RESEARCH & INNOVATION
INNOVATE WITH COSMETIC VALLEY
THE innovation developmentandresearch and development partnershipsPublic/private partnerships within the perfume and cosmetics sector are among the pillars of COSMETIC VALLEY. They contribute to strengthening the competitiveness, visibility, and attractiveness of research laboratories, companies, and regions.
The actions carried out by the cluster rely on a rich ecosystem of companies, laboratories and experts enabling it to accelerate innovation, support competitiveness and respond to the major challenges of the sector.
The entire value chain is affected:
Our work is supported by a Scientific Expertise Committee composed of 19 research institutions:
Results of this dynamic over the last 20 years
- +1,000 R&D projects in development
- 600 labeled projects
- 5007 scientific publications between 2003 and 2023
- + 60 start-ups supported each year
- +1,000 research laboratories in biology, formulation, biotechnology, photonics, AI & data, toxicology, evaluation, materials, packaging… mobilized in these establishments and others.
- 585 industrial partners involved in certified projects
Let's energize your projects from idea to completion
We support you at every stage of your project. This support is available for both French and international projects.
- Analysis of your topic and your needs
- Connecting you with experts or industry players in the sector
- Support in setting up your project
- Funding identification
- The added credibility of the label for your project
- Developing visibility opportunities
IDCOSM Platform: This platform allows you to promote your project, benefit from networking opportunities with the industry, and find ways to challenge and grow it.
Our strategic priorities:
The collective working groups and organized scientific events are structured around 6 major themes at the heart of current innovation challenges in the sector:
Cosmetic development & evaluation
Topics covered: Formulation, Galenics, Rheology, Bioactives, Encapsulation, Vectorization, Staining, Characterization, Analytical Chemistry, In Vivo, Ex Vivo, In Vitro, Skin Models, Genomics, Stability, Biological and Sensory Testing, Physiology, Biology, Imaging, Photonics, Design...
Find dedicated working groups and scientific conferences:
- Working Group - “Development and Evaluation of Cosmetic Products”
Impact of products on humans and the environment
Topics covered: Toxicology, Ecotoxicology, Microbiology, Environmental impact, Regeneration, Exposome, Pollution, Skin microbiota, Preservation, Interactions, Content/container transfer, Societal impact, Emotion, Sensory perception, Neuroscience...
Among the actions:
- Microbiome Respect collective action
- Cosmetics & Skin Microbiome Scientific Congress, the scientific day dedicated to the skin microbiome
Resource utilization
Topics covered: Energy, Cosmetics, Biosourcing, Biomass, Agricultural by-products, Algae, Biopolymers, Biomimicry, Biodiversity, Water, Supply chain structuring...
Among the actions:
- Action Water4cosmetics, an initiative on water management in the cosmetics industry
- Collective Action AgriCosmetics in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, an organization that facilitates meetings between agriculture and cosmetics
- AMI Bio-based functional agents
New industrial technologies
Topics covered: Eco-processes, Eco-extraction, Green technologies, Green chemistry, Biotechnology, Robotics, Mechatronics, Automation, Rapid prototyping, Industrial scale-up...
Several projects are underway.
Sustainable development
Topics covered: Energy, Sustainable products, Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis, Traceability, Reduction, Reuse, Regeneration, Water/energy conservation, Waste treatment, Recycling, Upcycling, Bulk, Biodegradability...
Several projects are underway:
- Cosmetic Environment & Safety, the congress for innovations with positive impacts on product, human, and environmental safety
Digitalization of the sector
Topics covered Algorithms, Machine Learning, AI, Generative AI, Big Data, Data Analysis, In Silico, Blockchain, Digital Passport, Virtual/Augmented Reality, Connected Objects/Factories, Digital Twins...
Among the actions:
- Working Group - "AI Study and Perspectives"
- European working group on innovation projects related to the challenges of digitalization, planned for 2026. An ACTT4COSMETICS initiative
Label the innovation projects
The labeling helps to anchor the momentum of projects within the sector and to establish their credibility with funders.
How does the certification process work?
Step 1
- Support from the Research and Innovation unit
- Structuring and setting up the project
Step 2
- Project presentation by the partners to the Scientific Expert Committee: academic researchers guaranteeing project confidentiality
- Closed-door project review
- Reviews and recommendations
Step 3
- Official certification by the COSMETIC VALLEY board of directors
- The project can be launched under the best conditions.