L’Oréal Group has chosen 13 startups for its first sustainable innovation accelerator, after evaluating nearly a thousand applications from 101 countries. These businesses—now backed by one of the industry’s largest conglomerates—aim to transform the beauty sector by focusing on areas like recyclable and biodegradable packaging, and responsibly sourced ingredients.
“It was a fascinating selection process, showing that this sustainability challenge is driving a powerful wave of innovation worldwide, across every discipline and type of solution,” says Rachel Barré, VP of environmental leadership at L’Oréal Group. Launched in April 2025, L’AcceleratOR will invest €100 million in participating companies over five years, in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). The program is designed to help innovative startups and small to medium-sized enterprises scale in areas that will advance sustainability for L’Oréal and the wider industry.
The selected startups include a Belgian biotech company using fungi to recycle discarded textiles into sustainable ingredients; a British firm that creates recyclable, low-carbon packaging from seaweed; and a U.S.-based green chemistry specialist that upcycles organic material from industrial processes into sustainable cosmetics ingredients.
“We decided to focus on the most pressing challenges we face as L’Oréal and as an industry—ones that can be addressed through innovation and technology,” Barré explains. “That’s why we’ve prioritized next-generation packaging, ingredients from nature, technologies and solutions that enable circularity, as well as data and intelligence tools that support our 2030 sustainability agenda.”
L’Oréal’s 2030 sustainability goals include sourcing at least 90% of bio-based materials for formulas and packaging, obtaining over 75% of ingredients from natural or recycled sources in formulas, and ensuring 50% of all packaging materials come from recycled or bio-based sources.
The winning companies were able to show meaningful progress toward commercialization. “We wanted to focus on companies ready to pilot, with strong scalability potential and the ability to deliver impact at scale,” Barré notes.
While some chosen companies already work with L’Oréal—such as biomethane producer Gás Verde, which partnered with L’Oréal to build the world’s first dedicated biomethane refueling station for cosmetics in 2024—Barré expects many others to bring their products to market soon.
“The selected partners in this first cohort are not only pilot-ready and scalable, but they also have strong business sponsorship within L’Oréal,” she says. “This should allow us to bring them to market relatively quickly, depending on pilot results.”
The 13 companies, evaluated by L’Oréal, CISL sustainability experts, and external reviewers during selection, will now enter an intensive support phase led by CISL’s innovation team, focusing on pilot readiness. They will also have the opportunity to launch six-to-nine-month pilot projects with L’Oréal’s support, with potential for their solutions to be scaled across the group’s global operations.
Looking ahead, L’Oréal plans to open applications for the next round of the innovation program later this year. The beauty giant sees collaboration with small innovators as key to advancing its own sustainability goals, while also helping these 13 companies—and future innovators—succeed.
“It can be challenging for startups without the right point of contact…””For a major company like L’Oréal, the process of evaluating, adopting, and scaling new innovations can be lengthy,” says Barré. “Our goal is to accelerate that process and help us reach our 2030 sustainability targets faster by bringing scalable, sustainable solutions to market.”
Here are the 13 companies in the first group.
Next-Generation Packaging and Materials
Blue Ocean Closures
Founded in Sweden in 2021, Blue Ocean Closures makes fiber-based caps and lids as an alternative to plastic. The company uses a unique technology to press-dry plant-based fibers from responsibly managed forests into high-density 3D shapes, creating caps and lids for which recycled alternatives have been scarce. These products work with existing production lines, making them a practical and scalable plastic alternative. This solution uses 10% of the energy of traditional plastic molding and cuts CO2 emissions by up to 80%.
Bioworks
Founded in Kyoto in 2015, Bioworks creates bio-based and biodegradable materials to replace conventional plastics in cosmetics packaging, aiming to balance sustainability with performance. It has developed plant-based additives that strengthen the functional properties of bio-materials. Its next-generation packaging material, PlaX, is made from sugarcane and is stronger, more heat-resistant, and easier to mold than competing products. It emits 62% less CO2 than traditional petroleum-based plastics, and its compatibility with existing supply chains makes it easier for brands to reduce their environmental impact.
