Unilever seeks partners: Open call for “biodegradable and sustainable” beauty solutions

09 Mar 2022 --- Unilever is initiating a competition for potential partnership deals for start-ups, scale-ups and academics targeting beauty and personal care products and packaging for planetary well-being via its ‘Positive Beauty Growth Platform.’ 

“This challenge is focusing on biodegradable and sustainable ingredients and packaging. We’re looking to hear from those innovating the ingredients of the future,” a spokesperson at Unilever tells PersonalCareInsights.

“Through this competition, we welcome bold new ideas that contribute to our ambitious goals to protect and regenerate nature.” 

Planet positivity means to do less harm and more good to the natural world by protecting more land, forests and oceans than what is used to grow ingredients for Unilever’s beauty and personal care products, says the company.

2022 participation and 2021 shortlist
Applicants for Unilever’s challenge will be provided with an opportunity to present their biodegradable and sustainable ingredient or packaging solutions to respective experts at Unilever beauty and personal care.

Those selected will be given opportunities to partner within Unilever’s beauty and personal care business – brands like Dove, Axe, Rexona, TRESemmé, Vaseline and Love Beauty & Planet. 

There were approximately 300 applicants in the previous year, of which 33 were shortlisted.

The Positive Beauty Growth Platform values: ending discrimination in beauty, driving gender equity and improving health and well-being of people and the planet. 

“Our first challenge at the end of 2021 was dedicated to social commerce, looking at revolutionary marketing technology solutions in areas like live streams, group selling or in-game selling,” shares the spokesperson at Unilever. 

Some candidates from last year include: “California-based Firework, UK-based Playrcart, Poland-based inSTREAMLY, Indonesia-founded Avana and Israel-founded Anzu.IO.”

Research and science-based solutions
The year-old Positive Beauty Growth Platform is used to meet Unilever’s goals to form a new generation of beauty that is “equitable and inclusive” and “Planet Positive” by accelerating its science and technology programs and partnerships. 

“We’re creating the next generation of technologies and ingredients for our beauty and personal care products that are not only highly effective but also natural and sustainable,” says Richard Slater, chief research and development officer at Unilever.

“Collaborating with disruptive new players is going to lead to more breakthroughs as we grow our business and portfolio for a future where people and the planet can thrive together.” 

The company adds its beauty and personal care products are to contribute to Unilever’s Climate and Nature Fund of approximately US$1 billion. The funds will be used for water preservation, reforestation and wildlife protection.More than one billion people use Unilever products every day, says the company. 

The emphasis on research and science-based solutions is also due to Unilever’s stance against animal testing. 

Additionally, the company aims to use recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging across every brand by 2025. 

Jumping for environmental sustainability
In other eco-positioned industry advances, Milkadamia is unveiling a macadamia-based skincare line that is palm-oil free and uses packaging made of pressed cardboard that uses stamping instead of plastic-glued labels for recyclability. 

L’Oréal’s skincare brand Biotherm recently launched Texen’s recycled plastic polypropylene caps and hot-stamping methods for its products. Texen has also created refillable cosmetic palettes and acquired PRP Creation’s flexible packaging business for pouches and doypacks.

Lastly, Sulapac equipped refillable lip balm brand Above & Beyond with wood-based packaging and supplied Chanel with bio-packaging for the N°1 de Chanel line. 

Unilever’s 2022 theme aligns with the “Shared Planet” trend, pegged by Innova Market Insights, as consumers take the environment into more vital consideration when choosing food, beverage and care products.

By Venya Patel