Why You Should Be Formulating Laundry Detergents with Enzymes

If you’re currently formulating laundry detergents or looking to expand into laundry care—there’s one ingredient you really shouldn’t overlook: enzymes.

What Modern Enzyme Science Tells Us
Enzymes like proteases, amylases, lipases and cellulases provide powerful stain removal—working effectively in low-temperature, low-surfactant formulations while preserving fabric integrity and offering improved whiteness and odor control.1
Recent advances in enzyme engineering are further enhancing stability and cold water performance, reducing the need for chemical stabilizers and enabling clean, sustainable detergents.2

Performance & Sustainability Gains
Enzyme-compatible detergents allow effective cleaning at lower wash temperatures, enabling energy and water savings while reducing reliance on harsh surfactants or phosphates.3
A lifecycle analysis of enzyme-based concentrated detergents (e.g. for cleaning high speed trains) revealed a carbon footprint of just ~2.5 kg CO₂ eq per kg product—comparable or better than compact detergents—especially since enzyme containing formulations can significantly reduce total material usage.4

Technical Edge for Formulators

  • Targeted stain removal: Proteases handle protein soils (blood, sweat), amylases digest starches, lipases tackle grease, cellulases prevent fuzz/pilling and inhibit dye transfer.
  • Broad pH and temperature stability: Engineered enzymes operate across harsh formulation conditions—even at low wash temperatures.
  • Compatibility with surfactants: Modern enzyme systems are robust in typically challenging detergent matrices, with optimized formulations to minimize protease autolysis or denaturation.5

 

Request More Information

Key Benefits for Your New or Reformulated Laundry Line

  1. Efficient stain removal in cold water. This saves energy and enables gentle washing cycles.
  2. Improved fabric life. Incorporating a cellulase into your formulation helps protect fibers and colors, preserving the “like new” look of fabrics.
  3. Allows for eco and biobased label claims. Enzymes promote energy savings, as well as a reduction in chemical load to the environment.
  4. Safe for use on specialty fabrics. Enzymes can be tailored for use in formulations designed for activewear, technical textiles, and delicate fabrics.
  5. Clean, consumer-friendly storytelling. Using phrases like “plant-based enzymes,” “energy savings,” and “biodegradable” will create a nice buzz around your products.

On top of all that, the global laundry industry is valued at over $90 billion with natural and luxury detergent segments growing fastest.7 You can see them all over social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In fact, I recently bought Mozi Wash Cozy Cashmere and love it (this product DOES feature enzymes for stain removal).

If you’re worried about entering this market space, or need a way to differentiate, you can try to pair your enzymes with unique and luxury fragrances, unit dose formats like pods, tablets, sheets, etc., a specialty application like a pet laundry or detergent for athletic wear, or even focus on value-based branding like “locally sourced,” “plastic-free,” or “carbon neutral” if applicable.


Possible Label Claims You Can Leverage

  • Effective in cold water (e.g. 20 °C)
  • Plant powered stain removal
  • Compatible with delicate or technical fabrics
  • Targets tough stains: sweat, grass, oil
  • Biodegradable enzymes — eco conscious formulation
  • Preserves color and fabric integrity over time

Custom Enzyme Selection: Why Precision Matters

Whether launching a concentrated liquid, powder or tablet format, a detergent line for performance fabrics or sensitive skin lines—the right enzyme blend is key.
Consider durability across storage, activity window, interaction with surfactants, and stabilization requirements.

How Barentz Supports Your Enzyme-Enhanced Formulation Journey
At Barentz, we help you choose and integrate the enzyme systems that best align with your goals:

  • Access to liquid enzymes and premium enzyme blends, including multi enzyme systems tuned for tough stains, cold performance, fabric care, or sensitive skin.
  • Technical formulation support: selecting enzymes, optimizing dosage, ensuring compatibility.
  • Regulatory and claim guidance, backed by documentation and studies to support label language.
  • Sampling and pilot scale testing, plus access to complementary green ingredients.
  • Sustainability insights to support eco friendly messaging.

Start Formulating with Enzymes Today

Don’t let hesitation hold back your entry into laundry care—or hinder upgrading your existing line. Enzymes bridge performance, sustainability, and marketing. With Barentz by your side, your innovation can deliver measurable results—for clothes, consumers and the planet.
Let’s collaborate to formulate detergents that clean smarter, perform better, and tell a compelling story.

Sources:

  1. Knight, C. T. G. (2012). The role of enzymes in detergent products. Journal of Surfactants and Detergents. cleaninginstitute.org
  2. Hoekstra, A. J., Carey, E., & Graycar, T. P. (2023, November). Advances in enzyme engineering: Delivering on the need for sustainable laundry detergents. SOFW Journal, 149.
  3. Niyonzima, F. N., & More, S. S. (2015). Coproduction of bacterial enzymes and stain removal evaluation. Journal of Basic Microbiology.
  4. Chang, J., & Huang, . (2022). Life cycle assessment of a concentrated complex enzyme detergent (Model TL1003 1). Environmental Science & Technology.
  5. Chi, M. C., Liao, T. Y., & Lin, M. G. (2021). Catalytic performance of a recombinant esterase in the presence of surfactants. Journal of Biochemical Technology.
  6. AISE & AMFEP. (2024, February). The role and importance of enzymes in cleaning and disinfection.
  7. Statista. (2024). Global laundry detergent market size 2023–2030. Retrieved August 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1234567/laundry-detergent-market-size-worldwide/"

Sign-up to Stay in the Know

Sign-up for our newsletter to stay on top of market trends, new product innovation and more! And as always, make sure you're following us on LinkedIn!

Subscribe Today
Back to Blog Listing