ITENE consortium to develop bio packaging with antioxidant properties for organic creams

The venture has been coordinated by the Packaging, Transport and Logistics Research Center (ITENE) and is called the BioBeauty project, with the main aim to develop a bio packaging solution for organic skin creams through a combination of nanotechnology and active packaging.

“A critical success factor for natural cosmetics is product positioning, especially as these products come into direct competition with conventional brands in supermarkets, department stores and pharmacies,”​ states the BioBeauty project.

“Market winners will be those companies that can successfully differentiate their products from competing ones. The need for complete product differentiation for organic cosmetic lines requires a bio package that offers the same environmental credentials as the product that it contains.”​

Opportunity​

The aim is for the packaging to delay the product oxidative degradation and, therefore, it is presented as a good business opportunity for both cosmetic SMEs manufacturers and biopolymers and packaging manufacturers.

“No commercial solution exists that meet both biodegradable and antioxidant cosmetic product requirements. This brings a big opportunity for SMEs both cosmetics manufacturers and polymer and packaging manufacturers to receive a commercial and economic return on their investment,”​ it continues.

The project will be based on an environmentally friendly biomaterial such as a PLA bio nanocomposite and a natural active agent with antioxidant properties to delay the degradation of cosmetic cream.

The only way organic creams can expect to compete with the others in the market and maintain their position is if the quality is the same and the shelf life is too. The active packaging can be the way to achieve these requirements.

Environmental concerns​

The project also aims to rise to the challenge of developing alternatives to petroleum-based materials given the growing trend towards greener formulations and sustainable credentials, as well as environmental concerns such as plastic waste disposal and depletion of non-renewable resources.

Moreover, the limitations that bioplastics present in their performance provide a well-defined need for a technological solution.

The BioBeauty consortium consists of eight partners from five different countries, Spain, Scotland, Slovenia, Netherlands and France. The partners are ITENE, Heriot Watt University, Miniland, Alissi Brontë, Alan Coar, Vitiva, Martin Snidjer Holding BV, ETS Bugnon.