Lumene gains new product development ideas from research into Nordic natural waxes
Research collaboration helps companies identify new business opportunities even before finished products exist. Lumene joined the BIO4P project, coordinated by Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), to find new ways to use raw materials from northern nature. The collaboration generated valuable research insights, new product development concepts, and perspectives on future business development.
Lumene was interested in the potential of northern nature
Lumene was particularly interested in the potential of compounds derived from berries and logging residues for use in cosmetics.
“The project topic sounded very promising to us. We saw opportunities to discover new raw materials and new ways to use them in cosmetic products,” says Terhi Pesonen, Lumene’s R&D Director.
The project explored how logging residues and food industry side streams could be turned into high-value-added products. Researchers developed bio-based natural waxes from spruce needles and lingonberry press cakes, a by-product of juice production.
Business needs were part of every stage of the research
“Right at the start of the project, we were able to explain what we really needed and what kinds of solutions we could use. It was also rewarding to see the entire value chain involved in the same project,” Pesonen says.
By bringing together raw material producers, research organisations and product developers, the project enabled technical feasibility, user needs and commercial potential to be assessed together.
“Lumene’s feedback on how the natural waxes we developed perform in products has been valuable to us. It has given us an insight into the company’s product development and helped steer our research towards practical applications and commercialisation,” says Hanna Brännström, Group Manager and Senior Scientist at Luke.
Research revealed the potential of natural waxes
The aim was to identify Finnish alternatives to fossil-based waxes and imported natural waxes used in cosmetics and other products.
Working with Aalto University and the University of Oulu, Luke examined the waxes from laboratory experiments to industrial-scale applications. The research increased understanding of their properties and the practical feasibility of production.
“Through the research, we saw that the potential of these natural waxes goes beyond replacing existing waxes. Their unique composition and origin could open up new avenues for developing cosmetics and other high-value-added products,” explains Susan Kunnas, Senior Scientist at Luke.
“We now have many new ideas and concepts that we can draw on in future product development,” Pesonen says.
Research collaboration offers companies more than research results
For Lumene, the collaboration also provided access to expertise beyond its own R&D resources.
“Through research collaboration, a company can influence the outcome from the outset and draw on expertise it may not have in-house,” Pesonen emphasises.
Business collaboration
Customer: Lumene Group, a Finnish cosmetics company.
Need: To identify new ways of using Nordic natural raw materials in cosmetics product development. Lumene was particularly interested in compounds derived from berries and forest residues and their potential new applications.
Solution: Bio-based natural waxes derived from spruce needles and lingonberry press cake were studied to assess their properties, potential applications and the practical feasibility of their production.
Impact: Lumene gained new knowledge about the properties and potential applications of natural waxes, providing new starting points for evaluating these raw materials in future product development. The collaboration also generated new ideas and development concepts and provided insights into potential future business opportunities.
Customer feedback: The collaboration gave Lumene access to new research expertise and perspectives for product development, as well as the opportunity to influence the direction of the research based on the company’s own needs. Lumene also gained new ideas and development concepts for future product and business development.
Funders: Lumene Oy, Fazer Finland Oy, Business Finland.
Partners: Caraway Finland Oy, Fazer Makeiset Oy and Lumene Oy.
Luke’s research partners: Aalto University and the University of Oulu.
