Surfactant technology enables straightforward, beneficial on-scale chemo- and biocatalytic transformations. Its implementation delivers broad environmental, economic, and productivity gains: reduced organic solvent use, lower water consumption, shorter cycle times, milder conditions, and improved yields and selectivities, resulting in a greener footprint and lower manufacturing costs. Modern non-ionic surfactants for micellar catalysis (e.g., TPGS-750-M, PS-750-M and derivatives) allow reactions to run in water with catalytic amounts of designer surfactants plus a suitable organic co-solvent, replacing traditional, less desirable solvents. These surfactant-mediated processes can be scaled in existing multi-purpose pharmaceutical or chemical facilities. Growing understanding of the underlying physical phenomena and component roles is guiding the design of superior catalytic systems, further enhancing process performance and sustainability.