Open innovation: a flexible partnership between scientific players
To harness the diversity of scientific ecosystems and move into emerging scientific and technological fields, L’Oréal Research has developed an open innovation approach.
To enhance agility and responsiveness and to decrease lead time, L’Oréal pursues open innovation by developing partnerships with laboratories, research institutions, start-ups, suppliers and more. By combining its vast database, formidable roll-out abilities and innovation expertise with the advances made by these industry players, the Group is contributing to the development of a promising and potent new innovation strategy for beauty.
An open mind on all fronts
Research & Innovation implements this open approach in three fields: open research, which cultivates scientific partnerships with universities and research institutions; open innovation, which builds partnerships with suppliers, start-ups and other industries to develop innovative materials or formula platforms; and open development, which sees the Group work with the best subcontractors to quickly bring fast-moving products to market and create high added-value innovations either through vendor-owned or co-developed technology.
NanoEnTek: miniature diagnostics in South Korea
In line with this approach, L’Oréal has, for instance, begun a partnership with the South Korean start-up NanoEnTek, which has developed a miniature diagnostic tool. Originally marketed in Japan, this technology analyses the proteins on the skin’s surface and uses an algorithm to determine the consumer’s skin type. Combined with a visual assessment and a questionnaire, it recommends a personalised product perfectly suited to the consumer’s needs. Not only does this miniature diagnostic tool provide a new service for consumers and a new methodology for performing clinical tests and recording data, it opens up new avenues in creating customised cosmetics for a specific skin type.
