Researchers collaborate on the development of sustainable cosmetics

Teesside University is part of an innovative collaboration with a biotech firm which has secured almost half a million pounds in funding to develop sustainable ingredients for the cosmetics industry.

Hexis Lab, a biotech firm which is working to improve sustainability within cosmetics, has been awarded £490k from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

It is using cutting-edge technology and its own artificially intelligent (AI) platform, HexisPro X, to discover, analyse and test sustainable ingredients which can be used in its environmentally friendly cosmetic products.

Hexis Lab is collaborating with researchers from Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre and BiBer Chem Research.

Dr Muhammad Safwan Akram, Associate Professor (Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange) at Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre, is working with Hexis Lab.

He said: "We are delighted to collaborate with Hexis Lab on this project, which has the potential to revolutionise the cosmetics and personal care industries. It is our moral responsibility to move towards achieving the goal of net zero.

“This project demonstrates the importance of collaboration between academia and industry to develop innovative solutions that can have a positive impact on society, businesses and the environment."

Dr Olusola (Sola) Idowu, founder and CEO of Hexis Lab, added: "We are thrilled to have secured this funding from Innovate UK, which will enable us to further advance our research into sustainable ingredients using synthetic biology.

“This collaboration with Teesside University, led by associate professor Dr M. Safwan Akram, an expert in synthetic biology, and BiBerChem Research, led by Prof Bernard Golding, a synthetic organic chemist, brings together our complementary strengths and expertise, and we are excited to see the results of our joint efforts in this important area.

“This project will support the economic prosperity of the Tees Valley region, allowing us to realise our goals as a manufacturer of high-value materials and help power the circular bioeconomy for international exports.”

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