NZ’s native plant and marine extracts are set to create a multi-million dollar export opportunity in the cosmetic industry. Video / Supplied
One of NZ’s fastest growing cosmetic ingredients exporters has launched a multi-million dollar global expansion programme to meet industry demand for sustainably harvested, native plant extracts.
The move follows an approach by a $28bn US retailer looking to incorporate their bioactive ingredients into a new skincare line to supply 500+North American stores.
Andrea Taimana, founder and CSO of Organic Bioactives, which supplies ingredients to cosmetic manufacturers in over 24 countries, says New Zealand’s geographical position means it is host to distinctive environmental conditions that can positively impact local plant life and create opportunities for the development of cosmetics ingredients for domestic and new export markets.
All of Organic Bioactives research and development is carried out in specialised laboratories in Aotearoa.
Taimana says the adaptation of native and exotic plants in New Zealand to depletion of the ozone layer and resulting in significantly higher UVB exposure have seen them produce elevated levels of protective antioxidants - which can form active ingredients for a wide range of skincare and personal care products.
Andrea Taimana, founder and CSO of Organic Bioactives. Photo / Supplied
“The impact of the pandemic has seen an acceleration in the shift towards more natural cosmetics, and New Zealand is increasingly being recognised internationally as a biodiversity hotspot that is abundant with bioactives found nowhere else in the world,” she says.
Taimana says all ingredients are sourced locally and harvested by local iwi using traditional Tikanga Māori methods, along with intensive regenerative replanting programmes.
She says their collaborative He Tautāwhitia Ngā Pakihi Wahine Māori business model is designed to empower female Māori entrepreneurship - providing economic and educational opportunities in remote communities across Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.
“Collaborative agreements are in place with local iwi to harvest a range of natives including red seaweed, Mamaku black fern, mānuka Leaf, harakeke and kawakawa, which are then processed using chemical-free green biotechnologies to create high-value ingredients for the cosmetic industry.
“While the efficacy of mānuka honey is established internationally there are many native and New Zealand-grown natural botanicals that offer benefits to the skin that are not yet well understood.
“We believe there is significant potential for this model to be expanded and for this sector to become a billion-dollar export vertical for New Zealand,” she says.
Mario Vulinovich, Organic Bioactives managing director, says they have established a purpose-built laboratory and in vivo clinical studies and in vivo testing clinic with a network of almost 1,000 volunteers to help develop a New Zealand library of science-backed cosmetic ingredients. “Over the past five years there has been a significant migration from the use of synthetics in cosmetics to all-natural and sustainable ingredients.
“We know that as a country of origin, New Zealand has high appeal - particularly to US consumers, however it is essential that we are able to demonstrate the efficacy of our products to build on our reputation and long-term credibility within the industry,” he says.
Organic Bioactives lab. Photo / Supplied
Vulinovich says with the active ingredients within cosmetics making up to 5 per cent of most skincare products, even small order quantities of raw material can have significant export value - earning up to $250,000 per tonne.
He says within the global skincare ingredients market, natural actives is the fastest growing segment and is valued at around US$4 billion.
“Historically, Aotearoa’s distance from major manufacturing hubs has been a disadvantage for the export market however our innovative extraction methods and cultural ethos with regenerative harvesting approach has helped create a significant point of differentiation within our industry.
“We have an established global network of distributors helping sell our products across Europe, USA, Asia, Africa and Australasia.
“Our medium-term objectives are to scale the business to produce 10,000kg of different extracts per month.
“If we can achieve our financial goals, the business will be contributing tens of millions of dollars annually to New Zealand’s export revenues.
“Already one major US retailer is working through the regulatory process required to incorporate our OceanDerMX ingredient into a sustainable product line.
The potential volumes from this one SKU alone are considerable and have the opportunity of recurring revenues - as often these lines endure for three to five years,” he says.
Vulinovich says the company has raised $700,000 from existing investors and is looking to raise up to $2 million from local and international investors.
He says, they are investing $1m, in addition to support from a Callaghan Innovation grant, to develop a freeze-dried alternative to their current OceanDerMX range at their Auckland facility.
“This will be a game changer and will significantly reduce international shipping costs, not to mention our carbon footprint.
“This will mean rather than shipping 1,000kg of finished product, we transport the equivalent of 50kg of powder, which will then go into the final formulation.
“We are about 50 per cent into this project with results looking extremely positive.
“There is considerable room for new product development and expansion into new markets such as hair care and beauty supplements.
“Early on we assembled an experienced international board of directors with a diverse range of expertise within the cosmetic industry to help guide us in our growth,” he says.
