" Green Bioplastics Project " wins 1st prize in the Maud Fontenoy Foundation
12 June 2024
Castres, June 13, 2024 - Pierre Fabre Laboratories are pleased to announce that their doctoral student Mariette Gibier has won 1st place in the Climate & Biodiversity trophies organized by the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, in partnership with the Forvia Foundation, in the Ocean & Innovation category for her Green Bioplastics project. An innovation co-developed by the R&D and PACKAGING teams of Pierre Fabre Laboratories, who support the work carried out by Mariette Gibier in collaboration with the biofoundry of the Sorbonne University Alliance.
The Green Bioplastics project represents a major step in the design of eco-friendly packaging solutions, thanks to biomimicry. It involves using microalgae capable of capturing CO2 and transforming it into bioplastic. This bioplastic will be used to manufacture the future packaging of dermo-cosmetic products, which will be sourced from renewable resources and biodegradable. This groundbreaking innovation is among the projects that will enable Pierre Fabre Laboratories to meet its environmental commitments under the Paris Agreement trajectory and contribute to the fight against plastic pollution.
Biomimicry allows us to draw inspiration from the strategies of living organisms to innovate effectively and sustainably. Living organisms produce polymers that can be used to manufacture packaging. In this project, we are using this expertise to produce bioplastic from microalgae and carbon released by human and industrial activities. Thus, we offer a solution for efficient, bio-based, and biodegradable packaging.
This award is both recognition and motivation to continue on our demanding environmental trajectory. We are at the beginning of this very promising Green Bioplastics project, and we are convinced that the use of materials derived from living organisms, produced by microorganisms, is a promising avenue due to its low carbon footprint and biodegradability. This project illustrates our commitment to rethink packaging for a more sustainable future.
Eco-design and biodegradability are among the priority topics for Pierre Fabre Laboratories, which aim to have over 70% of dermo-cosmetic products rated A or B on the Green Impact Index1. To achieve this, the R&D and packaging teams explore all possible solutions, innovate, and redesign packaging to use environmentally friendly packaging:
- Dermo-cosmetics products marketed as refills, which currently represent between 15% and 40% of sales depending on the purchased references:
o Hyaluron Activ B3 Renewal Firming cream EAU THERMALE AVENE
o Emollient anti-itching cleansing oil Exomega Control A-DERMA
o Gentle micellar shampoo Naturia RENE FURTERER
- Provision of rechargeable dermo-cosmetic products in pharmacies with the Pharma Recharge Consortium: A-DERMA, DUCRAY, ELUDAY, and KLORANE offer their iconic products in an eco-friendly bottle that can be refilled at the pharmacy.
- Participation in a pilot project to implement a deposit system for cosmetic products, along with 10 other actors in this sector, supported by the Circul'R consultancy.
- Research on new materials, including participation in the Pulp in Action Consortium, which is working on a cellulose fiber-based packaging solution deployable on an industrial scale and meeting the requirements of cosmetic products in terms of quality of use, barrier properties, and preservation of formulas (restitution rate, water resistance, formula stability, etc.).
- Finally, all the company's commitments are measured by the Green Impact Index1, which assesses the environmental and societal impacts of dermo-cosmetic products: packaging accounts for 35% of the environmental score.
This Green Bioplastics project by Pierre Fabre Laboratories was presented at the Biomim'Expo 2024 exhibition, among 5 other innovations inspired by nature and living organisms. A unique event on biomimicry and bio-inspired innovations under the high patronage of President Emmanuel MACRON.
About the Maud Fontenoy Foundation
Since 2008, the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, recognized as a public interest organization, has been committed in France and internationally to preserving our oceans. It carries out education activities for young people and the general public with the support of scientific partners and the Ministry of National Education, for which it is responsible for Education at Sea and the revival of Sea Classes.
About Pierre Fabre Laboratories
Pierre Fabre Laboratories is the world's second-largest dermo-cosmetics company and one of Europe's leading pharmaceutical companies. Its portfolio includes several international brands and medical franchises such as Pierre Fabre Oncologie, Pierre Fabre Dermatologie, Pierre Fabre Pharma Care, Eau Thermale Avène, Ducray, A-Derma, Klorane, René Furterer, Darrow, Même Cosmetics, Naturactive, Elgydium, Inava and Arthrodont..
In 2023, Pierre Fabre Laboratories posted 2.83 billion euros in revenue, 70% of which came from international sales in 120 countries. Historically based in the southwest of France and manufacturing 95% of its products in France, Pierre Fabre Laboratories employs over 10,000 people worldwide. Its annual R&D budget amounts to nearly 200 million euros, of which about 50% is dedicated to targeted therapies in oncology and 40% to skin health and care solutions.
Pierre Fabre Laboratories' majority shareholder (86%) is the eponymous Foundation, which is recognized by the French government as being a public-interest foundation. This capital structure guarantees the company's independence and long-term vision. Dividends paid to the
Pierre Fabre Foundation enable the latter to design and finance humanitarian healthcare-access programs in developing countries. Employees are the company's secondary shareholder, through an international employee shareholding plan.
Pierre Fabre Laboratories’ sustainability policy has been assessed by the independent AFNOR Certification body and has been awarded the "Exemplary" level of its CSR label (ISO 26 000 standard for sustainable development).
For more information, visit www.pierre-fabre.com, @PierreFabreGroup.
About Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is a world-class, multidisciplinary, research-intensive university covering the humanities, health, science and engineering. Anchored in the heart of Paris and with a regional presence, Sorbonne University has 55,000 students, 7,300 teaching and research staff, and more than a hundred laboratories. Alongside its partners in the Sorbonne University Alliance, and via its institutes and multidisciplinary initiatives, it conducts and programs research and training activities to strengthen its collective contribution to the challenges of three major transitions: a global approach to health (One Health), resources for a sustainable planet (One Earth), and changing societies, languages and cultures (One Humanity). Sorbonne University is also a member of Alliance 4EU+, an innovative model for European universities that develops strategic international partnerships and promotes the openness of its community to the rest of the world. https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr
Contact presse
Pierre Fabre
Dorothée Kohler
dorothee.kohler@pierre-fabre.com
+33 6 08 09 22 41
Sorbonne Université
Manon Durocher
dorothee.kohler@pierre-fabre.com
+33 1 44 27 92 49
Reference:
1 - The Green Impact Index is a tool for displaying the environmental and societal impact of cosmetic products, dietary supplements, as well as well-being and family health products, based on the methodology described in AFNOR Spec 2215. Developed in collaboration by 21 companies, associations, and federations, it evaluates products based on more than 50 criteria for increased transparency.