The Japanese chemical company Toray Industries has developed a bio-based technology to produce biodegradable microparticles to use in personal care products such as colour cosmetics and skin care products.

Its new technology will produce bio-based 2-pyrrolidone, the precursor for the synthesis of Polyamide 4 which can be used as microparticles in personal care products.

Polyamide 4 is becoming popular with foundation and eyeshadow formulators. Unlike conventional petrochemical plastics, this solution is reported to be marine-biodegradable in line with the OECD 301F standard, allowing it to avoid future bans on placing products on the market.

Toray’s new technology enables petroleum-based microparticles to be replaced with those made using biomass feedstock such as sugars. Toray plans to scale up to industrial production by March 2029. At the same time, the Tokyo-based group sees an opportunity to reduce its own carbon footprint.

The new technology is expected to be introduced to other industries. Bio-based 2-pyrrolidone can provide a platform to develop other strategic derivatives, such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), an essential solvent in semiconductor manufacturing as well as in high-performance engineering materials.

Sustainable Cosmetics Summit
Details will be given of new and emerging sustainable materials for cosmetic formulations and packaging at the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit. The North American edition will be hosted in New York on 21-22 May, Latin American edition in Sao Paulo on 6-7 July, whilst the European edition will be hosted in Paris on 27-28 October. More information is available from the website