Kelpi
Seaweed is the key to the recyclable, low-carbon packaging created by Kelpi. This UK-based sustainable materials company and certified B Corp was founded in 2020. It combines biomaterials research with commercial development to produce seaweed-based alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. Kelpi has pioneered a biomaterial coating made from renewable seaweed and natural plant oils. It provides a plastic-like barrier against water, oxygen, grease, and acidic contents while remaining fully biodegradable and recyclable. The primary material is responsibly sourced seaweed, which requires no land, freshwater, or fertilizers.
Pulpex
British startup Pulpex was created to develop alternatives to glass beverage bottles, driven by sustainability concerns and restrictions on glass at outdoor events. It began as an R&D collaboration between Diageo and Pilot Lite Group before becoming independent in 2020. The team explored fiber-based packaging as a safer, eco-friendly solution and developed a patented process for creating PET-free fiber bottles from wood pulp. These bottles are recyclable through existing waste streams and can be used for a broader range of products, including cosmetics and wellness items. The company is currently building a full-scale production plant in the UK and establishing global manufacturing partnerships.
Pulpac
Sweden’s Pulpac, founded in 2018, is an innovator in low-carbon, paper-based packaging. Its initial goal was to find an alternative to single-use plastic. Experiments with pressing plant-based fibers using a simple workshop press led to a breakthrough: Dry Molded Fiber (DMF). This now-patented technology forms cellulose without the water-heavy, energy-intensive processes of traditional methods.Pulpac supports the global adoption of its innovation by connecting brands with a network of leading machine suppliers, packaging converters, and material partners through its licensing model.
Raiku
Founded in Estonia in 2021, Raiku transforms natural, fully compostable materials into packaging. Its technology uses responsibly sourced wood to create coiled springs without chemicals or additives. The company claims its process reduces water use by 99.9%, energy by 95%, and wood by 90% compared to traditional paper production. Its modular production units can be installed in any warehouse, allowing for flexible and cost-effective expansion. The technology supports circular economy principles by using renewable, low-carbon, compostable materials and reducing waste—an important step, as only 65% of packaging in Europe is currently recycled.
Ingredients Sourced from Nature
Biosynthis
Chemical engineer Thierry Bernoud founded Biosynthis in France in 2001 to develop sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based ingredients for cosmetics, lubricants, and detergents. The company uses low-impact, biodegradable, and renewable ingredients, specializing in bio-based oleochemicals derived from vegetable oils and fats. These include biodegradable emollients, thickeners, polymers, and innovative aids like biodegradable micro-capsules.
P2 Science
Founded in 2012 by Patrick Foley and Paul Anastas—the latter known as the “Father of Green Chemistry”—P2 Science creates plant-based ingredients and processes based on the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. These principles include avoiding waste and using renewable feedstocks to replace unsustainable petrochemicals in everyday products.
The company’s patented Citropol technology upcycles organic materials from industrial processes, such as pine tree oils from the pulp and paper industry, into high-performance polymers and cosmetic fluids for use in cosmetics and fragrances. This replaces substances like silicones with biodegradable, renewable, and biocompatible alternatives. Over 200 beauty products already use Citropol.
Oberon Fuels
California-based clean energy company Oberon Fuels aims to cut global carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives, particularly renewable dimethyl ether (DME) produced from organic and biogas waste. Founded in 2010, it was recognized as a technology pioneer by the World Economic Forum. For L’Oréal, adopting renewable DME offers a direct way to decarbonize product lines while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and product performance.
