Interview mit Xavier Gaillard, Deputy General Manager for Strategy, in charge of CSR, SILAB

Xavier Gaillard
Deputy general manager for Strategy, in charge of CSR, SILAB

More and more companies are committed to CSR. How is SILAB viewing this trend? 

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment is more than welcome and becomes a real development strategy rather than just a trend. In fact, concrete objectives are implemented on the long term, showing that companies are willing to have a positive impact on the people and the planet in order to build a sustainable future. It is now considered as the right path to follow for companies, in line with consumers’ expectations in terms of responsibility, ethics, and sustainability.

At SILAB, this commitment is rooted in its DNA and in the core of its activity. The company selects and concentrates the best of Nature and translates the scientific advances of basic research into natural, safe, and effective active ingredients to provide solution for healthy and compromised skin. Intelligence of the living organisms is a genuine source of innovation such as bio-inspiration, biomimetism, etc. Nature provides the company with its raw materials, whether botanical or derived from biotechnologies. It also inspires a strategic vision of development that respects the natural ecosystems thanks to its in-depth knowledge of the cutaneous biological mechanisms. Indeed, the biological active ingredients developed by the company aim to reactivate the skin’s endogenous mechanisms. “Our products respect the fundamental laws of natural balances. Because in its infinite diversity, in order to ensure its balance and sustainability, Nature has thought of everything, everything and the opposite of everything.” likes to remind Jean Paufique, Founder and Chairman of SILAB, one of the pioneers in cosmetic active ingredients.

How are you implementing these CSR core values?

SILAB has always strived to follow an exemplary behavior in terms of CSR. In 2021, this commitment was formalized in a program called Actively Caring, gathering daily actions and setting clear and ambitious multi-year goals for the next five years. It is structured in five essential pillars that apply to all levels of activity: sustainable strategy, development of human potential, responsible sourcing, preserved environment, and support to communities. This program is a genuine driving force for initiatives. An annual report also outlines the main sustainable initiatives of the company. This exemplary commitment is rewarded by the EcoVadis Platinum certification.

SILAB Figure 1

Can you give us an example of SILAB’s sustainable innovation and responsible sourcing?

SILAB is an independent company that places innovation at the core of its strategy in order to make the virtuous circle of independence, growth and profitability a success. Year after year, its capacity to innovate, anticipate and surprise has been demonstrated, with structured investments in people, in equipment and in technologies. This overall approach enables the company to ensure a steady rate of new product launches, with proven safety, and efficacy, thereby contributing to continued growth. 

To illustrate this approach, let’s take the example of one of the latest strategic investments. SILAB manufactures microorganisms (yeast, bacteria, microalgae, etc.) in its production unit for biotechnologies, inaugurated in 2014. Faced with its customers’ growing demand for natural active ingredients of biotechnological origin, the company invested in a new production line commissioned in March 2021, enabling the total production capacity for single-cell organisms to be quadrupled. With all development phases (from R&D to industrialization) fully integrated, SILAB ensures total control over the supply of biotechnological raw materials, which are then used to manufacture natural active ingredients offered in liquid or powder form.

Talking about raw materials, it is important to point out that SILAB is attentive to securing its supplies and conducts a responsible policy, as shown by its status of UEBT member. The company relies on its Mastering natural program to guarantee the authentication, traceability and safety of all its natural raw materials. Their sustainable and renewable character is taken into account starting with their selection. SILAB has therefore decided to use resources that limit its carbon footprint: biotechnologies of course, but also co-products, organic farming and short supply chains. For example, when developing PEPTILIUM® in 2021, SILAB specifically selected the cranberry fruit press cake, the co-product of a super-fruit, in an upcycling process. Besides, the company chose to work with a supplier committed to sustainable development practices.

Beyond its own commitment, SILAB also includes all its stakeholders, in particular by the signature of a Responsible Purchasing Charter and regular monitoring of its suppliers. 

SILAB Figure 2

What can customers look forward to see at in-Cosmetics next week? 

Each year, SILAB invests more than 20% of its turnover in R&D, thus prioritizing innovation in order to continuously surprise its customers. In-Cosmetics Global will be the occasion to present these latest innovations, especially those resulting from the company’s research program on regeneration. They were developed by the Research teams in accordance with the company’s elevated CSR standards and are dedicated to meet expectations in terms of scientific advances, product efficacy, safety, and naturality. SILAB is looking forward to meeting you!

 

 

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