Commonly known as ‘bog myrtle’, the extract can also be used as an insect repellent and will be processed using biotechnology to supply major UK beauty retailer and provider Boots for both purposes.
The Scottish company has signed a long-term contract with Boots to supply it with the oil for use in cosmetics and healthcare products, which the beauty retailer says should add differentiation to its brands.
The contract means that Boots will also pay a £250,000 grant to ESB in each of the first three years of business aimed at helping out the company with its start-up costs, while the Scottish government is also contributing around £500,000 to overall expenses.
Scottish government and Boots give support
The deal has been brokered with the help of the Scottish Government’s department of environment, headed up by environment secretary Richard Lochhead.
“With Boots increasingly stocking products containing sustainably sourced ingredients bog myrtle is a perfect example of what Scotland has to offer,” Lochhead said.
“Bog myrtle can be used in a multitude of goods from cosmetics to sun care and even has the potential for use in household and veterinary products.”
ESB-Boots studies prove efficacy
ESB was formed as a division of Tech Crops International back in 2007, a company that has long served as a supplier to Boots.
ESB has carried out significant testing on the bog myrtle and claims that it has scientifically-backed evidence to prove that the oil extract has both midge-repellent and anti-ageing properties.
Further studies carried out in conjunction with Boots’ research and development arm have also proved that that more oil can actually be derived from the dry bog myrtle plant than freshly harvested crops.