ESG BEAUTY trend observation: UNICARE Biotechnology actively promotes sustainable beauty CDMO | Dr. WU,PEI-XUAN
In recent years, the trend of ESG sustainable beauty has emerged, and global beauty giants have invested heavily in sustainable development, paying special attention to the three key indicators of environment, society, and governance (ESG). This reflects the growing trend towards sustainable development. Leading international beauty brands such as Guerlain, La Mer, and L’Occitane are actively participating in the development of sustainable beauty through concrete actions such as beekeeping training programs, ocean protection efforts, and the use of sustainably sourced marine plant ingredients.
The positive actions of international beauty brands have laid the foundation for sustainable beauty around the world.
For example：
Guerlain
Guerlain has launched a beekeeping training program to support beekeepers and small-scale farmers, in line with the principles of biodiversity and quality education.
La Mer
La Mer uses deep-sea giant kelp fermentation to rejuvenate the skin while actively participating in ocean conservation.
L’Occitane
L’Occitane has committed to achieving three 100% goals by 2025, including using 100% recycled plastic in global store packaging, providing recycling services, and using 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Melvita
Melvita famous for its organic skin care products, uses 100% recycled PET bottles to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse effects. In addition, Melvita aims to use 25%-100% recycled plastic across its various product lines by 2025, driving bottle recycling initiatives. Since its founding in 1985, Jurlique has been committed to ecological sustainability, adopting organic farming methods and adhering to sustainable practices from soil to packaging.
ELIXIR
the Japanese skincare brand known for its classic lotions and lotions, launched eco-friendly refills in 2021 that use 85% less plastic than traditional packaging.
The actions taken by these international beauty brands highlight their commitment to environmental and social responsibility. However, this has also increased consumer awareness, especially as ESG beauty trends gain traction globally. For brands, this not only means shaping their brand image, but also showing respect for the earth and promoting a healthy lifestyle to consumers.
Embracing the beauty of ESG：How Taiwan’s biotech industry embarks on the CDMO journey
The Executive Yuan Biotechnology Industry Advisory Committee was convened in August 2023 and identified CDMO as an important direction for industry development. This marks an important step for Taiwan’s biotechnology industry to move towards a CDMO, which covers services in the mid- and downstream manufacturing chain from development to launch. Sustainable beauty cooperation through CDMO can quickly integrate Taiwan’s biotech industry towards sustainable development and promote future cooperation in the field of sustainable beauty.
Seeing the outstanding performance of Taiwan’s beauty industry in the wave of sustainable development, UNICARE Biotech displayed the “Sustainable Ark-Beauty Ecological Laboratory” at the 2023 Asian Beauty Biotechnology Expo to be held at the Nangang Exhibition Center. This innovative concept not only promotes sustainable beauty but also injects fresh green vitality into Taiwan’s beauty industry.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to have an interview with Chairman Zhao Lihui of UNICARE Biotechnology and further exchanged views on sustainable beauty. During our conversation, Chairman Zhao Lihui mentioned the company’s positioning philosophy, which is based on sustainability and scientific research, and works with partners through co-creation to create a unique “beauty ecological laboratory”. She also pointed out that how Taiwan’s beauty industry needs to catch up on the sustainable beauty train is believed to be full of challenges for many companies. Therefore, for the “Sustainable Ark Beauty Ecological Laboratory” exhibited by UNICARE Biotech this time, I believe it can Bring a lot of innovation and value to the brand.
Zhao Lihui, chairman of UNICARE Biotechnology, said that from raw materials, technical processes, packaging containers to overall brand planning services, we actively integrate scientific research, co-creation and sustainability perspectives to promote CDMO cooperation, advocating that we start from the source to control the entire brand value chain, and move towards Many SDGs goals have been achieved, such as: using sustainably sourced raw materials such as sustainable palm oil and coconut oil, avoiding the destruction of rainforests and virgin forests, adopting Rainforest Alliance certification, improving the welfare of environmentally friendly farmers, and ensuring the sustainability of raw materials. Support and strive to implement the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), deploy a variety of sustainable beauty and skin care products in advance, and simultaneously achieve multiple SDGs. This move combines trends, ecology and the realization of sustainable development SDGs goals. It is not only an innovation in the beauty industry, but also a green shortcut for sustainable beauty in the future through CDMO cooperation.
