Checkerspot unveils line of bio-engineered lipids for personal care use
This setup is designed to speed up the uptake of these oils by providing ready‑to‑use prototypes and application‑ready data that address real‑world formulation challenges.
FRANCE – Checkerspot, an American biotechnology company, and La Fabrique Végétale, a French plant-based ingredient supplier, have partnered to bring Algolein™ to the cosmetics and personal‑care market.
Their first commercial product, Algolein™ TG C18/80, is a non‑GMO, high‑oleic algal oil designed as a next‑generation cosmetic‑grade lipid.
Under the agreement, La Fabrique Végétale is responsible for formulation development, concept prototyping, and direct engagement with European brands and distributors, while Checkerspot focuses on producing the algal oils via its microalgae fermentation platform.
Algolein TG C18/80 is being positioned as a drop‑in or partial replacement for conventional plant oils in creams, lotions, serums, and other emollient‑based products.
Algolein TG C18/80 is produced through precision fermentation, yielding a composition that is consistent and reproducible across batches, with over 80% oleic acid (C18) and the presence of ergosterol, a naturally occurring sterol not commonly found in traditional vegetable oils.
This distinctive triglyceride profile is intended to support innovative skin‑care applications, particularly where long‑lasting emolliency and barrier‑like properties are desired.
From a technical standpoint, the ingredient is promoted for its exceptional oxidative stability, which reduces rancidity concerns often associated with natural oils and can help extend product shelf life.
Algolein TG C18/80 also has a neutral odour and colour, meaning it does not interfere with the olfactory or visual profile of finished formulations, and it provides a rich, silky skin‑feel suitable for premium‑tier products.
The production process is free of phytosanitary inputs such as pesticides and agricultural chemicals, aligning with a natural, clean‑beauty, and sustainability‑driven positioning by ensuring the absence of pesticide residues and other field‑derived contaminants.
By relying on fermentative microalgae rather than land‑based oil crops, the collaboration aims to reduce pressure on arable land and avoid the environmental trade‑offs linked to large‑scale vegetable‑oil agriculture, which is increasingly scrutinized in Europe.
The collaboration officially launched at Cosmet’Agora in Paris, where La Fabrique Végétale began showcasing prototypes and engaging directly with brands and distributors.
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