Clarins and Alban Muller show support for sustainable ingredients sourcing

Two of the biggest names in European natural personal care have lent their support to L’Herboretum, a French project to encourage sustainable natural ingredient development.

Clarins, a leading finished products player, and Alban Muller, a leading natural and organic ingredients supplier, have worked hard to cultivate eco-friendly images.

This objective falls in line with the growing number of consumers who, not content with just natural and organic personal care products, also want to buy products that are ethically sourced and have a low environmental footprint.

Market researcher Mintel recently identified this trend, calling it 'extreme ethical' and suggesting that is likely to be an increasing area of market growth in the future.

Both companies benefit from the association

“The two companies benefit equally from their involvement with L’Herboretum by improving their knowledge of both plant material and biodiversity,” said Karine Meunier, spokesperson for L’Heboretum.

“The project essentially puts in place the key elements for the diversified and sustainable cultivation of plants, which can then be used for ingredients in a variety of cosmetic products,” she added.

Based in Saint-Ay, in the middle of the Loire Valley, L’Herboretum project was established in 2004, primarily to encourage sustainable biodiversity.

The project comprises gardens that exemplify, encourage and develop techniques to ensure herbs, plants and other crops that can be grown while still respecting the environment and encouraging other forms of wildlife that are crucial to the ecosystem.

The project is subsidised financially by Clarins, which makes an annual contribution towards the upkeep of the of the 9 hectare site, while Alban Muller is a technical party, advising and imparting its knowledge about plant cultivation and extraction.

Spreading the ethical word

The association in turn holds regular open days and educational events, when the gardens are opened up to both the general public and scholars working in this field.

Alban Muller has carved out a name for itself as one of the leading players in the area of active ingredients formulated from plant extracts, with the aim of developing this strength in an eco responsible manner.

Its involvement with the project was seen as a natural progression in this area and has likewise enabled it to further its research work in the area of sustainable and eco-friendly ingredients sourcing.

Likewise, Clarins, which was one of the first mainstream cosmetic companies to provide total transparency for its product formulation, uses the project to further its cause as an eco-friendly and environmentally conscious business.