Personalized face masks: BASF partners with Natural Machines on 3D printed bio-based NPD

16 Sep 2021 --- BASF and Natural Machines are partnering to develop technology that will create customized face masks and eye patches produced by 3D printers. The bio-based, biodegradable customized NPD will offer perks such as custom-fit size and different effect zones within one mask.

“With this partnership we are expanding our personalized cosmetic technologies, and we look forward to working with Natural Machines in this promising area. We can build on their experience on 3D printing to bring this know-how into the personal care market”, says Robert Parker, director, new business development at Care Chemicals, BASF.

Personalized care
The customization of personal care products is a fast-rising global trend and to meet this growing need, a combination of product expertise and technical understanding is key, according to BASF.

The bio-based, biodegradable customized NPD will offer perks such as custom-fit size and different effect zones within one mask. Natural Machines is a solution provider for kitchen and personal care equipment that will provide a special 3D printer and its 3D printing knowledge. BASF on the other hand will supply the personal care ingredients.

With this new solution users can obtain masks that are not only adaptable to individual face sizes, but also allow the incorporation of different benefits in various zones within the mask.

“Our initial tests proved the potential to print face masks and patches based on BASF ingredients,” says Christina Kohlmann, senior manager for Open Innovation Personal Care at Care Chemicals, BASF.

“We continue to focus on adapting the technology, to establish a new approach for personalized face masks for our customers based on bio-based and biodegradable solutions.”

A holistic solution
BASF plans to exclusively commercialize the technology as a holistic solution to the global personal care industry, consisting of a machine, cartridges and ingredient mixtures.

“Our partnership with BASF will help us to grow our portfolio from the food sector to include the cosmetics industry,” says Emilio Sepulveda, CEO of Natural Machines.

“We will benefit from BASF’s experience and latest developments in cosmetic ingredients, while leveraging the broad expertise we have built during the last eight years in 3D food printing. At the same time, BASF’s position in the personal care market gives us an opportunity to commercialize the technology and the device in this space.”

BASF and Natural Machines aim to introduce the technology to the market in 2022 globally.BASF and Natural Machines aim to introduce the technology to the market in 2022 globally.

Prolific BASF
The company has had a very active year as it recently unveiled Seanactiv, an ingredient based on organic-certified marine algae fucus vesiculosus which improves signs of aging and fatigue around the eye contour.

The ingredient helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles, crow’s feet wrinkles and under-eye dullness within just one week of application, the company supports.

Moreover, BASF’s Care Creations recently inaugurated a personal care evaluation salon in Lagos, Nigeria, which will allow in vivo sensory and performance testing of skin and hair formulations on local volunteers.

The move will help BASF’s customers create NPD tailored to the specific skin and hair needs of consumers in the blossoming sub-Saharan African market.

“The global beauty and care market is dynamic as a whole, but this is especially true of Africa, where the demand for personal care products is increasing rapidly,” Osarenren Igbinoba, business management, Personal Care Sub-Saharan Africa at BASF, told PersonalCareInsights.

However, Holland & Barrett announced that it is banning single-use beauty sheet masks across UK stores and online to reduce single-use waste. The company seeks to encourage customers to switch to more sustainable alternatives.

By Kristiana Lalou

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