Biotech company Cellugy, based in Denmark, intends to substitute microplastics in cosmetic products.
In a significant stride towards sustainable living, Danish biotech company Cellugy has secured €8.1 million in funding from the EU's LIFE Programme for environmental projects. This funding will accelerate the production of EcoFLEXY, a groundbreaking biodegradable material designed to replace microplastics in cosmetics.
EcoFLEXY, a biofabricated cellulose-based rheology modifier, is set to make a significant impact in the personal care industry. Claimed to match the performance of fossil-based carbomers, EcoFLEXY is poised to revolutionise the global $3.2 billion rheology modifier market, which currently relies heavily on fossil-based, microplastic ingredients.
By 2034, EcoFLEXY is projected to reduce microplastic pollution by up to 1,289 tons annually, preventing these microplastics from entering ecosystems via products like skincare, shampoo, and makeup. This environmental impact is equivalent to removing millions of contaminated beauty products from the market each year.
The BIOCARE4LIFE project, under which the funding was awarded, aims to scale production and accelerate commercial readiness of EcoFLEXY. The material is expected to replace about 70% of the current market, delivering a sustainable, high-performance alternative to microplastics in cosmetics.
To optimise every layer of EcoFLEXY's production for cost and performance, Cellugy has partnered with Sci2sc, a Berlin-based AI company that develops AI agents for biotech companies. The Footprint Firm, a consultancy specialising in life cycle assessment and environmental footprinting, will also collaborate with Cellugy for environmental validation.
Dr. Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder of Cellugy, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Delivering bio-based solutions that outperform petrochemicals is crucial for industry change." She further added that EcoFLEXY, being the first material of its kind to match the performance of fossil-based carbomers, will play a pivotal role in driving this change.
Carbomers, a common ingredient in cosmetics, are known for giving products a smooth, consistent texture and a long shelf life. However, their fossil-based nature and links to microplastic pollution and human health side effects have prompted regulatory pressure against them in the EU. This positions Cellugy to meet the demand for more sustainable materials in the cosmetics sector.
With the funding, Cellugy expects to generate significant revenue within three to five years while delivering a measurable environmental impact. The company's mission is not just to substantially reduce microplastic pollution but also to penetrate a major segment of the cosmetic ingredient market with a sustainable, high-performance alternative.
- The European Union's LIFE Programme funding for environmental projects will contribute to the science and health-and-wellness sectors by accelerating the production of EcoFLEXY, a biodegradable material designed to replace microplastics in cosmetics, thereby addressing climate-change concerns related to plastic pollution.
- The environmental-science field will witness a revolution as EcoFLEXY, a biofabricated cellulose-based rheology modifier, is projected to replace about 70% of the current market, delivering a sustainable, high-performance alternative to microplastics in cosmetics, thereby reducing microplastic pollution by up to 1,289 tons annually.
- In the realm of technology, Cellugy has partnered with Sci2sc, a Berlin-based AI company, to optimise every layer of EcoFLEXY's production for cost and performance, demonstrating the integration of AI in the biotech industry for the purpose of creating more sustainable materials.
