Estée Lauder opens BioTech hub in Belgium. The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has opened a new BioTech hub in Belgium focused on the production of bio-based raw materials. This initiative supports the company’s strategy in the areas of sustainability and innovation by using advanced biotechnological processes to replace traditional ingredients. The hub aims to increase manufacturing capacity and make product development more environmentally friendly.
Estée Lauder opens BioTech hub in Belgium – production of bio-based raw materials
The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) have officially opened their new BioTech hub in Olen, Belgium. At a time when sustainability and innovative product development are crucial for the beauty industry, this site focuses exclusively on the production of bio-based raw materials. ELC sees this initiative as part of its commitment to environmentally friendly practices and the creation of modern alternatives to conventional ingredients.
Preserving biodiversity and conserving resources – biotechnology as a key technology
Biotechnology uses living organisms, such as plants, yeasts or bacteria, to produce raw materials. This approach helps to preserve biodiversity and conserve natural resources. In the new BioTech Hub, ELC engineers and scientists will actively produce biomolecules from various sources, such as plants, yeasts and bacteria. These materials will be integrated into a variety of skincare products offered under various ELC brands. The cooperation with the scientists of Advanced Technologies Pioneering (ATP) in the research laboratories in Melville, New York, will make a significant contribution to further development in the areas of fermentation and bio-based materials. This will complement existing innovations and develop new solutions for future challenges.
Quality and responsibility in raw material production
Roberto Canevari, Executive Vice President for the global supply chain at ELC, emphasizes the importance of high-quality raw materials for the company’s prestige protection products. By taking responsibility for the production of biotech materials at one of its main sites, ELC is able to achieve more sustainable and responsible manufacturing. This is also reflected in the special technology and sophisticated processes used at the new site.
Another step towards strengthening innovative power in Europe
ELC already has years of experience in manufacturing products in Belgium. The opening of the BioTech hub is a further step in strengthening its innovative power in Europe and reflects the company’s commitment to continuous development.
Estée Lauder opens BioTech Hub – Commercial production to start in 2025
The BioTech Hub will not only significantly increase ELC’s in-house production capacity, but will also drive the optimization of production processes in Europe and beyond. The hub has already undertaken several months of production trials and will start commercial production in 2025.
Inclusive corporate strategy and gender-sensitive HR policy
In addition, the BioTech Hub is led by Caroline Paulussen, PhD, whose experience in microbiology and engineering underlines ELC’s efforts to promote women in science and technology careers. More than half of the professionals in ELC’s scientific and technical departments are women, which supports the company’s inclusive policy.
[Text: epcnews/Photo: Estée Lauder]