There is a hidden chemical crisis which will have a huge impact on the South African environment if nothing is done to solve it.
According to statistics, more than 50% of rivers, streams and dams in South Africa are contaminated by chemicals – yet four million people rely on untreated surface water as their primary source of drinking water. The impact on both human health and the damage to marine life could be devastating.
Traditional personal care products, as well as industrial and household cleaners, contain chemicals called synthetic surfactants (compounds that reduce the surface tension of a liquid, allowing two substances to mix). South African formulators use more than 400,000 tonnes of these chemicals each year, and, unfortunately, these toxic substances end up in freshwater systems.
Dr Andre Valkenburg (left), a postdoctoral researcher at Stellenbosch University, recently completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering. He is pioneering the future of sustainable biosurfactants. His solution earned him sixth place and R25 000 in the EDHE Absa Top Student Innovator of the Year competition at the inaugural EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge finals on November 26. The EDHE ABSA Innovation Challenge is the largest student entrepreneurship initiative ever launched across South Africa’s 26 public universities, offering prize money of over R1million.
EDHE – a programme that aims to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of university students, academics and university leaders – is a collaboration between Universities South Africa (USAf) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It helps students become more economically active by providing support, running competitions such as the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge and EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity, while offering programmes and initiatives to foster entrepreneurial skills.
Dr Valkenburg is the founder of ReSurfify BioTech, which is leading the development of sustainable surface-active molecules for the next generation of eco-friendly chemistry solutions. Its ground-breaking process brews biosurfactants and turns waste into what it claims is the world’s most sustainable cleaning ingredient, made from used cooking oil.
Delighted that the product will help build the foundations of a circular economy in South Africa, he anticipates that more than 20,000 tonnes of waste cooking oil will be upcycled each year; 4,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions will be cut annually, and 3,000 tonnes of toxic chemicals will be removed annually from the environment. The innovation also has the potential to create 500 jobs across the entire value chain.
He explains: “ReSurfify BioTech is commercialising a continuous bioprocess for producing high‑performance microbial biosurfactants from waste and renewable feedstocks. These biosurfactants replace petroleum‑based surfactants used in cleaning, skincare, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, making supply chains more sustainable and locally resilient. I hope it will catalyse South Africa’s transition to locally produced, environmentally friendly chemicals, reduce reliance on imports, and open new economic and manufacturing opportunities using circular‑economy feedstocks such as waste cooking oil.
“The idea grew from my PhD research on glycolipid biosurfactants and from recognising South Africa’s heavy dependence on imported surfactants. I began developing the concept in 2024 and have since built it into a full technology pipeline together with Stellenbosch University.”
Several industry players are already either implementing or planning trials, he says.
The EDHE prize money will help fund a pilot‑scale demonstration of the process and help prepare for upcoming paid trials of ReSurfify BioTech, moving towards 5–50 L process optimisation, followed by pilot‑scale demonstration and early customer trials. The goal is to secure investment for a 10–50 m³ commercial facility.
In five years, he sees himself leading one of Africa’s first large-scale biosurfactant manufacturing facilities and helping grow the continent’s strong biotechnology ecosystem.
He was thrilled to be recognised in the Top 6 at the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge: “I feel incredibly honoured and grateful. Being among the top student innovators validated years of hard work and reinforces my belief that South African science can compete globally. Competitions like this give young innovators visibility, confidence, mentorship and access to networks that accelerate commercialisation. This support is critical for transforming student ideas into real-world impact.
“I am deeply grateful to my mentors, collaborators and Stellenbosch University. Most of all, I was incredibly honoured to be mentioned alongside the other contestants. I believe that these students are building South Africa’s future, and they have inspired me to keep pushing in my own field. I can’t wait to see what we all will achieve.”
His message for other student innovators is simple: “Back yourself, stay curious and don’t wait for the ‘perfect moment’ to start. Innovation happens when you combine scientific insight with courage and persistence.”
In his downtown, Dr Valkenburg says he enjoys travelling, playing football and exploring nature – “usually while thinking about new ideas anyway!”
Janine Greenleaf Walker is a contract writer for Universities South Africa.