Biotechnology and Cosmetics
Renewable energy, health care products and functional food production are already known as profitable sectors of Life Sciences, but have you ever thought about the Cosmetics Industry?
Home to the largest biodiversity of the planet and counting with an increasing number of research laboratories and trained labor, Brazil has all it takes to become a global power in the Biotechnology Industry. The Biotechnology area that is mostly affected by the lack of investments is cosmetics.
How about putting Science in the service of beauty? Biotechnologists have been working with the cosmetics industry for a good 40 years, but the whole concept of being green and sustainable of the past decade has changed the way people consume. Everyone is seeking for a healthier way of life, even when it comes to the use of something rather dispensable like cosmetics.
A “Meca” for Beauty
Any good idea related to beauty in Brazil sells. And a lot. Not only national Cosmetics Industry is among the most profitable of the world, but Brazil has the third largest cosmetics market, getting only behind United States and Japan. The Brazilian Cosmetics Industry is also famous nationwide. Present in more than 80 countries around the world, the segment had stable annual increases for the last decade, even in times of economic crisis.
Biotechnology and Cosmetics
Among the trendiest cosmetic products are the ones made with natural actives that promise to bring healthy benefits. Aware of that, cosmetics companies are making huge investments in biotechnology to create advanced products able to promote welfare and quality of life, with an extra touch of nutrition.
With the green wave, the idea of combining nature with cosmetics has captivated Brazilians. A large number of cosmetic companies already have their proper line of products made with plant actives and sustainable ways of production. The most popular are those made with plant extracts from the Amazon forest, like açaí, priprioca, andiroba among others.
But in the Cosmetics Industry, Biotechnology not only uses plant actives as raw materials. The science also researches how animal extracts, marine organisms and alive microorganisms can improve the quality and effects of cosmetics. So today, one can find cosmetics having fish extracts, fruit acids, and even ingredients sourced from bacterias.
What are National Preferences?
Here goes the ranking for Brazilians' favorite cosmetic treatments:
- 24,9% - Hair products
- 14,8% - Fragrances
- 11,8% - Disposables
- 9,7% - Bath
- 9,6% - Skin care
- 9,3% - Deodorant
- 9% - Oral hygiene
- 6,7% - Make up
- 3,4% - Sunscreen
- 0,7% - Shaving products Source: ABIHPEC (Brazilian Association of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Industry)
National Financing Lines for Biotechnology
Profarma
Developed by the Economic and Social Development National Bank (BNDES) this program is destined to finance investments in companies headquartered in Brazil.
Criatec
In January 2007, BNDES (Economic and Social Development National Bank) developed Criatec, a fund for venture capital, destined to start-up companies. Its objective is to obtain capital through long term investments in beginning companies, with innovative profile and prospects of good financial return.
Biominas
Biominas has the Programa de Transferência de Tecnologia (Technology Transfer Program) developed as a partnership with the Inter-american Development Bank (BID). The program makes it possible to Biominas Brasil to finance and invest in Life Science companies.
Institutions that finance research in biotechnology
- Finep – Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (Studies and Projects Financing Agency)
- MCT – Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia (Science and Technology Ministry)
- CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development)
- BNDES - Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (Economic and Social Development National Bank)
- FNDCT - Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (National Science and Technology Development Fund)
- Capes - Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel)
- FBB - Fundação Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil Foundation)
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