Bio-D

Bio-D was founded in 1989 and began with a vision rooted in personal experience and environmental concern. Founder Michael Barwell, who worked cleaning and maintaining commercial ships, noticed alarming similarities between the ingredients in the industrial cleaners he used, and everyday household cleaning products. As a parent and a member of Greenpeace, Michael grew increasingly concerned about the impact these chemicals would have on the environment.

Determined to make a change, Michael left the ship-cleaning industry, and Bio-D was born. After 21 years at the helm, Michael retired, and Lloyd Atkin – who joined Bio-D as its first employee in 1996, took over as managing director.

Lloyd said: “Since becoming MD I have made sure to continue Michael’s legacy of being environmentally responsible and ethically conscious, whilst growing the company commercially.

“After bringing manufacturing in-house and continuously developing our product range, Bio-D is now the UK’s leading manufacturer of environmentally responsible, ethically sound, vegan cleaning products.”

Bio-D’s product range incorporates everything from handwash, and all purpose sanitiser, which is tested to be effective against Coronavirus, to washing up liquid, toilet cleaner, laundry detergent and dishwasher tablets. It also produces eco-friendly cleaning products for other well-known brands.

All of Bio-D’s products are created from 100% plant based and naturally derived ingredients and are free from artificial preservatives and perfumes. A range of its fragrance free products are also accredited by Allergy UK, meaning they are beneficial for allergy sufferers based on expert opinion.

Its range of products are available in consumer sizes, as well as larger five and 20 litre refill sizes to help reduce plastic use. With recyclable bottles that are also created from 100% post-consumer plastic, Bio-D was the first UK consumer cleaning brand to use post-consumer plastic in its packaging. 

In the past year alone, Bio-D has saved over 70 tonnes of CO2e by using bottles created from 100% post-consumer plastic.

Its ‘No Brainer Container’ closed-loop system means Bio-D customers can also return, refill and reuse its 20 litre containers – dramatically reducing the amount of plastic used. This was much-anticipated and regularly requested from customers – who are as passionate about reducing plastic use as Bio-D is.

To date, Bio-D customers have returned over 13,000 20 litre refill containers, saving over 13 tonnes of plastic from landfill. This is over 500,000 plastic bottles.

In 2022 Bio-D secured B Corp Certification, cementing the business as a leader in the global movement for an inclusive, fair and regenerative economy. It was the first business in Hull to secure the certification.

In 2024 Bio-D received a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, recipients of which demonstrate outstanding success in their field, and are recommended by both the Prime Minister and His Majesty The King.

The team’s passion for research and development has added great value to Bio-D, and has significantly contributed towards the company’s economic growth, as well as its sustained and new market share. 

Lloyd continued: “Bio-D’s main priorities are to continue with our holistic approach, continue to innovate, and to do the right thing. What sets us aside is that we remain independent and are a local British manufacturer. Everyone wants to support a British manufacturer, a kudos that greatly appeals to our export markets.”

To remain true to its philosophy and produce ethically viable products, Bio-D has traceability on its ingredients and packaging.

A range of its products also conform to food standard grade BSEN1276, ensuring they help to safely control traces of E.coli, Salmonella and MRSA, and the company is a member of sustainable business and supply chain solutions group Sedex.

All of Bio-D’s products are approved by Cruelty Free International and the Vegan Society. In fact, Bio-D is the longest registered holder of The Vegan Trademark.

The company has been so successful that it has relocated its operations to a 35,000 sqft site on Marfleet Environmental Technology Park on Hedon Road, providing more room to manufacture products after a significant rise in demand.