Seppic, a leading beauty ingredient company and a subsidiary of Air Liquide Healthcare, has announced plans to open a new fermentation biotechnology research lab at Air Liquide Group’s Innovation Campus in Delaware, USA. The lab will focus on the development of eco-friendly, bio-based ingredients for cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, veterinary, and industrial products.
The new fermentation lab is designed to create innovative, sustainable ingredients using bio-based processes. According to Seppic’s research and innovation director, Franco Manfré, the lab will explore how fermentation biotechnologies can produce raw materials and ingredients that are difficult to generate through traditional chemical processes. These ingredients will be used as base materials or intermediates in bio-based chemistry, opening up possibilities for new, environmentally friendly products in the beauty and health sectors.
“Seppic to Launch US Fermentation Lab for Sustainable Beauty Ingredients” reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The lab will collaborate closely with Air Liquide’s R&D facilities and be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support its research. The goal is to address the growing demand for ingredients that are not only effective but also environmentally conscious, helping meet the increasing societal push for green beauty solutions.
The lab’s location in Delaware is strategic, as it is positioned to work in tandem with Air Liquide’s extensive research facilities. The company is aiming to produce large-scale bio-based ingredients that control land use while ensuring non-food substrates are targeted, according to Manfré. With nearly 15% of Seppic’s workforce dedicated to research, the lab is expected to play a key role in advancing the production of sustainable beauty ingredients.
Seppic’s plans include using the new lab to create bio-based ingredients specifically for beauty products. While the company currently does not offer fermented ingredients for personal care, it is working on developing these capabilities at the new facility. “Seppic to Launch US Fermentation Lab for Sustainable Beauty Ingredients” will enable the company to innovate in ways that help shape the future of green beauty. The exact size of the facility is still undisclosed, but Seppic is actively progressing in its research and development efforts.
In addition to Seppic’s investment in the US lab, the company also recently opened new research facilities at its Castres site in France in 2024. According to Hannes Moeller, CEO of Seppic, this investment highlights the company’s long-term commitment to innovation and sustainability in its ingredient offerings, further enhancing its ability to meet market needs.
The growing interest in bio-based ingredients in personal care is part of a broader trend in the industry as consumers demand more sustainable and environmentally friendly products. For example, BASF has partnered with Acies Bio, a Slovenian biotech firm, to develop fermentation technology for producing fatty alcohols, which are essential components in many personal care products. Similarly, Sasol Chemicals has launched a biobased emulsion stabilizer made from rapeseed oil, offering a more sustainable alternative to palm oil-based ingredients.
With an increasing focus on bio-based personal care, Seppic’s new lab marks a significant step toward creating the next generation of sustainable beauty ingredients, paving the way for a more eco-conscious future in the beauty industry.
