•Development and evaluation of three downstream process concepts.•Model-based solvent selection for efficient rhamnolipid extraction.•Evaluation of impact of pH value and phase ratio on liquid-liquid extraction.•Investigation of pH-shift precipitation and subsequent solid-liquid extraction.•Recoveries above 75 w% and purities above 98 w% were achieved. Biosurfactants, such as rhamnolipids, are sustainable alternatives for petrochemically produced surfactants. Rhamnolipids can be produced based on sustainable carbon sources and merge promising properties like low toxicity, high biodegradability, and specific activities, even at extreme conditions. Despite these properties, which make rhamnolipids interesting for a wide range of applications, rhamnolipids could not be fully established in the market. One reason constitutes unreliable and cost intensive downstream processing. In the recent past, only limited effort was spent in the development, in-depth investigation, and optimisation of downstream processing concepts for rhamnolipids. Major focuses were set on production strain development and structural studies. In the present contribution, this knowledge gap is addressed. Three downstream process concepts were gradually developed based on a model-based solvent screening. Influences of relevant process parameters of applied unit operations in respective downstream process concepts were evaluated with regard to the performance criteria recovery and purity. All developed and optimised downstream process concepts yielded recoveries of mono-rhamnolipids and 3-(3-hydroxyalkanoyloxy)alkanoic acids above 75 w% with purities above 98 w%.