Denmark: Cellugy ApS has launched EcoFLEXY, its biofabricated cellulose ingredient, in a new Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream. The collaboration with Bioli ApS aims to replace petrochemical ingredients, responding to the cosmetic industry’s demand for sustainable, high-performing alternatives while maintaining low environmental impact.
In Denmark, biotechnology startup Cellugy ApS has marked a significant milestone with the commercial launch of its newly developed biofabricated cellulose-based ingredient, EcoFLEXY. This innovative ingredient is debuting in the Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream, a premium biobased sustainable skincare product developed in partnership with another Danish biotech skincare company, Bioli ApS. This collaboration aims to address the growing demand for more sustainable solutions in the cosmetics and personal care sector by replacing conventional petrochemicals and fossil-based ingredients with high-performing biobased alternatives.
The Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream is tailored for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and boasts of being formulated with 100 percent biodegradable, fossil-free, and environmentally friendly ingredients. This product is designed to deliver both efficacy and sustainability, as well as maintaining a low environmental impact.
At the core of this skincare solution is bioactive enzyme technology that offers antioxidant protection. The product also utilises EcoFLEXY as a biobased rheology modifier, which helps achieve a desirable texture quality. EcoFLEXY stands out as a fully biodegradable option derived from high-purity, crystalline cellulose through the innovative fermentation of sugar, part of Cellugy’s proprietary fermentation platform.
Dr Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder of Cellugy, expressed excitement at the first commercial application of EcoFLEXY, stating, “It’s fantastic to see EcoFLEXY put to use as an ingredient in a commercially available product for the first time. We’re also very happy to support Bioli’s unique concept as we share a common vision for a more sustainable future in skincare.”
The broader context of this launch highlights a significant challenge within the cosmetics industry, which has heavily relied on fossil-based petrochemicals known for their effective functional properties, such as rheology modifiers—that thicken and stabilize cosmetics formulations. These petrochemical ingredients are prevalent in over 70 percent of market products, prompting increased pressure on the industry due to tightening sustainability regulations and bans on harmful ingredients like microplastics and PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
While alternative rheology modifiers like xanthan gum exist, they come with limitations, including an undesirable sticky texture and lesser efficiency. Aldo Seguel, Chief Science Officer at Bioli, elaborated on EcoFLEXY’s advantages, highlighting the product’s performance without sacrificing user experience: “A key challenge in premium skincare is finding sustainable ingredients that deliver both performance and a superior user experience. EcoFLEXY provides that essential high-quality texture and a silky-smooth feel that doesn’t grain up on the skin.”
The Moisturizing and Protecting Day Cream is the first in what is expected to be a series of products. Availability starts with Bioli’s online web store, with interest being expressed by additional retailers, including pharmacies across Denmark.
Nina Wiberg Rosenquist, CEO of Bioli, noted the synergistic nature of their partnership with Cellugy, stating, “In our mission to launch high-quality bioactive products with the lowest possible environmental impact, including biodegradability, we have been searching for the right ingredients. Cellugy aligns perfectly with this.” The two companies, co-located in the Alfa Laval Innovation House, quickly moved from research and development to market-ready products thanks to their shared vision.
Looking ahead, discussions are already underway for distribution agreements for EcoFLEXY in eleven key cosmetics markets in the EU and the United States. Cellugy is targeting full production scale-up and a commercial launch in April 2025 at the In-Cosmetics Global Exhibition in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Source: Noah Wire Services
