IBM and L’Oréal have partnered to leverage generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology to advance sustainable cosmetic formulation. The collaboration focuses on enhancing the use of renewable raw materials, reducing energy consumption, and minimising material waste during product development.
Central to this effort is the creation of a custom AI foundation model, designed to support L’Oréal’s Research & Innovation teams in optimising formulations across various categories and regions. The project represents a significant step in integrating AI into the beauty industry, particularly at the intersection of technology, chemistry, and sustainability. The formulation foundation model is said to be a first-of-its-kind in the industry.
The initiative is aligned with the growing need to incorporate renewable and sustainably sourced materials into product formulations. L’Oréal has set a goal of increasing the use of bio-sourced and circular economy materials by 2030.
IBM’s GenAI technology will analyse large datasets of formulations and components to streamline key processes, such as developing new products, reformulating existing cosmetics, and scaling up production. This approach aims to make L’Oréal’s operations more efficient while promoting environmentally friendly practices.
“This collaboration highlights how AI can address key industry challenges, such as sustainability,” said Alessandro Curioni, Vice President Europe and Africa, IBM Fellow, and Director of IBM Research Zurich.
“As a key component of our Digital Transformation Programme, this collaboration will accelerate and expand our innovation and reformulation processes, ensuring that our products consistently achieve enhanced levels of inclusivity, sustainability, and personalisation,” said Stéphane Ortiz, Head of Innovation Métiers & Product Development at L’Oréal Research & Innovation.
“With years of expertise in beauty science and data organisation, this significant partnership with IBM marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our approach to innovation and development,” said Matthieu Cassier, Chief Transformation & Digital Officer at L’Oréal Research & Innovation.
The foundation model, a type of AI trained on broad datasets, will enable L’Oréal to better understand the behaviour of renewable ingredients in formulations. This technology will support the development of sustainable product lines while ensuring inclusivity and personalisation for diverse consumer needs.