Circular Solutions
Novobiom
This Belgium-based biotechnology company uses fungi—nature’s most powerful recycler—to transform complex waste into high-value products. Its platform takes clean, non-toxic waste, such as discarded textiles and cotton blends, and uses fungi to convert them into sustainable biosurfactants in a biological upcycling loop. Founded in 2017, the company also leverages fungi and digital technologies for precision bioremediation to restore soil and treat waste. Its innovation is gaining commercial traction through field deployments, EU-funded projects, and collaborations with major industrial players like L’Oréal.
Replace
Recycling company Replace was founded in 2019 to address the growing challenge of recycling muComplex and multi-layered plastics, which cannot be processed by traditional recycling, are transformed by a patented IPRA technology. This process converts plastic waste that is usually rejected by standard recycling systems into durable materials for new products, which can themselves be recycled later. Compared to incineration, the technology reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 96% and can halve carbon footprints. Each production line prevents 6,300 tons of CO2 annually, achieves a 99% material yield, and releases no microplastics. The modular and scalable design allows small units to be placed near waste sources and markets, cutting transport emissions and generating local jobs.
Gás Verde, founded in Brazil in 2022, produces biomethane as a replacement for fossil fuels in industry and transportation. As Latin America’s largest biomethane producer, it operates 12 renewable energy plants across six Brazilian states. In partnership with L’Oréal Group Brazil in 2024, Gás Verde launched the world’s first biomethane refueling station dedicated to the cosmetics sector, fully supplying L’Oréal’s inbound logistics fleet between its factory and distribution center. The company is expanding its network of fueling stations along major Brazilian logistics routes, supporting L’Oréal’s goal that by 2030, 60% of all products sold will be transported by biomethane-powered trucks, with all deliveries to the South and Southeast regions using renewable fuel. Selected for L’Oréal Group’s first sustainable innovation accelerator, Gás Verde is one of 13 startups focused on replacing fossil fuels.
Neutreeno was founded in 2020 by physicist and sustainability engineer Dr. Spencer Brennan to help businesses reduce their hard-to-track Scope 3 supply chain emissions, which typically make up 75% to 95% of a company’s carbon footprint. Instead of relying on lengthy data collection and carbon accounting, Neutreeno focuses on how products are manufactured and identifies more efficient alternatives. Its system detects emissions and inefficiencies across complex supply chains using 90% less data than traditional Life Cycle Assessments, reducing the time for companies to begin making an environmental impact from months to weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about LOréals inaugural Sustainability Accelerator designed to answer questions from a general audience to industry professionals
General Beginner Questions
1 What is LOréals Sustainability Accelerator
Its a new program launched by LOréal to support earlystage startups from around the world that are developing innovative solutions for environmental and social challenges in the beauty industry
2 Why did LOréal create this program
To find and help grow the next generation of sustainable beauty innovations LOréal believes partnering with agile startups is key to achieving its own ambitious sustainability goals faster
3 How many startups were chosen and from where
Thirteen startups were selected for this first cohort They come from diverse regions including North America Europe Asia and Africa
4 What kind of support do the selected startups get
The startups receive mentorship from LOréal experts access to the companys research and innovation resources potential funding opportunities and guidance on scaling their business
5 Is this just about giving money to startups
Not just funding The core of the program is strategic partnership LOréal provides industry expertise RD support and potential integration into its vast supply chain which is often more valuable than money alone for earlystage companies
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What were the main focus areas or challenges for this inaugural cohort
The startups were selected across six key sustainability challenges Green Sciences Sustainable Raw Materials Circularity Distribution Climate Water Social Equity and Transparency Impact
7 Can you give a concrete example of a startup in the program and what they do
Certainly For example UKbased SpinOut produces biodegradable glitter from cellulose offering a plasticfree alternative to conventional glitter Another Francebased CarbonFact is a SaaS platform that helps brands measure and reduce the carbon footprint of their products
8 How does LOréal benefit from this accelerator
Its a twoway street LOréal gains early access to groundbreaking technologies and business models injects external innovation into its pipeline identifies potential future suppliers or acquisition targets and enhances its reputation as