Cosmetics

STRONG CAPABILITY

ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES
DEDICATED PARTNERS

Bretagne, a leader in marine cosmetics

We have built an innovative and buoyant economy around the cosmetics industry, drawing on our long-standing experience in sustainably exploiting natural resources.

The benefits of the ocean to our wellbeing

With its 2,470 km of coastline facing the Atlantic and the Channel, its unrivalled seaweed resources and marine protected areas, our region possesses first-class marine resources along with a network of scientific skills including historic marine biology research centers. The result lives up to expectations: a strong biotech economy that puts Bretagne center-stage nationally in the marine cosmetics sector.

The cosmetics industry in Bretagne: key businesses and organizations

• 6000 jobs across the region and €1.8bn in sales*
• over 150 businesses and 1 market leader: Yves Rocher
• industry support organizations: CBB Capbiotek, COSMED
• a region in pole position for active marine ingredients and marine cosmetics
• 40 businesses in the marine and cosmetics biotech sector
• 1 innovation cluster with international scope: Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique
• 3 technology transfer and technical centers: CBB Capbiotek, ID2Santé and CEVA
• A vibrant network of technology platforms, Biogenouest, and the platforms Prodiabio and Biodimar
• Reputed research centers and organizations: Marine biological stations, CNRS, Ifremer, INSERM, CHU, universities and grandes écoles
• Advanced courses in cosmetics (UCO, UBS…) and/or in marine biotechnology (UBS, UBO, maritime colleges…)
• 1 event unique in Europe on cosmetic ingredients and biotechnology: COSM’ING

Source: CBB Capbiotek study, 2014

Mapping of the cosmetics sector in Brittany

📖 Discover the latest newsletter “They innovate in cosmetics in Bretagne” (October 2023)

📖 Download the brochure about the cosmetics sector in Bretagne (2021)