Groupe Berkem, a leading player in plant-based chemistry, has signed a distribution agreement with Kreglinger, a major player in the distribution of specialty ingredients, for all its cosmetic ingredients destined for the UK market.
Founded in Antwerp in 1797, Kreglinger is one of the last independent distributors of specialty ingredients on the European market. Its core activities include the promotion and distribution of specialized ingredients for end markets as diverse as food, cosmetics and crop protection. The company also has a cosmetics department dedicated to providing its customers with the most appropriate advice for the creation of new solutions, thanks to its wide range of raw materials of natural and organic origin.
Groupe Berkem has chosen to partner with this recognized player to distribute its cosmetic ingredients in the UK, one of Europe's most important markets, to manufacturers keen to enhance the naturalness of their products. The Group thus continues to reinforce its strategy of international expansion for the distribution of its products.
Éric Moussu, Sales Director of Groupe Berkem, comments: " With this new agreement, Groupe Berkem continues and reinforces its strategy of internationalizing its solutions for the cosmetics market. The UK is one of the three main markets for this industry in Europe, and we are proud to partner with a group such as Kreglinger to distribute our ingredients there. We are convinced that the experience and expertise acquired by Kreglinger will enable us to increase our market share in this very buoyant territory.. "
Wim Arnouts, CEO of Kreglinger, adds: " We are delighted to be able to offer our British customers Groupe Berkem's range of plant-based ingredients. This should arouse great interest among manufacturers in the cosmetics sector, who are constantly on the lookout for innovation and are more than ever keen to benefit from the virtues of biobased products.. "
Berkem Group signs UK partnership with Kreglinger
Dermial: the first hyaluronic acid matrix ingredient for skin and beauty
A new paper, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, has concluded that Bioiberica's Dermial ingredient - the first hyaluronic acid-based matrix ingredient for skin and beauty - exhibits anti-aging, regenerative and antioxidant properties in skin cells. The peer review confirms Dermial's promising potential in developing cutting-edge products for the growing nutricosmetics space - creating exciting opportunities for brands in the dietary supplements, functional foods and cosmetics sectors.
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as hyaluronic acid (HA), are an important component of the skin's extracellular matrix, and have been shown to maintain skin hydration and regulate cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. With age, GAGs decline, as do the concentration and quality of dermal collagen and elastin, resulting in a loss of skin hydration, dermal thickness and healthy appearance. The study aimed to extract, characterize and evaluate the benefits of Bioiberica's hyaluronic acid matrix ingredient, Dermial, at an in vitro level, for skin and beauty innovation.
The results of the study showed that Dermial has a high concentration of hyaluronic acid (67 %) and is also composed of other GAGs, such as dermatan sulfate, and collagen. In vitro evaluation of the ingredient's biological activity in keratinocytes and fibroblasts showed that it induced cell proliferation and migration, and increased the synthesis of type I and III collagen, elastin and GAGs. This suggests that it has moisturizing, regenerative and anti-aging properties. The study also revealed Dermial's antioxidant properties in skin cells - the first time the ingredient's protective role against oxidative stress has been demonstrated. In addition, the hyaluronic acid matrix ingredient is readily absorbed in the gut, indicating that it could be used in oral and topical skin care applications.
Dermial is a hyaluronic acid-based matrix solution backed by science, but with a difference. Its unique combination of three natural components - hyaluronic acid, other GAGs such as dermatan sulfate and collagen - works synergistically to nourish the skin at a low dose of 60 mg/day. In addition to the promising results mentioned above, Dermial has demonstrated a superior effect to that of pure hyaluronic acid of fermentary origin, a well-known ingredient in skin care.
" The findings of this latest peer-reviewed article mark an exciting development in Dermial research - further verifying the scientific benefits of the ingredient and its potential in nutricosmetics "says Daniel Martínez Puig, Head of Human Health R&D, Bioiberica. " We look forward to opening up exciting prospects for brands already present in this market or considering entering it. Following these promising results, our next step will be to conduct a clinical trial to confirm Dermial's efficacy in humans.".
