L'Oréal Fund invests in UK vegetable pigments business

Sparkcell, a British plant-based color formulation start-up founded by Cambridge University academics with applications in beauty and textiles, has secured £2.5 million from backers including French beauty giant L'Oréal.

The scientists behind SparkCell developed pigments based on the same substance that many plants and animals use to create vivid colors. The pigments are made with vegetable cellulose, meaning they are vegan and renewable, the British newspaper reported. telegram.

The colors are more intense and last longer than those created with synthetic dyes, say academics. Applications include the production of cosmetics, skin care and sunscreen formulations, as well as sequins and color pigments for textiles. Pigments are non-toxic and biodegradable.

The funding, which includes support from Future Communities Capital, will accelerate the development and commercialization of its products. Part of the funding came from the Circular Innovation Fund co-founded by L'Oréal.

Sparkell founder and chief executive Dr Benjamin Troggett says he believes plant-based make-up and other paints have the same growth potential, citing a recent study which claimed more than a million people went vegan in the UK last year.

Drogget also notes that traditional chemical dyes cause “huge environmental impact at every stage of their life cycle, from production to degradation.”