“This stage of development allows us to move forward with confidence and shows that birch wood – one of Latvia’s valuable natural resources – can serve as the basis for high-quality cosmetic raw materials. The acquisition of the new reactor enables us to produce oleogel on a larger scale, opening the door to more extensive testing, product development and gradual commercialisation,”

says Māris Būmanis, Member of the Executive Board of Latvijas Finieris.

Using a 50-litre reactor, the oleogel development team is focused on ensuring stable and reproducible production, conducting the required quality and product safety tests, and preparing the documentation necessary for the successful integration of oleogel into cosmetic products. This scale-up phase is a critical step in transferring manufacturing technology from the laboratory to the industrial level.

It has previously been reported that the development of the innovative oleogel is being carried out together with the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and the cosmetics manufacturer Labrains. The product is made using birch wood extract containing biologically active triterpene compounds.
Oleogel research forms part of Latvijas Finieris’ long-term strategy to develop innovative products based on local natural resources and to promote the creation of new, high added-value products.

Project title: “Development of Innovative Body Care Products Stabilised with Multifunctional Birch Bark Extract Particles and a Unique Cosmetic Raw Material.” (1.1.1.3/1./24/A/094)