Yesterday, according to report, biotech firm Cellugy has secured 8.1 million euros in funding from the European Union to spearhead its mission of eradicating microplastics from personal care products, replacing them with a bio-based alternative. This financial boost supports Cellugy’s Biocare4life project under the EU’s Life program, aimed at advancing environmental and climate action initiatives.
It is reported that at the core of Cellugy’s efforts is EcoFlexy, a biofabricated material platform set to revolutionize the cosmetics industry. The platform’s flagship product, EcoFlexy Rheo, represents a breakthrough as the first high-performance rheology modifier that is entirely bio-based and biodegradable, addressing concerns over the environmental impact of microplastics and fossil-based ingredients.
In a statement, Cellugy highlighted EcoFlexy’s ability to outperform traditional carbomers, notorious for their harmful microplastic content, while ensuring superior product performance and adaptable sensorial properties. This innovation aligns with a growing demand within the beauty sector for sustainable solutions that minimize environmental pollution and hazardous chemical use.
The initiative is poised to prevent the release of up to 259 tons of microplastics annually by the project’s completion, with potential scaling to 1,289 tons per year by 2034. Such efforts are crucial amid tightening regulations globally, including the EU’s microplastic ban and restrictions on PFAS chemicals in the United States, which could collectively impact the beauty industry’s financial landscape.
Isabel Alvarez-Martos, CEO and co-founder of Cellugy, emphasized the project’s focus on surpassing traditional petrochemicals in performance metrics like texture and functionality, underscoring the necessity for bio-based alternatives that are both economically viable and operationally efficient.
