Evonik and Demetrix partner to increase cannabinoid presence in personal care market

05 Apr 2022 --- A multi-year supply agreement has been reached between specialty chemicals company Evonik and biotech player Demetrix to expand the role of cannabinoid bioactives in beauty and personal care products. The partnership’s first product – cannabigerol (CBG) – is set to enter global markets in 2022.

Germany-based Evonik, which supplies products and ingredients to beauty and personal care markets across the world, hopes the team up will help bring a growing range of cannabinoid products to these areas.

Director of strategy for cosmetic actives ingredients at Evonik, Frank Michoux, says of the partnership: "We are eager to work with Demetrix and bring more of the over 100 cannabinoids to market."

What can’t cannabinoids do?
US-based Demetrix, which provides rare, natural, science-backed bioactive ingredients, is currently narrowing its focus on cannabis-derived chemicals suited to the beauty and personal care industry. 

"This partnership speaks to the growing demand for high-purity cannabinoids because of the benefits they can provide for consumers,” says Cynthia Bryant, chief brand officer of Demetrix.The presence of cannabis-derivatives in personal care and beauty products is only set to grow.

“Consumers and companies alike are noticing the benefits of cannabinoids for beauty and skin care, among other applications.”

Earlier this year, US-based skin care company Aforé published research finding heightened anti-aging effects when combining cannabidiol (CBD) with retinol. However, consumers should still beware of faulty claims on CBD products, whether in skin care products or dietary supplements.

Riding high on the cannabis boom
In recent years, cannabinoid ingredients have begun to feature more prominently in beauty and skin care and nutrition, as Innova Market Insights highlighted in previous analysis. 

This has to do with the dispelling of myths over the effect of cannabinoids, which can provide a calming and soothing effect to the user.

The main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is generally always excluded from skin care and beauty products containing cannabinoids like CBD and CBG, meaning consumers may use these products without risk of getting the “high” associated with more stereotypical cannabis formats.

This knowledge has fueled growth in this sector, with more and more companies jumping on the hemp and cannabis boom.

In August of last year, cannabis-friendly cosmetics company, High Beauty, landed US$4.17 million in funding to expand its global distribution capabilities.

Later that year, the scent experts at Firmenich teamed up with Wellfounded Scent Beauty to create a CBD fragrance making “functional” and “soothing” claims, merging the world of perfumery with the market for mental wellness.

Meanwhile, Koru Pharmaceuticals launched a line of skin care products containing “green hemp” oil derived from Dutch and South Korean strains.

Edited by Olivia Nelson