PRECIOUS

Enhancement of food supply chain waste in cosmetics.

 

Description

The objective of the project is to create completely natural products, containing titrated and characterized bioactive compounds, obtained with highly sustainable processes, reusing waste biomass in a circular economy perspective. The search for maximum eco-sustainability is possible thanks to the replacement of the classic extraction methods used until now, i.e. chemical solvents, which in many cases are toxic to people and cause environmental pollution. Instead it is used a technology defined as clean and green, the steam explosion which, through the sole use of water at high temperatures and pressures, is capable of destroying the biomass and extracting the components of interest. At the end of the process we can obtain final products that are titrated and characterized, which means having cosmetic products in which there are known quantities of the bioactive compounds present inside and not a totality of compounds not well quantified as in most products on the market today.

Result to be enhanced

These product innovations ride the wave of consumer demands for highly selected products with a strong regional identity, high environmental sustainability throughout the production chain, and, above all, a “bio” natural origin. These characteristics represent a clear advantage for the product, as they align perfectly with consumer preferences, which are the primary drivers of market success.
Another advantage lies in the valorisation of by-products, which in this case are transformed into resources rather than waste requiring disposal, thus reducing costs and environmental impact. From a circular economy perspective, a supply chain for the reuse of winemaking by-products is established, creating benefits for by-product producers, companies involved in biomass reuse, and the ecosystem.
Finally, the positive impacts extend not only to the companies involved in the project but also to the Piedmont region as a whole. The region is recognised for its great fertility due to the availability of high-value raw materials and the concentration of highly innovative companies.
The disadvantages, although present, are relatively few. The first concerns the seasonal nature of the biomass used for production. Grapes are harvested during the vintage season, typically between July and August, as the fruit ripens during this period. Seasonality, climate, and grape variety are variables that must be carefully considered to achieve the standardisation required for industrial-scale production.
Another issue is unfair competition in the cosmetics sector, where products labelled as “natural” often rely on the minimal inclusion of an extract, such as aloe or other plant-based ingredients, purely for marketing claims. These products, in most cases, have lower production costs and shorter production times while maintaining a certain level of credibility among consumers, drawn by the proclaimed miraculous effects.

Why is it important?

Through the creation of a new series of more active and functional products, respectful of the environment, the consumer can choose sustainable products and be a conscious contributor to the safeguard of our planet.