Antonio Vendrell, Bioiberica's Marketing Director, adds: " The "beauty from the inside out" market has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by growing consumer interest in general wellbeing, the holistic health movement and the realization that beauty can be achieved from the inside out through nutrition. Many consumers are taking a more proactive approach to their skin's health, making them more inclined to try nutritional solutions, including ingestible beauty products. This has created a new space for new ingredients, such as Dermial - our hyaluronic acid-based matrix ingredient.".
Sebastien Lacouture, perfumer for Scentmate by Firmenich, wins the "Best Perfume" award at the Concours International de la Mouillette d'Argent.
Sebastien Lacouture, perfumer at Scentmate by Firmenich, was awarded the prize for best perfume at the Concours international de la Mouillette d'Argent 2023 for his fragrance Bergamotte Torrefiee. As winner, he also took home the Rosendo Mateu prize.
Lacouture has twenty years' experience in the industry and currently works as a perfumer at Scentmate by Firmenich, creating exceptional fragrances according to his customers' needs. Bergamotte Torrefiee is based on a vibrant duality between the sparkling freshness of bergamot and the warm spirit of roasted coffee beans. The result is a unique balance of fresh and warm sensations, both dynamic and welcoming, with great persistence.
Lacouture's creation was chosen from among a hundred participants from 25 different countries, who based their fragrances on the olfactory note of the year, bergamot, after a final and exhaustive pre-selection by a jury presided over by master perfumer Ramón Monegal, a full member of the prestigious Académie du Parfum, which brings together some of the world's best Spanish-speaking perfumers.
The jury was rounded out by experts from the world of perfume, art, design and gastronomy, including the three winners of the 2022 edition, Jessica Mignot (Nez), Elizabeth Vidal de Puig, Irene Gisbert (Ainea Perfums), sommelier César Cánovas, architect Susanna Cots, Charo Moreno (Beautyprof) and youtubers Andrés Croxatto and Juan López Becerril.
Euforia by Nina Lamaison also took the prize for best independent fragrance, while Sole Calabrese by Max Rossa won the People's Choice Award.
The Concours International de la Parfumerie celebrated its sixth edition, asserting itself as a meeting place for lovers of olfactory culture and a space for the discovery of young talent who wish to showcase their creative abilities.
Eurofragance wins EcoVadis gold medal
The Spanish perfume house was rewarded for its ESG actions, policies and results.
The multinational scored 77 points out of 100 on the EcoVadis evaluation scale.
The company feels encouraged to forge ahead with its sustainability program and rally as many of its partners as possible.
Eurofragance, the Spanish multinational headquartered in Barcelona, has been awarded an EcoVadis Gold Medal in recognition of its sustainability efforts. Since receiving the EcoVadis Silver Medal in 2109, the perfume manufacturer has accelerated its efforts towards greater sustainability. The company's local and international efforts and the resulting positive results are published in the fragrance house's annual sustainability report.
Encouraged by results and recognition, Eurofragance sets its sights even higher
The multinational, which was assessed by the recognized sustainability rating provider EcoVadis in the cleaning products, detergents and fragrances segment, achieved a sustainability score of 77 points out of 100. In particular, compared to other companies in its sector assessed by the certification platform, Eurofragance scored well above average in the areas of "environment" and "labor and human rights". Nevertheless, Eurofragance also addressed the three key pillars of sustainable development.
Diana March, Global Director of Sustainability and Technical Compliance at Eurofragance, admits that it's nice to be recognized for one's efforts and says: " Virtually every Eurofragance employee is committed to sustainable development, and this EcoVadis Gold Medal recognizes the hard work and dedication of each and every one of them. It also encourages us to set our sights even higher and keep moving forward." . Mr. March adds that with almost 400 employees, spread across seven subsidiaries worldwide, there are always several sustainability projects underway at each site.
