Pierre Fabre, a French cosmetics and pharmaceutical company, has partnered with the Sorbonne University to develop a groundbreaking bioplastic project inspired by biomimicry. The innovative material, produced by microalgae, captures CO2 from the atmosphere and transforms it into a bioplastic that could potentially be used in industrial settings.
The project is part of Pierre Fabre’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to the fight against plastic pollution. The company has implemented various initiatives, including reducing packaging, using recycled materials, and developing recyclable packaging. However, the company recognizes that more needs to be done to address the growing demand for sustainable products.
The Green Bioplastics project aims to develop a biodegradable and biosourced material that can be used to design packaging products. The material is expected to meet the needs of packaging, including strength, formula protection, and compatibility, while also being biodegradable and having a virtuous end-of-life.
The research work is being conducted by a team led by PhD Stéphane Lemaire, a microalgae specialist at Sorbonne University. The team has made significant progress in understanding the potential of microalgae to produce bioplastics and is now working on optimizing the culture conditions to improve production yields.
Pierre Fabre expects to produce the first industrial batches of the bioplastic as early as 2030. The company is also exploring other options for sustainable packaging, including the implementation of a deposit system and the development of new materials.
The partnership between Pierre Fabre and Sorbonne University has received recognition for its innovative approach. Mariette Gibier, a PhD student working on the project, was awarded the 1st Prix des Trophées for Climate & Biodiversity in the Ocean and Innovation category.
The development of biodegradable bioplastics has the potential to make a significant impact on the fight against plastic pollution and contribute to a more sustainable future.
