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Naturex expands Ingenium

21 Nov 2016

In March 2016, Naturex, launched Ingenium, an Open Innovation Program aiming, it says, to advance technological breakthroughs by supporting innovative ideas and disruptive technologies.

In March 2016, Naturex, launched Ingenium, an Open Innovation Program aiming, it says, to advance technological breakthroughs by supporting innovative ideas and disruptive technologies. Among the avenues being explored, are plant cell technology processes and bioreactor cultivation practices, alternative ways to grow plant raw materials with full traceability, while preserving natural resources.

In vitro Plant-tech is Swedish company with whom Naturex has an agreement. It specialises in plant cell culture development and production. This technology is said to enable production of uniform, high quality plant material, free from pesticides, heavy metals and adulteration. As part of the agreement, IVPT will use its patented processes to develop and produce unique and exclusive plant cell lines for Naturex.

The obtained material said to be identical to the plant’s and its components can be used as ingredients in functional foods, dietary supplements or cosmetic applications.

Founded in 2011, Green2Chem’s ambition is to develop and operate bioreactors to cultivate any type of plant roots, with applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics markets. As humanity faces major challenges in healthcare, Naturex says, it may be necessary to accelerate production of plant roots through technological innovations in order to make their health benefits available to all. Naturex and Green2chem are collaborating on high value plant roots, thus helping to unlock a plant’s full potential.

“As the world leader in specialty plant-based technology, Naturex must anticipate the market’s future needs;” said Marc Roller, Naturex CSO. “Today Naturex’s business model is exclusively based on sustainably sourced plant-based extracts but we know that we must remain open to new sustainably obtained natural raw materials. The Ingenium Program helps us identify promising paths and potentially strategic lines of inquiry. Plant-cell technology and bioreactor cultivation may be two of them.”