Innovation Interview: Carinsa’s EMBOLDEN Project Revolutionizes Cosmetic Ingredient Delivery with Eurostars Support

Carinsa – EMBOLDEN Project: An Eurostars Success Story

Carinsa is leading the way in revolutionizing cosmetic ingredient delivery with the EMBOLDEN project, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the Eurostars programme.

The EMBOLDEN project addresses the limitations of current moisturizing, UV protection, and anti-wrinkle ingredients in topical cosmetics by introducing an innovative microencapsulation delivery system. This technology ensures that active ingredients are delivered precisely to the appropriate skin layers, significantly enhancing their performance and effectiveness.

We at Evolution Europe are proud to have supported Carinsa throughout the rigorous Eurostars application process. This achievement represents a significant milestone in their mission to provide efficient, multifunctional, and eco-friendly cosmetic solutions to meet the growing demand in both European and Korean markets.

Learn more about Carinsa’s journey and their innovative EMBOLDEN project in our exclusive interview.

1.How did the idea for the EMBOLDEN project start?

From fifteen years of devoted R&D focused on new delivery systems for Home & Personal Care formulations, our company has launched CARINCAP®, a technology platform that integrates all the microencapsulation knowledge and technology developed by CARINSA. 

CARINCAP® has closed the gap between added value ingredients and final consumer products. Increasing compatibility and stability of the selected ingredients in formulations and introduce the appropriate delivery system is one of the strong points of our technology platform.

Keeping this knowledge in our mind, we have detected lack of innovation in cosmetic formulations, which are more focused on innovation regarding active ingredients and less worried about the efficiency of this ingredients on final formulation. 

2. Which specific market need or gap does the EMBOLDEN project aim to address?

The EMBOLDEN project approach is radically different from traditional active ingredients delivery systems in cosmetic formulations. Current delivery systems do not guarantee stability on final formulation and show poor performance due to unspecified delivery through the skin. Our new delivery system increases active ingredients efficiency, reducing ingredients dosage and using sustainable polymers on encapsulation technical approach. Regarding antiwrinkle properties, our aim is replace botulinum toxin intradermal injections with a moisturizing cream that show the same effect through daily application.

3. How did you identify and select suitable partners to collaborate with in the EMBOLDEN project consortium, ensuring synergy and effectiveness?

CARINSA R&D is not performed alone and we are working with universities, technology providers, clusters and public institutions to envisage future ingredients on the Home & Personal Care applications. Regarding EMBOLDEN project consortium, we have been working with EURECAT technology centre in the project since its inception and in collaboration with ACCIO and CDTI, we have detected two partner in South Korea (KAIST and THE HAPPY TREE) that were looking for new technologies regarding ingredients delivery in cosmetic formulations to introduce as fast as possible in Asian market focusing in a first step on Korean market.

4. Could you provide guidance for organizations seeking partners for collaborative Eurostars projects based on your experience?

Project consortium is one of the most relevant key points to success in an Eurostars proposal, at the same level of technical and market scope of the project.

From our point of view, if you have an idea or a proposal suitable for an Eurostars project, you should look around and check if there are companies that are searching what you are offering. In this step it is crucial organizations like ACCIO in Catalonia, CDTI in Spain and EEN across Europe, which will be glad to help you in this search. These institutions have contact points worldwide and can help you to select the suitable partner.

5. What has been your experience collaborating with Evolution during the application process for Eurostars?

Evolution has supported us in an excellent way during all the project proposal preparation, from its inception to final project submission. Evolution team show strong knowledge about Eurostars legal and technical requirements and they have made a key difference to the success of our project.

5. In what ways has Eurostars been key in the progress of the project?

CARINSA is fully committed on the Embolden project implementation, which will disrupt the cosmetic sector with an innovative multifunctional ingredient based on a new delivery system. Eurostars funding will help to close the gap between cosmetics formulation and disruptive ingredients and technologies and it will help our company to reduce to reduce time-to-market.