Press release
Care Solutions
Essen, March 12, 2024

Evonik establishes a new institute dedicated to skin sciences: The Evonik Skin Institute

The Evonik Skin Institute is made up of a global network of life science experts and laboratories that provide customers with stronger support for claim-substantiated cosmetics.

  • New institute brings together Evonik’s most advanced biotech platform and a global network of evaluation labs
  • Offers stronger customer support and science-driven, co-creation projects
  • Builds on a 30-year legacy in actives and 90+ years’ experience in cosmetic ingredients to expand portfolio of biosolutions

Evonik has established a new institute to meet the demand for smartly designed, well-substantiated active ingredients and cosmetic solutions. The Evonik Skin Institute is made up of a global network of life science experts and laboratories that provide customers with stronger support for claim-substantiated cosmetics with biological mechanisms, biomarkers, and preclinical or clinical capabilities. The new institute will also enable more science-driven, co-creation projects.   

The Evonik Skin Institute leverages the company’s biotechnology platform within its life sciences division, Nutrition & Care. It will play an important role in expanding the company’s portfolio of biosolutions, building on a 30-year legacy in active ingredients, over 90 years’ experience in cosmetic ingredients, and a series of recent partnerships and acquisitions.  

“We believe that life sciences are completely redefining innovation in cosmetics,” said Yann d’Hervé, head of the Care Solutions business line. “Inspired by innovation, the Evonik Skin Institute builds on synergies between biotechnology and skin intelligence competencies to take our customers’ claim substantiation needs to the next level.”

The Evonik Skin Institute is a global network of skin science experts skilled in cell biology, 3D tissue engineering, epigenetics, microbiome sciences, and clinical evaluation. The new institute supports Evonik’s Active Ingredients and Cosmetic Solutions businesses with its teams based in Singapore, India, Spain and Germany.

 “We look forward to working with an integrated network of start-ups, academic institution and key opinion leaders to provide more opportunities and support for highly customer-centric, business-for-business collaboration,” said Jennifer Bourland, head of the Evonik Skin Institute.

Ingredients and products must interact positively and intelligently with the skin and cutting-edge science is revealing the role of the microbiome and living world in this interaction. Claims for cosmetic and personal care ingredients are used to precisely describe their scientifically proven benefits and provide a performance commitment that helps to promote each product. Examples of claims include: “soothes the skin” or “reduces wrinkles”.

The Evonik Skin Institute brings together the knowledge and experience that Evonik has built up over 30 years of designing and marketing ceramides. This expertise has been further enhanced through a series of acquisitions, including the Argentinian biotechnology company Novachem, which specializes in natural and sustainable active ingredients for skin and hair care applications, and ALKION Biopharma, which specializes in plant biotechnology for the development of cosmetic active ingredients.

Company information

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €15.3 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.66 billion in 2023. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for customers. More than 33,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.

About Nutrition & Care

The focus of the business of the Nutrition & Care division is on health and quality of life. It develops differentiated solutions for active pharmaceutical ingredients, medical devices, nutrition for humans and animals, personal care, cosmetics, and household cleaning. In these resilient end markets, the division generated sales of €3.61 billion in 2023 with more than 5,600 employees. 

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.