Active Concepts, an Italian company that creates cosmetic bioactives, points out that global warming, marked by record temperatures, directly affects the aging and quality of skin and hair. Cosmetic formulations use a variety of raw materials to protect these parts of the body, with polymers playing a key role.
In response to the need to reduce petrochemical pollutants worldwide, the beauty industry is increasingly turning to environmentally-friendly, biodegradable solutions. Biobased materials are considered essential for sustainability, and advances in biotechnology offer new ways to improve their effectiveness.
Among the solutions explored: upcycling, replacing traditional ingredients with sustainable alternatives derived from recycled food industry by-products, while maintaining high product performance standards.
Active Concepts was interested in reusing pineapple crown waste to extract cellulose, transforming this residue into a precursor for a new biopolymer.
Pineapple generates around 3 billion tonnes of by-products per year, mainly from the crown leaves. Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) is distinguished from other natural fibers by its high cellulose content, an important element for polymer reinforcement, biodegradable product additives, membrane reinforcement and the development of renewable biomaterials.
The Italian firm's expertise in biofermentation played a crucial role in the delicate elaboration of this active ingredient using a yeast-based cross-linking technology.
According to Active Concepts, AC Pina Colloida, the new biopolymer obtained by this process, improves the skin's protective barrier function, helping to retain moisture and prevent attacks from micro-pollution. By acting on the integrity of the dermo-epidermal junction, it could prevent the visible signs of ageing. In addition, AC Pina Colloida strengthens the structural integrity of hair by preventing the harmful effects of UV irradiation, resulting in healthier hair and demonstrating effective physical and sensory properties that improve overall skin coverage and product appearance.
