95% of L’Oréal ingredients to be driven from renewable sources by 2030

05 / 03 / 2021

By Marwa Nassar - -

L’Oréal decided that 95% of its ingredients will be derived from renewable plant sources, abundant minerals, or circular processes by 2030. Moreover, 100% of its formulas will be respectful of the aquatic environment.

This move comes at a time when protecting the planet is an absolute necessity, and the Covid-19 pandemic is driving a heightened demand for products that are both good for health and safe for the environment. It is against this backdrop that L’Oréal is opening a new chapter in R&I by making nature a driving force in creating renewable alternatives to petroleum-based ingredients.

The company will draw on recent advances in Green Sciences to enable the sustainable cultivation of ingredients and extract the best that nature has to offer through cutting-edge technological processes. Already by 2020, 80% of the Group’s raw materials are easily biodegradable, 59% are renewable, 34% are natural or of natural origin. 29% of the ingredients used in L’Oréal formulas were developed according to the principles of Green Chemistry.

According to Nicolas Hieronimus, L’Oréal Deputy Chief Executive Officer, in charge of Divisions: “With Green Sciences we are entering a new chapter for L’Oréal Research & Innovation, which has been a key driving force behind the company since its creation. Our ambition is that by 2030 we will be able to offer women and men around the world increasingly effective, safe cosmetics that respect the environment.”

To achieve this transition, L’Oréal has rallied its full range of resources in Green Sciences, including recent advances in agronomics, together with new developments in biotechnology, Green Chemistry, formulation science and modelling tools. The Group is also building a range of strategic partnerships with universities, start-ups, and its own raw material suppliers.

Barbara Lavernos, Chief Research, Innovation and Technology Officer, said“Thanks to Green Sciences we are able to take up this ambitious scientific and technical challenge. This virtuous, circular economy-based approach will allow us to achieve new levels of performance and discover unprecedented cosmetic benefits without compromising on quality or safety, in the service of beauty that is respectful of the planet.”