Innovations and business opportunities were the focus of a recent visit by Evonik Chairman Klaus Engel at JeNaCell, a specialist in generating nanocellulose using biotechnology methods and has a unique production process in this field.
At the BioInstrumentation Center in Jena, Engel was briefed on the company’s expanding production and the market launch of new products. JeNaCell is a spinoff venture of Friedrich Schiller University. As part of its venture capital activities, in summer last year Evonik acquired a minority share in the company, which was founded in 2012 by two chemists, Nadine Heßler and Dana Kralisch.
For Evonik, the collaboration with JeNaCell offers access to an innovative material platform. Nanocellulose can serve as a carrier system for cosmetic and medical active ingredients. Evonik and JeNaCell have already initiated the first joint projects in this area.
In addition, JeNaCell is working with process technology engineers from Evonik to look into ways of further expanding the scale of its nanocellulose production process. JeNaCell is currently preparing the market launch of a new product line in the area of dermatology.
It is due to be launched at the end of the first quarter of 2016. The products are used to aid therapeutic measures in medical cosmetology, laser treatments, and skin sensitivities or to supplement aesthetic procedures such as exfoliation. As documented by current studies, they have a long-lasting moisturizing, cooling, and soothing effect on the skin and support the natural regeneration of sensitive skin.