Seprify and Grolman roll out bio-based cosmetic ingredient across Europe

Fribourg-based cleantech company Seprify has partnered with Germany’s Grolman Group to roll out its cellulose-based cosmetic ingredient, SilvaLuma, across the European personal care market. The collaboration marks a new phase in Seprify’s commercial expansion beyond food applications and into high-performance cosmetics.

Following more than 20 months of research, development and validation, SilvaLuma is now being introduced to formulators in skincare and suncare products. The ingredient is designed to enhance SPF performance and deliver mattifying effects while reducing reliance on conventional mineral and fossil-based materials.

The European cosmetics industry is facing increasing pressure to reformulate products in response to regulatory scrutiny, environmental considerations and growing demand for sustainable ingredients. In particular, brands are seeking alternatives that can reduce UV filter loads and address concerns related to marine ecosystems and fossil-derived polymers.

Through the agreement, Grolman Group will integrate SilvaLuma into its cosmetics portfolio across the European Union, the United Kingdom and Turkey. Seprify will provide technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities to support customer development and scale-up.

SilvaLuma builds on Seprify’s broader cellulose technology platform, which originated from research at the University of Fribourg and the University of Cambridge. As with the company’s plant-based white pigment for food applications, the new ingredient leverages bio-based materials to combine performance with a favorable carbon footprint profile.