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21/03/2022 CosmeticBusiness

Call For a New Generation of Sustainable Cosmetics

Unilever Launches a Competition for Ideas on Biodegradable Ingredients and Packaging

Consumer goods group Unilever has called upon start-ups, scale-ups and academic spin-offs worldwide to submit their ideas for a new generation of sustainable, natural and biodegradable beauty and body care products and packaging. Businesses and researchers can submit their concepts by 11 April and will then be given the chance to present these to the company’s leaders and experts and enter into a partnership with the group.

Challenging the Status Quo

The company explains that it is specifically looking for new solutions for biodegradable and sustainable skin and hair care products as well as deodorants and aerosols. These can include conditioning and sensory agents along with UV filters and boosters, colouring agents, preservatives and antioxidants. The brief also covers concepts for packaging that can be composted, is biodegradable in the sea, can show a reduced carbon footprint, originates from renewable resources or can replace current plastic applications. The manufacturer emphasises that bold new ideas are welcome, along with developers who are prepared to question the status quo in biodegradable ingredients today and examine what could be used in the future.

Support for Positive Beauty

This is the second challenge that the company has run on its Positive Beauty Growth Platform. The platform was set up by Unilever last year to strengthen its commitment to fair, integrative and sustainable product ranges. According to the group, the platform will speed up its science and technology programmes, increase the number of innovation partnerships and lead to positive benefits for consumers.

Around 300 start-ups and scale-ups took part in the first challenge. From the 33 submissions which made it to the final round, some are already working together with the group on pilot projects for cosmetics and body care brands.

Source: Unilever Photo: Adobe Stock, misskaterina

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