In London, consumer goods giant Unilever has announced an “entrepreneurial challenge” aimed at identifying startups, scaleups and academic spinouts with promising functional ingredients for its Beauty & Personal Care products and packaging.
The program is part of Unilever’s Positive Beauty Growth Platform, which launched last year with an inaugural challenge targeting social commerce. This iteration of the challenge aims to find the next generation of biodegradable and sustainable ingredients and packaging. The company is looking for materials that deliver “incredible benefits” while supporting Unilever’s vision for protecting and regenerating nature.
“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 Unilever’s Chief Research and Development Officer Richard Slater. “Collaborating with disruptive new players in this space is going to lead to even more breakthroughs as we grow our business and portfolio for a future where people and planet can thrive together.”
Chosen firms will have the opportunity to present their biodegradable and sustainable cosmetic ingredients or packaging solutions to the Unilever Beauty & Personal Care leadership and expert practitioners. The leading ideas will be given the chance to explore partnership opportunities within Unilever’s Beauty & Personal Care business, worth over €20 billion, and home to brands like Dove, Axe, Rexona, TRESemmé, and Vaseline.