With the goal of net-zero carbon emissions, UNICARE Biotechnology’s key performance in the eight SDGs of sustainable beauty is remarkable:
SDG1 (End Poverty)
Use fair trade raw materials, avoid the use of harmful chemicals, and ensure that products are non-irritating to the skin.
SDG3 (Health and Welfare)
Improve skin problems and make skin healthy.
SDG6 (Water Purification and Hygiene)
Launch easy-rinse shower gel to save water waste
SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
Use recyclable packaging materials, support reusable packaging and plastic reduction, reduce the use of disposable packaging, and actively participate in the plastic reduction movement.
SDG13 (Climate Action)
Focus on concentrated and high-efficiency formulas, reduce the addition of water, make the product light in weight and smaller in size, reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated during transportation, have a small impact on the environmental carbon footprint, and achieve carbon reduction. Green maintenance
SDG14 (Conserving the Ocean)
Launching ocean-friendly sunscreen products and biodegradable body wash products
SDG15 (terrestrial ecology)
Use non-toxic and pesticide-free organic certified raw materials and fermentation ingredients
SDG17 (Diversified Partners)
Connect raw materials, packaging, logistics, and manufacturing to create sustainable product value
To protect the healthy ecology of coral reefs, UNICARE actively advocates SDG14 to create ocean-friendly sunscreen products
Especially in sunscreen products, UNICARE Biotechnology actively advocates ocean friendliness to protect coral reef ecology and implement SDG14 (conservation of the ocean). What impact does sunscreen have on the environment? Benzophenone-3, which has been banned in Palau and Hawaii, is a harmful chemical used in sunscreen products. The harm caused is not only coral bleaching and endangering the health of aquatic organisms but may also interfere with humans. The endocrine system may cause skin allergies and even affect the development of children. UNICARE Biotechnology is committed to protecting the ocean and the health of consumers. Through active initiatives, it not only creates a new trend of sustainable beauty in the field of beauty care but also at the same time, moving towards the goal of global sustainable development can also bring about a virtuous cycle of ESG for brand manufacturers.
Overall observation shows
Overall observation shows that the ESG beauty trend has become a major mainstream in the global beauty industry. In addition, with the rise of environmental awareness in recent years, in addition to emphasizing ocean friendliness, “Clean Beauty” is also a mainstream trend in the beauty care market. one. “Purity” mainly appeals to the safety and sustainability of the human body and the environment. This has also led to more and more beauty brands to use ink on packaging and ingredients to reduce unnecessary ingredients and plastic use, and increase the proportion of recycled materials, in order to be more environmentally friendly. and skin!
The Environmental Protection Agency also held a draft discussion meeting on the “Key Points for Promoting Non-food Contact Plastic Recycled Products” in 2022, inviting cosmetics, cleaning products and recycled materials industries to attend, and proposed that 25% of recycled content be added to packaging containers in 2025 and 25% in 2030. To reach the 35% target, we aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and achieve a friendly environment.
At the same time, in this wave of global ESG BEAUTY trend, consumers are giving more recognition to brands’ emphasis on sustainable actions. They look forward to seeing more manufacturers in Taiwan respond to the road of ESG beauty, and move forward hand in hand with professionals and brands. opening the door to “sustainable” development for beauty and health, creating a virtuous cycle for ESG companies, and bringing competitive international advantages to Taiwan.
Expert Profile｜Ingredient Expert Dr. Wu Peixuan
A well-known beauty scholar in Taiwan, he is proficient in formula preparation and ingredient analysis. He is also active in major beauty media platforms. He is currently the CEO of the Cosmetics Industry Research and Development Center of Jingyi University.
