High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RESEARCH INTO PROCESSES TO CREATE AND VALIDATE NATURAL ASSETS FOR THE COSMETICS SECTOR
BIOACTIVE 2025
Motivation
In recent years, the cosmetics industry has undergone a transformation towards sustainability driven by growing consumer demand for ecological and environmentally responsible products. Upcycling is now a key strategy for the revaluation of waste, particularly in the food industry, to develop more efficient natural cosmetics ingredients.
This project grew out of the need for improved efficiency and sustainability in the extraction of cosmetic assets, optimized process times and reduced waste. The project also includes the search for cosmetic formulas designed to address common cosmetic problems while broadening knowledge in emerging sectors of high demand. The overall aim is to drive innovation in sustainable cosmetics and provide environmentally friendly solutions.
Objectives
The overall objective of BIOACTIVE 2025 is the development of extraction processes for innovative assets using super-critical fluids and fermentation, in the research of nutricosmetics and the development of new hair cosmetic formulas for hair with pigmentation loss and in the validation of cosmetic formulas by analyzing the impact on the skin using high-resolution 3D scanning.
Value and competitive advantage
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Enables the generation of high‑value, sustainable cosmetic actives from agri‑food by‑products, promoting the circular economy.
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Reduces development risk through reproducible protocols and objective efficacy validation using high‑resolution 3D scanning.
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Enhances business competitiveness by providing formulation development, scale‑up capabilities, and regulatory support for cosmetic ingredients and nutricosmetics.
Obtained results
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Development and validation of multifunctional natural actives through supercritical fluid extraction and fermentation processes.
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Optimization and standardization of the supercritical extraction process, including the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure reproducibility and reliability.
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Production of a cosmetic extract from tomato by‑products with a high content of carotenoids (lutein and lycopene) and vitamin C.
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Optimization of the procedure for isolating endophytic microorganisms and consolidation of analytical methodologies (Folin assay, optical density, lactic acid determination).
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Development of four cosmetic formulations of interest, stable and with good dermal tolerance (shampoo bases, anti‑grey hair tonic, facial gel).
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Scale‑up to pilot plant of an anti‑grey hair tonic (25 kg batch), demonstrating scalability without significant issues.
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Design and validation of in vivo protocols using AEVA‑HE 3D scanning: pore evaluation and anti‑wrinkle study in the eye contour area over 3 months.
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Definition of a regulatory protocol for nutricosmetics and claim validation, differentiating the applicable regulatory frameworks.
Grant number: PENDING
Programme: Plan of non-economic activities 2025
Period of execution: January 2025 – December 2025
Status: Finished
More information: PLAN OF ACTION
Entity: IVACE
Project supported by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE.
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R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RELATED PROJECTS
NEWS
AITEX is present at the Babykid FIMI fair at Feria Valencia from January 26 to 28, presenting tests and certifications for children’s products.
AITEX has attended the Cosmetorium fair in Barcelona once again on October to present its new products for the cosmetic sector.
AITEX has hosted the LIFE POLITEX workshop entitled “Closing the textile polyester cycle: challenges and opportunities”, based on promoting sustainable solutions for the management and recycling of textile materials.