Søborg-based biotech startups Cellugy and Bioli have formed a partnership to introduce a new sustainable skincare product. Bioli’s Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream incorporates EcoFLEXY, a biofabricated cellulose-based ingredient developed by Cellugy, as a rheology modifier. EcoFLEXY is a biobased alternative to the commonly used petrochemical-based modifiers, offering a biodegradable solution for the cosmetics industry. The product is designed to be effective yet gentle, with a focus on sustainability, and aims to replace fossil-based ingredients with high-performance, environmentally friendly options. This collaboration highlights the growing shift toward sustainable practices in the cosmetics and personal care sector.
Formulated for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and with the environment in mind, Bioli’s new product: Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream, is a biotech skincare solution that’s mild yet effective and more sustainable, comprising 100% biodegradable ingredients and packaging. Based on bioactive enzyme technology for antioxidant protection, the product also incorporates Cellugy’s EcoFLEXY as a biobased rheology modifier to achieve a high-quality texture. While most rheology modifiers currently used come from petrochemical sources, EcoFLEXY is a biobased, fully biodegradable alternative made from high-purity, crystalline cellulose derived from the bioconversion of sugar using Cellugy’s first-of-its-kind fermentation platform.
“It’s fantastic to see EcoFLEXY put to use as an ingredient in a commercially available product for the first time. We’re also very happy to support Bioli’s unique concept as we share a common vision for a more sustainable future in skincare,” said Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder at Cellugy. “In EcoFLEXY, we’ve developed a solution that’s now ready to be adopted by manufacturers looking for the high-performance of petrochemical rheology modifiers with the sustainability benefits of biobased options.”
Fossil-based petrochemicals are used in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products due to their desirable functional properties, for example, as rheology modifiers to thicken and stabilize formulations. These are present in over 70% of products on the market. As sustainability regulations tighten, widespread bans on harmful ingredients like microplastics and PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals, are putting the cosmetics industry under pressure to adopt safer alternatives.
Other rheology modifiers, such as xantham gum, are available, but they have limitations, including a sticky and unpleasant feeling texture and lower efficiency than their petrochemical counterparts. As a premium, high-performance product, one of the most critical factors in Bioli’s selection of EcoFLEXY was its ability to provide a superior user experience and sensorial texture without compromising on other performance factors, like the preservation of sensitive active ingredients.
“A key challenge in premium skincare is finding sustainable ingredients that deliver both performance and a superior user experience,” says Aldo Seguel, Chief Science Officer at Bioli. “EcoFLEXY provides that essential high-quality texture and a silky-smooth feel that doesn’t grain up on the skin. It delivers all this while at the same time ensuring our products remain biodegradable and environmentally friendly.”
“In our mission to launch high-quality bioactive products with the lowest possible environmental impact, including biodegradability, we have been searching for the right ingredients. Cellugy aligns perfectly with this,” said Nina Wiberg Rosenquist, CEO of Bioli. “The partnership arose through both companies having offices in the Alfa Laval Innovation House. We immediately saw a shared vision, developed product samples, and quickly established that EcoFLEXY would be a great match for Bioli’s needs. The collaboration also shows that when ambitious, forward-thinking companies come together, how rapidly and agilely we can move from R&D to market-ready products.”
Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream is the first product in a series, with more to follow soon. The product is available from Bioli’s online web store, with interest from additional retailers, including pharmacies throughout Denmark. Meanwhile, discussions are underway for distribution deals for EcoFLEXY covering eleven key cosmetics markets in the EU and the US. Cellugy now aims to scale up production to commercial volumes and targets a full commercial launch in April 2025 at the In-cosmetics Global exhibition in Amsterdam.
“We’re ready to show the world that it’s possible to meet the strict performance standards demanded in high-end personal care products with biobased, biodegradable ingredients,” Alvarez-Martos concludes. “This is only the beginning – we’re ready and open for new collaborations and eager to explore further applications across the cosmetics and personal care industries.”
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/cellugy-and-bioli-partner/
