L’Oréal has announced the first cohort of 13 start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to join L’Oréal L’AcceleratOR, its flagship sustainable innovation programme, following a review of nearly 1,000 applications from 101 countries.
Backed by €100 million in funding over five years and delivered in partnership with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), L’AcceleratOR is designed to support the development and scaling of solutions addressing key challenges across climate, nature and circularity.
The selected companies span four focus areas: next-generation packaging and materials, nature-sourced ingredients, circular solutions and data intelligence. According to L’Oréal, the chosen innovators demonstrated strong potential to advance low-carbon packaging, bio-based ingredients, waste reduction and emissions measurement technologies.
In next-generation packaging and materials, the cohort includes UK-based Kelpi, which develops recyclable packaging from seaweed; Japan’s Bioworks, producing plant-based bioplastics; Sweden’s Blue Ocean Closures and PULPAC, both focused on fibre-based packaging alternatives; UK firm Pulpex, which is developing recyclable paper bottles; and Estonia’s RAIKU, which uses natural wood to create protective packaging.
Nature-sourced ingredient innovators include France’s Biosynthis, US-based P2 Science, and Oberon Fuels, which converts wood and pulp waste into renewable ingredients for spraying formulations.
Circular economy solutions are represented by Belgium’s Novobiom, France’s REPLACE, and Brazil’s Gàs Verde, which produces biomethane as a substitute for fossil fuels in industry and transport. The data intelligence category is represented by UK-based Neutreeno, which provides digital tools to measure and reduce supply-chain emissions.
The 13 selected partners will enter an intensive support phase led by the CISL innovation team, focused on pilot readiness. They will also gain access to L’Oréal’s global resources to develop pilot projects lasting between six and nine months, with the potential for wider deployment across the group’s international operations.
“To accelerate sustainable solutions to market, we are being even more intentional and inclusive in our pursuit of partnerships through L’AcceleratOR,” said Ezgi Barcenas, chief corporate responsibility officer at L’Oréal. “We are energised to be co-designing the future of beauty with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and these 13 change makers.”
James Cole, chief innovation officer at CISL, said the partnership aimed to bring promising sustainability solutions to scale. “By identifying scalable solutions that benefit people, nature and climate, and elevating them to the world stage, we are helping turn a sustainable future into a practical reality.”
