10 NEWS
Estonian startup secures funding to develop lipid-rich ‘green’ oils
Estonian biotechnology company ÄIO has secured €1m in funding to accelerate development of alternatives to traditional oils used in cosmetics and chemical industry applications.
The funding comes in the
form of a grant from the Estonian government-backed Applied Research Programme (RUP), organized by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS). The grant will support a three-
year research and development project focused on microbial fermentation-derived lipids and their derivatives, specifically for use in cosmetic and personal care ingredients.
The total budget for the project
is projected to be €1.8m. Founded in 2022 as a spin-
off from Tallinn University of Technology, ÄIO uses biomass and precision fermentation to transform industrial side streams into nutrient-rich oils and fats. The process requires 97% less land and 90% less water than conventional palm oil production,
according to company data. The company’s mission is
to replace unsustainable and unethical oils in cosmetics formulations with its lipid-rich yeast-derived alternative, which is vegan and promotes clean beauty. For the cosmetics sector, ÄIO’s solutions offer an eco- conscious, high-performing, and cost-effective alternative to palm and coconut oil, commonly used in a wide variety of personal care products. Its nourishing properties and additional bioactive benefits make it a natural alternative to petroleum-derived mineral oils, which can be harmful to the skin
AmphiStar secures €12.5m funding
Belgian biosurfactants developer AmphiStar has been awarded €12.5m following the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) latest funding round. The funds, which take the
form of a €2.5m grant and €10m equity investment, will enable AmphiStar to speed up the production of sustainable microbial biosurfactants, upcycled from a bio-based waste feedstock, and ultimately bring them to market. The latest funding follows €12m
previously raised through CBE-JU projects (Waste2Func, SurfsUP), regional grants (VLAIO) and the
early and disruptive support of the German SPRIN-D and Ghent based Biotope in addition to a pre-series A funding round closed in 2024 by three experienced VC funds (ECBF, Qbic, PMV). AmphiStar COO Sophie
Roelants said: “This funding success enables us to take the next steps in AmphiStar’s journey to
commercialisation. “We now look forward not only
to further scaling production of our commercially available products (AmphiCare and AmphiClean), but also to bringing a first novel biosurfactant from our biosurfactant platform technology to market while expanding our range of products beyond our current personal care and home care offerings.” AmphiStar’s synthetic biology
platform is designed to enable the creation of molecules tailored to meet the performance and behaviour requirements of specific applications.
Azelis acquires Italian distributor ACEF
Belgian personal care ingredient supplier Azelis has acquired 100% of the shareholding in Italian distributor ACEF (Azienda Chimica e Farmaceutica) for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1940 in Piacenza,
ACEF supplies speciality raw materials and ingredients for the cosmetic, nutraceutical, galenic and pharma industries. ACEF operates three
laboratories for technical support and quality control, as well as GMP-compliant facilities for pharmaceutical ingredients.
PERSONAL CARE September 2025
Its subsidiary, Arda Natura, specialises in plant extracts and other natural products. ACEF is well recognised in the
local market for the breadth of its product and service offering tailored to the needs of over 4,000 customers in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, galenic products and nutraceutical markets. The company is comprised
of sales and technical experts, including more than 70 employees. It has long-standing relationships with a large network of well-known suppliers, and its broad portfolio
strategically complements Azelis’s lateral value chain for the relevant end markets. With this acquisition, Azelis
significantly expands its footprint in Italy and strengthens its position as industry leader in the relevant end markets.
and cause environmental pollution. ÄIO is currently in active discussions with cosmetics manufacturers interested in utilizing its ingredients in various product formulations. It has also begun sending
samples to cosmetic producers as it prepares to fundraise by the end of Q3 2026 to support its expansion plans. “The cosmetics industry is at a
turning point. Beauty brands of all sizes now realize that sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s an essential requirement driven by increasing customer demand,” said Magdalena Koziol, Head of Cosmetics Development at ÄIO.
TSG Consulting rebranded Sagentia
UK consultancy TSG Consulting has been rebranded Sagentia Regulatory, also encompassing Leatherhead Food Research. The renamed consultancy
guides companies through complex scientific and regulatory challenges, including cosmetic product services. Sagentia Regulatory will continue
to deliver expert regulatory services from offices in Knaresborough and Epsom (UK), Washington DC (USA), and across Europe, helping clients navigate business-critical risks in science and product regulations and compliance. While the Leatherhead Food
Research brand will be retained due to its heritage and industry recognition, it will now operate as part of the Sagentia Regulatory practice. “This rebrand is more than a name change - it’s a transformation in how we serve our clients. Our clients need partners who combine deep regulatory insight with cutting- edge technical expertise,” said managing director Daryl Thomas. “With Sagentia Regulatory,
they gain access to a wider pool of expertise, more integrated services, and a forward-looking approach that helps them stay compliant, competitive, and innovative,” he added.
www.personalcaremagazine.com
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