Gattefossé embeds water stewardship in personal care ingredient manufacturing

Gattefossé is addressing the global water crisis through Poseidon, a cross-functional program that integrates responsible water management across its industrial operations in France.

Sustainability has become a defining priority for the personal care industry, and ingredient suppliers are being challenged to move beyond commitments and deliver measurable environmental results. Water, in particular, has emerged as a critical focus area, given its central role in cosmetic ingredient manufacturing and the growing pressure on global water resources. 

Rather than treating water efficiency as a series of isolated actions, Poseidon embeds water considerations throughout the entire product life cycle. From product design to manufacturing and cleaning operations, the initiative embeds water stewardship across the production process. The approach aligns with the rising sustainability expectations of personal care companies.

Water is a strategic resource in the production of cosmetic ingredients, primarily used for equipment cleaning and manufacturing processes. Gattefossé’s Poseidon program combines optimized production and cleaning cycles, improved reuse of water and energy already mobilized in operations, and the integration of eco-design principles upstream. This ensures that water impacts are anticipated rather than corrected downstream.

“Poseidon has reshaped operating procedures while improving the reliability of our installations. The project demonstrates that reducing water use can go hand in hand with industrial performance, through responsible innovation that reflects Gattefossé’s purpose: We stand for caring science,” says Elisa Ropagnol, group director of Industrial Operations at Gattefossé.

Water management 

Teams from Gattefossé’s R&D, HSE, Quality, Production, and Industrial Maintenance are driving long-term changes in operational practices. Training for operators, the reassessment of existing standards, and the testing of new cleaning methods have helped anchor water stewardship into day-to-day activities. 

The company’s internal engagement mirrors a broader shift in the personal care sector, where sustainability is increasingly viewed as a shared responsibility across the value chain.

The program has delivered results at Gattefossé’s headquarters workshops in France. Over two years, water consumption per ton produced has fallen by 14%. In 2024, optimized production campaigns saved 800,000 liters of water, while improved cooling system shutdowns added another 400,000 liters. Energy performance has also improved, with gas consumption reduced by 32% through heat recovery. 

Looking ahead, the deployment of Cleaning-In-Place systems is expected to deliver water savings of between 60% and 80% for industrial cleaning operations.

A new phase of investment is supporting these efficiency gains. BetweWater-smart operations can strengthen industrial resilience in the personal care industry. en 2026 and 2027, Gattefossé plans to invest €2.2 million (US$2.58 million) to scale up Poseidon, further reducing its water footprint and reinforcing the resilience of its industrial sites. 

For personal care brands navigating climate risks, supply security, and tightening environmental regulations, partnerships with resource-efficient ingredient suppliers are becoming increasingly strategic.

Poseidon has also received external recognition in France, earning an Environmental Award under the Responsible Care program led by the French chemical industry. The award highlights the initiative’s methodology, measurable outcomes, and contribution to more sustainable industrial practices.

In the personal care industry, Poseidon illustrates how responsible science can lead to environmentally sustainable outcomes. By embedding water stewardship into ingredient manufacturing, Gattefossé is demonstrating that sustainability and performance can progress together.

Waterless beauty

Beauty companies are increasingly looking to decrease water usage in their manufacturing processes. The moves are propelled by consumers’ scrutiny of unsustainable practices and heightened awareness of water scarcity. 

“Poseidon reflects Gattefossé’s commitment to protecting water resources, a key environmental and societal responsibility for industrial players. This program is fully aligned with our corporate social responsibility (CSR) roadmap, Gatt’Up&Act, and addresses one of our priority environmental challenges,” says Laurent Schubnel, group CSR leader at Gattefossé.

According to Olive Tree People, the beauty industry consumes eight trillion liters of water annually. Meanwhile, UNICEF reports that 2.3 billion people worldwide lack access to basic, clean drinking water.  

In response, Olive Tree People recently replaced the water in its skin care products with an elixir from Spanish olive trees to offer a more nutrient-dense alternative, conserve water, and increase access to water in the world’s scarcest areas.  

Water access also permeates into the intimate care category. Limited clean water access creates profound barriers to safe, dignified menstrual management and undermines basic hygiene. 

Personal Care Insights reported on how the industry can help fight the stigma and health hazards associated with water access and menstruation management, with non-profit organizations UNICEF, Freedom4Girls, Be Girl, and Period.