Searching a material or coating that releases an active ingredient to nurture the skin from a personal care

Type of Solution sought

An analysis method
A manufacturing process
A material
A technology
A partner
Other: A material design consisting of a carrier material in combination with one or multiple active ingredients that benefit the skin. The material combination or ‘the system’ should allow controlled release under user conditions and comply fully to cosmetics regulatory.

Description of Desired Solution

A SpecialChem Client is seeking a material or coating technology for a personal care device that is able to hold and release in dry conditions, an active material/ingredient beneficial for the skin.

Background

The SpecialChem Client is a leading player in the Personal Care devices with established market share, brands and distribution outlets.

The company has a wide range of products in their portfolio that contact the skin, while moving over the face or the body.

Moving the personal care devices over the skin under dry conditions can cause irritation. Therefore, the SpecialChem Client is looking for a material (as a solid bar or applied as a coating) that can hold and release an active material/ingredient that can benefit the skin, e.g., claimable to nurture the skin.

Detailed Solution Description

Ideal solutions are:

A material, or coating technology, that can release an active ingredient such as a vitamin of an organics extract that can be claimed as beneficial to the skin.
The material can be a polymer, composite, coating, etc.
The material that holds the active ingredients should be processed by injection molding, extrusion, or other common forming technologies.
The forming process should not degrade the active ingredients, and result in a material(structure) that allows controlled release of the active ingredient in a range that fits the use frequency of the personal care appliances.
Controlled release should be in dry conditions. So, no additional water or foam should be required as activation for release.
The release rate of the active ingredients from the carrier material must be controlled in a range to ensure a sufficient lifetime for longer period and multiple use cycles.
The release mechanism can be e.g., leaching from the material, sweating of the material, breaking of liquid droplets included in the material due to an external stimulus, etc.
Biobased and/or biodegradable materials have a strong preference.
All materials must comply fully to international Cosmetics regulatory.

Possible Routes To Investigate

Compounded plastic mixture of active ingredients and carrier materials (plastic), resulting in a uniform bulk material, or resulting in specific dual-phase structure or permeable open structures that can be optimized for a specific release rate or gradual wear.

Solution that are not of interest

Solutions that require the addition of an external stimulus, e.g. activation by heat or water to initiate release.

Anticipated Next Steps with Respondents

Upon receipt of a proposal, the proposal will be assessed.

Depending on the maturity of the solution, a Proof of Concept at lab scale is realized as soon as possible (within 3-6 months).

Other Comments / Important Considerations

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Type of Outcome expected

Technology Readiness Level (TRL#)	TRL 4 or above
Explain	Validation in laboratory environment or more advanced levels

TRL#	Technology Readiness Level	Description
1	Basic principles	Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development (R&D). Examples might include paper studies of a technology’s basic properties.
2	Technology concept	Basic principles are observed. Applications are speculative, and there may be no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumptions. Examples are limited to analytic studies.
3	Proof of concept	Active R&D is initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically validate the analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology. Examples include components that are not yet integrated or representative.
4	Validation in laboratory environment	Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. Examples include integration of “ad hoc” hardware in the laboratory.
5	Validation in relevant environment	The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so they can be tested in a simulated environment. Examples include laboratory integration of components.
6	Prototype demonstration in a relevant environment	Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a laboratory environment or in a simulated operational environment.
7	System prototype demonstration in an operational environment	Prototype near or at planned operational system. Represents a major step up from TRL 6 by requiring demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment.
8	Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration	Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) of the system in its intended system to determine if it meets design specifications.
9	Actual system proven through successful usage	Actual application of the technology in its final form and conditions. Technology is commercially available.

Company Demographics

Fortune 500 Company,
Global player in Personal Care devices,
Investing >10% of sales in R&D

Business considered

Licensing
Buying
Other: Depending on the maturity and fit of the solution, the SpecialChem client is open for co-development.

Searching a material or coating that holds and releases an active ingredient that can nurture the skin from a personal care device in dry conditions