“Imposter Syndrome Is Real” With Laura Kuri Benavides, Director Of Sustainability At Integrity BioChem

Laura Benavides is the Director of Sustainability at Integrity BioChem and Vice President of Technology at Integrity Mining and Industrial, having excelled in her career at a young age after graduating with a biochemistry degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a first-generation college graduate, with a passion for sustainability, and credits her mother’s determination for teaching her that it is possible to follow your American dream and never give up.

In a recent episode of Flipping the Barrel, Laura Benavides—Director of Sustainability and VP of Technology at Integrity BioChem—shares how the company is proving that high-performing, biobased chemistry is not only possible, but profitable.

Here’s an Overview of this episode.

Performance-First Sustainability

At Integrity BioChem, sustainability isn’t an afterthought or a buzzword—it’s the foundation. From day one, the company’s technology has been rooted in biopolymer-based innovation, creating alternatives to traditional chemicals that perform as well—or better—than their synthetic counterparts.

“We didn’t build the company around a sustainability label,” Laura explains. “We built it around a technology that happened to be green—and powerful.”

That’s the key: no trade-offs. Integrity BioChem’s biobased surfactants, clay control agents, and non-emulsifiers work across harsh field conditions without sacrificing efficacy, safety, or supply consistency.

Leading the Shift from Greenwashing to Green Doing

Today’s clients—especially in oil and gas—are under mounting pressure to deliver on ESG metrics. But not all sustainability claims are created equal. Laura is helping change that by aligning product development with measurable environmental impact.

• Emissions tracking at IBC’s Texas production plant

• Supply chain engagement for sustainable procurement

• Expanding use of industrial by-products for zero-waste inputs

• Collaborating cross-functionally—from R&D to customer service—to ensure every step of the product lifecycle supports ESG goals

“Sustainability used to be handled in marketing decks. Now, we’re embedding it in operations,” Laura says.

Empowering Change Through People and Culture

As a startup veteran, Laura knows that innovation happens when people wear multiple hats, speak up, and get uncomfortable. That same mindset applies to sustainability.

By tapping into her biochemistry background, field experience, and deep understanding of customer needs, she’s helping Integrity BioChem turn sustainability from a corporate goal into a company-wide behavior.

“Our customers aren’t asking us to be green for the sake of it,” she says. “They want to lower their footprint without disrupting their workflow. We’re here to help them do that.”

Why It Matters Now

As the energy transition accelerates, companies across oil, gas, and industrial markets are rethinking their chemistries. Whether you’re trying to:

• Reduce Scope 3 emissions

• Improve regulatory alignment

• Replace underperforming legacy chemicals

• Or win new business with ESG-conscious partners

Biobased solutions will play a critical role—and Integrity BioChem is leading the charge.

Explore the future of sustainable chemistry today.
Listen to the full podcast episode featuring Laura Benavides on Flipping the Barrel and discover how real science, real leadership, and real results are reshaping the industry.

👉 Listen Now
👉 Learn More About IBC’s Sustainability Mission