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Description
The project objective is to develop and market a new line of cosmetic and household cleaning products called RE.FEEL, based on the zero-waste philosophy, i.e. products without packaging.
Zero-waste applies to the product itself (innovative ingredients such as algae from the North Sea, with no harmful substances), as well as the carrier (bar, tablet, stick), packaging (from biodegradable and reusable materials) and the method of use (possibility of refilling reusable packaging without disposable bottles). Products will be manufactured using energy- and material-efficient production technologies powered by renewable energy sources. Thanks to the installation of photovoltaic panels, 224.53 tons of CO2 per year will not be emitted into the atmosphere (saving 0.05 GWh of electricity).
The project objective will be achieved through the implementation of the following activities: development of formulas for the new products by a Polish scientific unit in cooperation with the Norwegian project partner; adaptation of the production and warehouse building, purchase of devices and equipment for production operations, including an IT system for company management, and certification of new products.
The Norwegian partner, Seaweed Energy Solutions AS, is a pioneer in algae cultivation in Europe, with patented cultivation technologies and competence in the use of algae in a number of sectors. The partner will be involved in selecting the appropriate algae species for the production of our cosmetics. They will produce several base algae species and provide raw material for testing. Also, the partner will develop a method for algae transport from Norway and storage for the purposes of production in Poland, and it will adjust the algae species to the production needs (if necessary - based on the results of tests on the trial batch).
Upon completion of the project, a long-term collaboration with the partner as the key supplier of algae for cosmetics production is expected.
Summary of project results
The project was intended to solve the problem of large amounts of plastic in the cosmetics industry. Until now, each product was packed in plastic packaging. Thanks to the project, we have created products that can be produced in reusable packaging. This will reduce the production of plastic packaging and CO2 consumption. Reusable packaging allows you to purchase refills that do not require the use of plastic. The consumer only purchases the product that he or she refills in a package that he or she will buy only once.
As part of the project, machines for the production of cosmetics were purchased, such as a homogenizer, a mixer for loose products, a tablet press and a heat pump, along with office equipment. Construction works were also carried out, i.e. the construction of a cosmetics factory where cosmetics will be produced. Recipes for production were also purchased.
Thanks to the project, a cosmetics factory was created and equipment for it, such as a homogenizer and mixer, was purchased. Additionally, a heat pump and photovoltaic panels were purchased. Cosmetics recipes have also been developed that work on the refill principle, i.e. they do not require disposable packaging. The recipes purchased for the project are designed in such a way that they do not require a liquid form, but are available in solid form. For example, shampoo bars or dry toothpaste in tablet form. Thanks to this solution, the purchased machines and devices produce cubes or tablets that can be sold without packaging and additional preservatives. The liquid form requires the use of chemicals that prevent mold and packaging that allows the products to be transported. In this way, we mainly transport water and raw materials. Thanks to the project, our products avoid water transport and we transport clean raw material.
The project was created for the target group of people aware of the threats of pollution of our planet. He sees the dangers associated with it. The result of the project is the creation of cosmetics for these people and showing future customers that the production of cosmetics can have a smaller impact on our planet. We focus on people living in large cities, educated and aware of environmental threats. Currently, we are focusing on Poland, but in the near future we plan to sell to European countries such as Germany, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Thanks to the project, we have created 6 new products such as shampoo bars, soap bars, toothpaste tablets, glass cleaner, bathroom tablets and bathtub balls. Thanks to these products, we achieved the goal of reducing plastic consumption to zero because none of the products requires disposable packaging, reducing CO2, increasing employment and increasing sales.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation consisted in the partner providing algae that are part of the products created by the beneficiary. A scientific institute from Poland has created product recipes based on Norwegian algae. The partner cooperated throughout the project through its knowledge of the transport and storage properties of algae. The appropriate type of algae has been selected. The beneficiary plans to obtain algae from the partner during further production.