At the "Trees and other plants of the cosmetopoeia" conference held in Cayenne on 28, 29 and 30 March, organized by CIRAD in partnership with the cluster, Cosmetic Valley, the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana and its development agency Guyane Développement Innovation (GDI) signed an agreement to create "Cosmetic Valley Guyane", a new branch of the cluster that will be in charge, in particular, of developing the Amazonian cosmetopoeia and the cosmetics industry in French Guiana. This signature extends the framework contract signed in 2018 between the same partners, and completes a rapprochement marked by the election to the board of the cluster, in 2021, of two directors from this overseas territory: the University of Cayenne and the company Bio Stratège.
This is the fifth major location for Cosmetic Valley, which is now present in Chartres (headquarters) for the Centre/Val-de-Loire region and the whole of France, in Caen for Normandy, in Bordeaux for New Aquitaine, in Brussels to strengthen ties with the European Union, and in Cayenne for French Guiana.
"The signing of this winning agreement marks a very important step forward for Cosmetic Valley. By opening a branch in French Guiana, the cluster aims to strengthen French excellence in the field of raw materials and to contribute to the development of overseas territories by relying on the concept of cosmetology. Here in Cayenne, in this beautiful department which has one of the largest natural wooded areas in one piece, there is marine and terrestrial wealth, authentic and safe ingredients, a respect for biodiversity that protects the planet at a time when our customers are demanding naturalness, a well-being that is not unethical, local and clean production. These are the characteristics of the Guyanese cosmetics industry. To succeed in our ecological transition and expand our network, but also to increase the international and continental influence of the territory, to increase its employment rate and its growth, to lead it in a process of excellence, our cooperation makes sense: that of a step forward.said Marc-Antoine Jamet, President of Cosmetic Valley.
"The Cosmetic Valley cluster aims to be a world leader in the perfumery and cosmetics industry and to be a natural driver of the French industry. I am delighted to sign an agreement to promote the creation of a branch called: Cosmetic Valley Guyana. I am especially pleased to see the emergence of a Guianese and Amazonian cosmetics, and to see the number of jobs in the cosmetics sector on our territory. And you will allow me to emphasize first of all, the requirement of respect for local knowledge accumulated by local populations, and that, if each link of the value chain is concerned, we must nevertheless pay particular attention to the upstream, that is to say to the producers on whom all the constraints rest. I would also like to emphasize the profound coherence of our action: it is one and the same impetus that leads us to want more autonomy in the conduct of our internal affairs (and especially our development policy), and that dictates a strategy of valorization of our natural resources.continued Gabriel Serville, President of the Territorial Collectivity of Guyana.
Cosmetopoeia in the French overseas territories, a priority for the Cosmetic Valley cluster
In order to meet the requirements of natural cosmetic products, product formulas are increasingly incorporating bio-sourced ingredients of natural origin. Sourcing natural raw materials that respect biodiversity and are based on dialogue with producing countries is now a priority. Initiated by Cosmetic Valley in French Polynesia about ten years ago, the cosmetopoeia program is the subject of numerous R&D projects and theses around the world, in partnership with universities in several countries: Gabon, Madagascar, Mayotte, and especially Guyana, with the "Valorextra" project, which aims to research molecules from five species of the Guiana wood industry to formulate a cosmetic anti-oxidant, and the Cayenne congress.
"The development of cosmetopoeia throughout the world, in partnership with local authorities and research institutions, represents a formidable lever for the development of knowledge on plants, a tool for the conservation of biodiversity and traditional uses of plants, and a means of raising public awareness of climate issues. It allows for an awareness of territorial wealth and the implementation of global strategies for research, training, and responsible economic development. Cosmetic Valley has made the development of cosmetology in overseas territories a priority: the presence of French territories on all continents offers "Made in France" the ability to enhance a rich and still little known biodiversity. The consideration of cosmetopoeia by each of these territories represents a tremendous asset to preserve their richness and establish sustainable economic sectors.says the competitiveness cluster.
