International beauty giant L’Oréal has invested in a venture led by biotech company Geno to create plant-based alternatives to key beauty product ingredients alongside other leading companies.
L’Oréal said it would become a founding member of the venture alongside global consumer goods giant Unilever and Japanese cosmetics company Kao.
By using Geno’s biotechnology expertise, L’Oréal said it would replace traditional ingredients in its product range with bio-based alternatives, such as those made from plant-based sugars.
The move was in line with the company’s goal of achieving 100% eco-designed formulas and ingredients that are 95%-derived from renewable or abundant sources, L’Oréal said on 20 March.
“By working together with other beauty players, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources,” Barbara Lavernos, deputy CEO in charge of Research, Innovation and Technology at L’Oréal said.
As part of the venture, Geno said its biotechnology platform would be used to develop sustainable alternatives to ingredients in everyday cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products.
“L’Oréal’s commitment further accelerates Geno’s goal to reduce global carbon emissions by over 100M tonnes in the upcoming years by targeting massive scale material markets,” Geno CEO Christophe Schilling said.
Geno’s range includes Brontide butylene glycol, an ingredient for personal care products derived from plant sugars.
