Page 163 - CW E-Magazine (25-2-2025)

News from Abroad

COLLABORATION
Estee Lauder Companies to fund MIT research

on biodegradable cosmetic materials

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) developing dispersible, stable, and for-
has partnered with the Massachusetts mulation-compatible materials to block
Institute of Technology (MIT) to research visible light effectively and protect con-
and develop biodegradable materials in sumers from visible light-induced pig-
cosmetics and sun protection solutions. mentation and potential photodamage.
The US-based cosmetics major said “With this new collaboration, we look
it will fund research led by Dr. Robert forward to exploring the potential ways
Langer and Dr. Ana Jaklenec, principal our research can lead to sustainable and
investigator at MIT’s Koch Institute for innovative materials that drive impactful
Integrative Cancer Research, for biodegrad- advancements in skin health,” Dr. Jaklenec
able materials for cosmetic applications said. ELC’s R&D Advanced Technology
and to explore new solutions to combat the Pioneering team is collaborating closely
effects of visible light from the sun. with Dr. Jaklenec and her team of doctoral
candidates, including Linzixuan (Rhoda)
Mr. Carl Haney, Executive Vice to develop a new class of materials Zhang, on these research projects.
President, Research, Product and Inno- that can offer various transformative Dr. Langer, a visionary biotechnology and
vation Officer, ELC, said, “Fostering applications.” With the ELC funding, engineering scientist, serves as an advisor to
strategic collaborations with world-lead- Dr. Jaklenec will test her recently developed the research. ELC has vested over a decade
ing scientific and academic institutions class of biodegradable materials for cos- of effort and support into green chemistry
has long been a critical approach to metic applications. The initiative aims to innovation in the beauty industry and “has
driving innovation at The Estée Lauder further forge ELC’s leadership in green worked to embed the principles of green
Companies and enables us to remain at chemistry. The collaboration will also chemistry throughout our product for-
the forefront of research. We are proud explore possible new solutions to help mulation process” for over 15 years with
to collaborate with exceptional scien- combat the effects that visible sunlight “100% of existing and new in-house raw
tists who are exploring new frontiers in and blue light have on the skin. Lever- materials assessed using peer-reviewed
sustainability and innovation. Dr. Jaklenec’s aging cutting-edge emerging chemical methodology” as of October 2023, accord-
research is demonstrating it’s possible technologies, this research will focus on ing to the company’s website.
ADDED RESPONSIBILITY
ECHA takes on new role to improve safety of packaging

materials

The European Chemicals Agency economy, resource efficiency and en- on this report, the Commission will then
(ECHA) will identify harmful chemicals courage the development of eco-friendly consider appropriate follow-up measures,
in packaging and, when requested, pro- packaging technologies and materials. including possible restrictions on the use
pose restrictions on their use. These res- The regulation introduces new tasks for of substances in packaging materials
ponsibilities come from the new Pack- ECHA. The first task for ECHA is to that pose health or environmental risks.
aging and Packaging Waste Regulation, support the European Commission by These restrictions will follow the exist-
which enters into force this month. preparing a study identifying chemicals ing REACH restriction process. Through
of concern in packaging and related com- this work, ECHA expects to contribute
The new regulation aims to reduce ponents assessing how these chemicals to better protection of people and the
packaging waste, enhance sustainability affect their safety, reuse and recycling. environment from harmful chemicals in
and decrease the environmental impact ECHA is to provide its input to the Com- packaging and promote safe reuse and
of packaging. This will promote circular mission by end of September 2026. Based sustainable recycling.

Chemical Weekly February 25, 2025 163

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