InnCoCells has welcomed a new partner into the consortium. Ghent University (UGENT), Belgium, provides unique expertise in the large-scale extraction and analysis of cosmetic ingredients from plant biomass and will play a key role in the downstream processing of plant-based raw materials.
“The VEG-i-TEC research unit is excited to join InnCoCells, which will allow us to explore the potential of our diverse and sustainable extracts in cosmetic applications for the first time. This venture promises to significantly enhance our understanding of the bioactive compounds involved,” explains Dr Katleen Raes, principal research scientist at UGENT.
The project’s Stakeholder Group (SHG) is also growing. The SHG comprises 19 representatives of the cosmetic industry, agricultural sector, academia and end-user groups whose role is to advise the project partners, helping to increase the impact and take-up of the results. The SHG ensures that the project’s SME partners select the most promising ingredients for further development. The most recent additions to the SHG are Plinius Labs (Belgium), representing industries handling co/by-products, and Eger Group AS (Norway), representing end-users. Several members of the SHG, such as Chanel, La Prairie and Clariant, are working with our SME partners to develop specific InnCoCells ingredient candidates, focusing on sustainability and new types of compounds or effects.
“Ingredients for healthy ageing are of high interest to consumers, especially ingredients that are produced with little environmental impact,” says R&D Manager Outi Tarakkamäki from Berner Ltd, Finland.
The InnCoCells project also welcomes the appointment of Prof. Frédéric Bourgaud, University of Lorraine, France, as the third member of its Scientific Advisory Board, which provides a general steering role. He joins Dr Danièle Werck-Reichhart (CNRS, Strasbourg, France) and Prof. Antonio Granell Richart (UPV, València, Spain) and will provide a unique combination of strong academic and industry experience to guide the scientific and technical aspects of the project.
“I am delighted to join the InnCoCells project as a scientific advisor,” states Prof Bourgaud. “As the first European project entirely dedicated to research and innovation in the cosmetics sector, I found the idea of bringing together top university laboratories, small biotechnology companies and large stakeholders brilliant. This will undoubtedly help accelerate innovation in this crucial sector for the European industry.”
The InnCoCells project is funded by the European Commission with a budget of €7.9 million and is coordinated by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. There are 17 partners representing nine EU member states as well as the UK and Norway.