Naturex, a manufacturer of plant-based ingredients, is planning a number of collaborations with disruptive start-up brands. The company is hoping the new project will help it to develop the next generation of ingredients.
Naturex has launched Ingenium, an Open Innovation Initiative designed to advance technological breakthroughs by supporting innovative ideas from a range of sources. The company plans to work with emerging start-ups with promising ideas and technology.
Potential partnerships will be considered across all aspects of the business, including regulatory, legal, logistics and marketing as well as formulations. Naturex will offer extensive advice and mentoring in return. Chosen candidates will also be invited to use Naturex’s analytical and application labs.
In addition, Naturex plans to establish a new Technology Advisory Group (TAG), working with key academic opinion leaders and respected technology business spokespeople. The group will cover research of biotechnologies, new extraction and cultivation processes, identification of new botanicals and digital marketing technologies.
Doug Klaiber, CEO at Naturex DBS Division, has been tasked with setting up the Open Innovation Initiative. He has a strong entrepreneurial background having previously set up Decas Botanical Synergies (DBS). The company was acquired by Naturex in 2012.
The initiative has already set up an agreement with Mazza Innovation – which provides premium solvent-free botanical extracts. Naturex will have exclusive use of Mazza Innovation’s patented pressurised low-polarity water technology to extract phytochemicals from cranberries. The environmentally friendly method can be used to create bioactive compounds for use in beauty products.
Benjamin Lightburn, President of Mazza Innovation, commented: “Naturex is a leader in the global nutraceuticals marketplace and we are pleased to sign this exclusive, long-term supply agreement for Mazza's PhytoClean Cranberry extract just as our new production facility comes online. This is excellent confirmation of the attractive premium quality of our clean-label, standardized products.”
Olivier Rigaud, CEO of Naturex, commented on the new plans: “Open Innovation is key to our BRIGHT2020 strategic plan. Our aim is to generate 10% sales through new product developments by 2020, and we know that innovation cannot be provided solely by our own research. By crowdsourcing innovation, Naturex can improve customer value, drive advancements across industries and, last but not least, foster local economic development. We are very proud to be shaping the future of the ingredients industry.”