British specialty chemicals company Croda International is committed to phasing out petrochemical feedstocks in favour of bio-based raw materials, recycling and waste materials. Companies should focus on resource-saving carbon sources such as exhaust gas recycling and the abundant biopolymer lignin, and ensure sustainability along the entire value chain, according to a trend study marking the 100th anniversary of the company, which specialises in ingredients for skin and hair care. The report is entitled "Navigating the future of innovative ingredients – Trends shaping the next 25 years".

On the way to nature positive

According to Croda, the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risk Report identifies a lack of natural resources, loss of biodiversity, critical changes to Earth systems and extreme weather events caused by climate change as key risks for the cosmetics industry. "It is essential that companies transition to nature positive," the study emphasises. They should protect and restore species, ecosystems and natural processes. The shift from petrochemical raw materials to bio-based, recycled and waste materials will gain momentum, and the proportion of petrochemical raw materials used in the cosmetics industry will decline significantly over the next 25 years. Croda sees biotechnologies such as plant cell cultures, fermentation and marine microorganisms as sustainable production technologies. One example is the active ingredient Luceane, which is obtained through the biofermentation of a marine bacterium. "We see that a large proportion of consumers want to buy sustainable products from companies that behave responsibly and offer solutions to climate change," says Croda.

Ultra-personalisation for the world

At the same time, experts predict that beauty care will become increasingly digital and personalised by 2050, with biometric skin and hair analyses providing real-time insight into individual needs. Personal care companies could use biometric data to develop care products tailored to a person's skin pH. Artificial intelligence will also support formulation development, rapid testing and prototyping. Manufacturers will need to make their portfolios more flexible in order to offer "ultra-personalised" products for different regions, age groups and skin types. Other growth drivers include the market for older consumers and demand in emerging regions with a growing middle class. Croda International is a speciality chemicals company founded in 1925 in the United Kingdom. The Croda Beauty brand supplies ingredients and biotechnology solutions for skin and hair care.

Source: Croda