a flawless operation, and we firmly believe that what we achieve today is not good enough for tomorrow, so we are constantly striving to improve. Whilst respecting the opinions of others, we have held fast to our principles for the past 27 years to get to where we are today.


Read More - Enzyme Production and Genetic Modification