Eurofragance's Icon program spreads its wings around the world
At the end of 2022, Eurofragance launched its Icon program to improve the quality and sustainability of the raw materials it acquires to create fragrances. Through this wide-ranging program, Eurofragance encourages all its suppliers to produce and market ingredients whose sustainability values have been verified (for example, environmentally friendly, ethically sourced, biodegradable...).
On the subject of the Icon program, Diana March says: " Our sustainability slogan is "make fragrances, take care of people and the planet" and I really think we're on the right track, but it's important to get as many people on board as possible. I feel that's exactly what Icon is doing. Together, we'll shape a sustainable future. "
SGH Medical Pharma strengthens its position in the primary packaging market
The plastics group recently obtained Iso 22000 " certification Food safety management "for its plant mainly dedicated to the manufacture of primary packaging for nutraceuticals and medicines.
SGH Medical Pharma, an international group specializing in the design and manufacture of medical devices and plastic consumables for the pharmaceutical, life sciences and diagnostics industries, has obtained ISO 22000 certification for its Eskiss plant in the Allier region. This completes the ISO 13 485, 15 378 and 14 001 certifications already held by the group for its Isère and Aindin sites.
An ISO 22000-certified process
The Group has voluntarily taken steps to obtain the international standard Iso 22000, which ". defines the requirements for a food safety management system whose compliance with the standard can be certifiede ". At its plant in the Allier region, SGH Medical Pharma designs and manufactures a wide range of bottles (and associated closures), pillboxes and Unicadoses, the packaging used to replace double-ended glass ampoules for all types of nutraceuticals, dietetic cosmetics and liquid foods.
SGH Medical Pharma's regulatory experts have identified the food safety risks associated with production, with a view to deploying the resources needed to control them over time. In particular, they have worked on production organization and manufacturing procedures to demonstrate SGH Medical Pharma's ability to control risks and supply safe products in line with their intended use. This involves, for example, regular analyses to prove that there is no migration of materials from the packaging to the contents.
Pharmaceutical-grade raw materials
SGH Medical Pharma not only complies with ISO 22000 standards to guarantee the quality of its products, but also goes one step further by offering a range of primary packaging made from pharmaceutical and/or food-grade materials. Some products comply with European Pharmacopoeia 2.9.27 and are suitable for contact with medicines. Others are suitable for contact with foodstuffs, such as HDPE pillboxes, suitable only for use with dietary supplements, vitamins or dietetic cosmetics.
" This award once again confirms the excellence of our production process. We do everything in our power to offer quality products, and are committed to meeting today's environmental challenges. So, in addition to traditional PET, PP and HDPE products, we offer an alternative with our Greenov range of eco-responsible packaging. It includes primary packaging made from recycled and/or biosourced plastics. Greenov is part of our CSR approach. Indeed, our Group has set itself the objective of helping to replace raw materials derived from fossil fuels with recycled and/or biosourced materials, wherever this is permitted by the regulations with which it must comply. By proposing Greenov to our customers, we give them the opportunity to use products offering the undeniable qualities of injected plastic - it's light, affordable, transformable, resistant and recyclable - while doing something for the planet.says Olivier Derouard, Sales and Marketing Director.
Givaudan Active Beauty launches the B-Biome Score
The first scientifically-proven, transparent 100% microbiome-friendly label for cosmetic ingredients.
Givaudan Active Beauty sets a new standard in skin microbiome testing with the launch of B-Biome Score. Completely transparent and accessible to the entire beauty industry, the B-Biome Score label is microbiome-friendly and scientifically demonstrated, backed by a scientific publication and approved by an expert in dermatology. For greater accessibility and understanding, B-Biome Score results are indicated by letters from A to E.
In recent years, consumers have become familiar with the skin microbiome trend, whose benefits are now highly sought-after. A recent global study2 conducted by Givaudan Active Beauty showed that 84% of consumers found the B-Biome Score certificate innovative; 79% of those surveyed would be willing to buy a beauty product carrying it.
