L’Oréal Invests in Geno-led Venture for Biotech Ingredients

L’Oréal has become the third global company and final founding investor in Geno-led venture to develop, produce and commercialize biotechnology-based alternatives to critical ingredients in cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products.

The beauty giant joins additional founding members Unilever and Kao Corporation.

Unilever's participation came in June 2022. Kao joined in September 2022.

Geno will deploy its proven biotechnology platform, using proprietary engineered microorganisms to ferment plant sugars that produce ingredients to make sustainable surfactants. These new ingredients will be used in a range of L'Oréal's products, marking an essential step towards L’Oréal’s goals of 100% eco-designed formulas that respect the diversity of aquatic ecosystems and 95% of ingredients from renewable plant-based sources or abundant minerals by 2030.

“Welcoming L’Oréal to this incredible team of global brand heavyweights signifies just how important and urgent the need is for traceable, resilient and sustainable materials, at scale. L’Oréal’s commitment further validates Geno’s ability to deliver at scale and accelerates our journey toward reducing global carbon emissions by over 100 million tons in the upcoming years by targeting large-scale material markets,” said Christophe Schilling, chief executive officer for Geno. “We’re energized to help L’Oréal achieve its bold 2030 goals of incorporating 95% bio-based ingredients for formulas and using packaging materials that are traceable and from sustainable sources. This partnership will further catapult our venture’s mission to the global scale required to meet strong market demand for sustainable products.”
 
“At L'Oréal, we believe that science has the power to create a better world, and we are committed to using our expertise to drive positive change in the beauty industry That's why we have made green sciences, our new scientific and sustainable revolution, the cornerstone of our research,” said Barbara Lavernos, deputy CEO in charge of research, innovation and technology for L’Oréal “We are thrilled to partner with Geno, whose unique approach to developing alternative biotechnology-based ingredients perfectly aligns with our vision of a more sustainable future. By working together with other beauty players, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources wherever our collective efforts can have a meaningful purpose.”

According to Sanford Browne, president of research and innovation for North America for L'Oréal, the move aligns with L’Oréal’s objective of delivering responsible and innovative beauty solutions to consumers and strengthens its “innovation ecosystem” in North America.

“It's a clear signal of our willingness to collaborate with partners who share our commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact to create beauty that transforms the world,” said Browne.