L'Oreal(US:LRLCY) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-21 12:42Core Insights - The beauty giant L'Oréal has selected 13 companies for its "L'AcceleratOR" accelerator program after reviewing nearly 1,000 applications from 101 countries, focusing on biomanufacturing solutions [1][14]. Group 1: L'AcceleratOR Program - The "L'AcceleratOR" program, launched in June 2025 in collaboration with the University of Cambridge's Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), aims to donate €100 million (approximately 800 million RMB) over five years and provide 12 months of resource support to selected projects [3][16]. - The selected companies are expected to promote their solutions within L'Oréal's international business [3][16]. Group 2: Selected Companies - Six of the 13 selected companies are focused on bio-based materials, including: - Kelpi, which has developed a biodegradable coating made from seaweed that offers similar protective qualities to plastic [4][17]. - Bioworks, which has created a bio-based packaging material, PlaX, from sugarcane, reducing carbon emissions by 62% compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics [4][17]. - Blue Ocean Closures, which produces caps from dried plant fibers as an alternative to plastic [6][19]. - RAIKU, which can convert one cubic meter of wood into 203 units of packaging material, reducing wood usage by 90% [6][19]. - Purpex, which is developing recyclable paper bottles [20]. - Novobiom, REPLACE, and Gàs Verde, which focus on circular solutions using fungi, multi-layer plastics, and biogas production, respectively [20]. Group 3: L'Oréal's Investment Strategy - L'Oréal has been actively investing in synthetic biology, having made nine investments in related companies since 2022, with a focus on developing natural active ingredients and alternatives to traditional raw materials [10][23]. - The company's venture capital arm, BOLD, has been investing in beauty startups since its establishment in 2018, with a strong emphasis on biotechnology and green science [10][23]. Group 4: Recent Collaborations - Recent collaborations include investments in companies such as Microphyt for extracting natural ingredients from microalgae, Genomatica for developing palm oil using fermentation technology, and partnerships with various Chinese biotech firms [12][25]. - Notable Chinese companies include: - Blue Ocean Microbiology, known for its biodegradable plastic PHA, with total financing exceeding 1.9 billion RMB [13][26]. - Shanhai Innovation, which collaborates with over 100 companies, including L'Oréal [13][26]. - Weiming Shiguang, focusing on high-value bioactive materials for beauty and personal care [13][26].