Romain Reynaud, R&D Director: " At Givaudan, we leverage our knowledge and innovations in the skin microbiome to develop new ingredients. Developed by experts at our Microbiomics Center of Excellence in Toulouse, France, B-Biome Score offers a scientifically proven evaluation method in an open format, enabling beauty brands to quickly understand the impact of active ingredients on the skin microbiome."
B-Biome Score relies on advanced dermatological expertise to determine the final score for a given active ingredient based on three scientific criteria:
- Short-term impact after application to the skin.
- Cumulative impact after several days on the skin.
- Resilience of microbial viability after cessation of application.
As proof of our commitment to offering the best microbiome-friendly ingredients on the cosmetics market, the B-Biome Score will gradually be adopted in our portfolio of active ingredients.
Seppic launches Sepilife G305, a highly natural hybrid polymer
World leader in rheology modifiers for cosmetics, Seppic continues to innovate in the creation of eco-designed products that are ever more respectful of the planet with the launch of Sepilife G305, a more natural version of its iconic polymer, Sepigel 305.
Over 30 years ago, Sepigel 305 revolutionized the cosmetics market, offering formulators for the first time the possibility of thickening and stabilizing even the most complex finished products in record time, with unrivalled textural sensoriality.
Inspired by this strong expertise, Sepilife G305 retains a polymeric structure identical to that of Sepigel 305. It offers very similar performance and sensoriality to its original version, but differs in its composition by using ingredients of 100% natural origin (oil and inverter), achieving a naturalness of 62.5% (according to ISO 16128).
A worthy heir to the "305 revolution", Sepilife G305 is non-ethoxylated, mineral oil-free, non-microplastic and intrinsically biodegradable. Combining science and naturalness, this new hybrid polymer meets consumer expectations and the "Conscious Beauty" trend.
Juanshu SHEN, Product Manager, said: " Sepilife G305 enables formulators to innovate sustainably without compromising on efficacy and sensoriality. The result of committed, thoughtful innovation at the heart of Seppic's vision, it completes our range of hybrid polymers. "
Régis Roussel appointed Managing Director of Superga Beauty
Superga Beauty strengthens its management team with the appointment of Régis Roussel as Managing Director of Superga Beauty.
He will occupy a strategic position, working closely with Leslie Bréau Meniger, Managing Director of Superga Beauty.
Régis Roussel, 57, a Doctor of Pharmacy and graduate of IAE, has thirty years' experience in industrial management at French and international pharmaceutical companies (MSD, Ceva and Pierre Fabre), and has been developing his career in the subcontracting sector for the last 13 years, most recently as VP Latam Operations at Fareva's four cosmetics and pharmaceuticals sites.
Backed by his experience, his approach and his solid background, Régis Roussel will be in charge of operations within the Superga Beauty group, which currently has six industrial sites.
" I am delighted to welcome Régis Roussel to Superga Beauty, whose arrival will consolidate the structure of our company's Beauty division. I have no doubt that his commercial skills, his personality and his strategic vision of our industry will enable us, along with the rest of the Group, to accelerate our growth and drive new development objectives. " says Leslie Bréau Meniger.
PhytAura by Crodarom restores the skin balance
Modern lifestyles, the many upheavals caused by climate change and recent health events, as well as the use of inappropriate cosmetic products, are causing increasing concern for skin conditions, including sensitive skin. The latter compromises the vital function of the dermal barrier. The skin's homeostasis is unbalanced, and the body no longer plays its role as a protective shield against external aggressions, which leads to more irritation and discomfort.
Chinese consumers have difficulty finding beauty products that reduce skin discomfort and meet their specific expectations: scientifically tested, natural, dedicated to Asian skin and based on traditional Chinese medicine.
This belief relies on the vital energy of the body to connect all organs and maintain a person's spiritual, emotional and physical health. An unbalanced body will lead to skin problems. To treat sensitive skin, Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms with herbal remedies that combine several herbs.
