From the biotechnologies to the bioth-ecologies, discover the genesis of Codif Technologie Naturelle's ambitious project

Since its creation, Codif Technologie Naturelle has been producing active ingredients while committing to environmentally friendly approaches. The director of Codif, Romuald Vallée, chose to launch a new challenge to his teams: to propose more innovative active ingredients with less impact on the environment. One word will guide the company's actions: Bioth-ecology​.​

Bioth-ecology is, by Romuald Vallée words “the ecology of the future". This word is taken from the word biotechnology. Continuing to dip into the planet's reserves is no longer a sustainable solution.​ Indeed, in Europe, 67 to 75% of consumers say they are interested in scientifically produced ingredients that are comparable in quality to natural ingredients and that preserve natural resources.

What is the strategy adopted by Codif Technologie Naturelle and other company to meet the various challenges? Biotechnology. And for Codif TN, the strategy of bioth-ecologies​, meaning, the technologies of the living.​ This technology allows the cultivation of living organisms without ever putting pressure on nature. To do so, the company once takes a microorganism from the sea​ before placing it in a bio bank. Thus, the company only needs this sample, which it reuses through successive transplantations.​

Romuald Vallée explains that "the word biotechnology is frequently assimilated with the term GMO, or modified matter. This means taking a natural organism and modifying it to produce a drug, for example. In our company, this is not at all our way of acting”. Codif Technologie Naturelle uses high value-added cultivation technologies to grow, as identical to their natural environment, plants and algae.​

In this mode of culture, specific living conditions,​ corresponding to those of the natural habitat of the organism, are recreated. For example, some microorganisms produce EPS thanks to the currents created by a storm. In that case, the company applies these conditions to the micro-organism, in their bioreactors.

According to Romuald, the ultimate goal of Codif's use of bioth-ecologies is "to take nature, which is already a work of art, and [extract] the quintessence of it to eliminate everything that parasites it."​ Today, Codif Technologie Naturelle offers 49 active ingredients. Among them, 22% are from bioth-ecologies, 18% are from greenhouse or marine cultures and 18% are from virtuous harvests (certified organic).

To improve the understanding of the term "Bioth-ecology" and to enhance how this approach can help Biodiversity protection Codif is now member of UEBT (Union for Ethical Biotrade). The goal for this adhesion is to work on every step for the protection of our planet Biodiversity including natural resources management. Since 80% of French people need a better definition of a "natural product" the “embarkment” of CODIF Bioth-Ecology in this special approach for biotechnology is more than a must to do.

In 2019, Codif Technologie Naturelle and 7 cosmetics companies, have decided to join forces to create DNA & Cosmetics Consortium.​

Since a few years, DNA Gensee has been working on different traceability projects, alongside Codif. Together they identify the DNA of plants.​ They are able to identify and trace the origin of the material, either in the plant or in an extract of it.

Three years ago, a collaborative group of eight companies specialized in cosmetics was founded. Four of these companies produce finished products​ and the other three produce active ingredients​.  The goal is simple, to improve the safety and traceability of products​. The Consortium is built on principles and values, a vision and common goals of sustainability.

Codif Technologie Naturelle also acts internally to commit to sustainability. In particular, by implementing carbon footprint monitoring, intelligent waste management, and monitoring the ecotoxicity and biodegradability of active ingredients.​

The company has set up a process for evaluating environmental indicators for each of its assets. According to their calculation, in the next 5 years, all the actives will have been evaluated and we will know the environmental impact that their production represents.

This way, the company is continually seeking to commit itself to the preservation of the planet's resources. And it is quite natural that it is committed to ambitious projects like Corail Artefact.​

Corail Artefact is a project that brings together Art, Science and Education. Its goal is to try to find solutions against the degradation and disappearance of coral reefs in the world​. To do this, its creator, Jérémy Gobé, has invented a support to help and accelerate the reproduction of coral reefs. It is woven from a traditional cotton lace​, with patterns similar to coral and capable of technically imitating the processes implemented by the coral.

Corail Artefact is collaborating with Codif Technologie Naturelle to create new samples of these coral reef regeneration materials. Jérémy Gobé has identified natural extracts​, produced by the company, which, when integrated into the lace, increase its performance, while respecting its environment.

The perfect illustration of the implications of Codif TN for the environment, are its active ingredients.​ Among the latest: Samphira Oil Bioactive!​

Samphira Oil Bioactive is an active ingredient that comes from organic rock samphire​, hand-harvested on the Atlantic coast from the north of Brittany to the Ile de Ré (France). The harvesters are committed to signing a charter of good harvesting practices and are certified Cosmos Organic​. And while the harvesting of the first ingredient of Samphira Oil Bioactive is done in a very traditional​ way​, its transformation is completely high-tech.​

Indeed, to transform the rock samphire, Codif Technologie Naturelle uses the process of transformation by supercritical CO2. This process allows to obtain a pure and concentrated plant material extract thanks to a unique solvent, the supercritical CO2. ​

Samphira Oil Bioactive is an ultra-responsible active ingredient​ and a natural alternative to retinol.​ By stimulating the expression of CRABP-II, it has a redensifying action​ and increases the thickness of the skin​. The active ingredient acts on collagen synthesis and epidermal renewal to smooth skin texture, reducing both wrinkles and pores​. Overall, skin tone is brighter​ and more even. The volunteers observe an increase in skin suppleness and the skin looks younger.

Furthermore, Samphira Oil Bioactive has the advantage to induce no inflammatory​ reaction.  Therefore, it provides an eco-friendly alternative to retinol for all skin types, even sensitive skins.

Codif Technologie Naturelle proves, this year again, that it is one of the companies, which does not cease reinventing an innovative cosmetic.​