PhytAura is the ideal active ingredient to naturally restore the balance of the skin barrier, and the perfect example of ancestral wisdom enhanced by modern science: this remedy with 4 herbs in synergy is based on the prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine found in ancient texts and manufactured according to an optimized process.
Composition and characteristics
PhytAura is a mixture of 4 plants extracted from Jujube fruit, Skullcap root, White Peony root and Liquonce root, in glycerine and water. The 4 plants are native to China. An extract of natural origin at 99.4% according to IS016128, quantified in sugars and Baicalin.
Active molecules / Associated properties :
Sugars: Moisturizing, soothing
Polyphenols: Soothing, antioxidant
Organic acids: Antibacterial, astringent
Minerals : Remineralizing, regenerating
PhytAura is a high performance active ingredient with proven efficacy: soothes the skin by reducing redness and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, maintains skin hydration by decreasing water loss and increasing the release of HA, protects the skin against oxidative stress caused by ROS, strengthens the skin through its role in the production of essential compounds, and by reducing MMP1 expression and glycation.
BGene becomes a company with a mission to serve the cosmetics industry virtuously
Since its creation in 2014, BGene has been developing new processes for the production of aromatic molecules for the cosmetics industry, which is now in search of naturalness.
This innovative company has chosen to work with wood residues to produce biosourced ingredients and offer a real alternative to intensive cultivation and petrochemical products that are harmful to the planet and to humans.
BGene has received several awards and grants for its positioning and research in biotechnology, and has always placed environmental and societal impact at the heart of its thinking. Today, it is quite natural for the company to become a company with a mission to prepare for its increasingly virtuous transition to scale.
BGene 9 years of R&D for a virtuous cosmetic production
Since its creation, even before the Pact law came into force, BGene has put its environmental convictions at the heart of its R&D project. The biotech start-up is developing new methods for producing ingredients for flavor and fragrance manufacturers, offering an alternative to intensive agriculture, monoculture, the use of pesticides and the excesses of plant extraction.
" We want to offer cosmetic actors a new possibility of sourcing ingredients, namely molecules of natural origin produced in laboratories from renewable raw materials as an alternative to plant ingredients with a high environmental impact or those derived from petrochemicals."explains Marie-Gabrielle Jouan, CEO of BGene.
BGene specializes in synthetic biology and works with natural, renewable raw materials that are not in competition with food. While most scientific alternatives are currently based on refined sugar, BGene works with residues from wood processing, a position that is almost unique in France. This makes BGene part of a true circular economy, from plant residues to cosmetic ingredients.
" What synthetic biology allows is to teach micro-organisms how to make an ingredient from a natural raw material in order to produce it and supply the cosmetics industry all year round in sufficient quantities, while respecting the environment, insists Marie-Gabrielle Jouan, CEO of BGene
BGene has therefore developed an innovative technology for production by bacterial fermentation, Today, the big names in the cosmetics industry have noticed that product composition and naturalness have become powerful purchasing levers for their consumers.
BGene prepares to scale up and become a mission company
BGene is a biotechnology company that has set itself goals of excellence since its inception. To further its virtuous approach, BGene now publicly states its raison d'être: to serve the ecological transition by developing tomorrow's more sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods for bio-based molecules.
Composed of 28 complementary scientific profiles in bioinformatics, genetic engineering, bioprocess industrialization and innovative project management, this team has a pool of skills capable of designing high value-added aromatic molecules that meet the challenges of today's bioeconomy and energy transition.
BGene has therefore defined three main statutory objectives: to limit the impact of its activity on resources, to guarantee a more environmentally friendly process and to transmit and share BGene's scientific knowledge.
By becoming a company with a mission, BGene is committed to the transparency and traceability of its innovations to serve the ecological transition.
While BGene already works for the big names in cosmetics to offer its know-how in the form of R&D partnerships, the start-up wants to produce its first batches of ingredients this year.
Within the next 3 years, BGene aims to increase its workforce once again in order to establish its transition to scale and aim for industrialization.
