DAICEL CORPORATION (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Yoshimi Ogawa) have launched a new product, “BS7", of “BELLOCEA®”, cellulose acetate spherical particles that is environmentally friendly and gives a soft feel. “BELLOCEA® BS7” has the potential to replace( or substitute ) microplastic beads(hereinafter referred to as microbeads) used in cosmetics. We have succeeded in increasing biodegradability even further than our previous product line.


■What are cellulose acetate spherical particles "BELLOCEA®"?

BELLOCEA® is a spherical substitute for microbeads for cosmetics, made by processing cellulose acetate, our long-standing main product, using our own technology.
Cellulose acetate is an environmentally friendly material made from acetic acid and plant-derived cellulose. It has been confirmed to biodegrade not only in soil and compost (among waste), but also in marine environments.
Due to environmental concerns about microbeads contained in cosmetics, there is growing interest in natural, biodegradable alternative materials. European Union (EU) has announced restrictions to completely ban the sale of cosmetics that contain microbeads by 2035, and global cosmetics manufacturers are leading the way in replacing microbeads with alternative ingredients.
Daicel have developed BELLOCEA® in response to these market needs.

■Features of ”BELLOCEA® BS7”

It is considered difficult to develop texture-improving agents used in foundations and other products that have both a soft texture comparable to microbeads and are biodegradable. Our BELLOCEA® BS7 is highly biodegradable, conforming to European biodegradation tests, and has a smooth surface and spherical shape, giving it a delicate and soft texture comparable to microbeads.

■Future outlook

We aim to expand sales of BELLOCEA® BS7 in the cosmetics microbead alternative particle market, which is expected to grow at an average annual rate of over 10%*, starting in Europe.
We will continue to promote sustainable manufacturing using our technology, contributing to the "beauty and health" of everyone around the world and the planet.
※*Fuji Chimera Research Institute, Inc. "Current status and future outlook for the fine powder market in 2023"

■Product Overview of “BELLOCEA® BS7”

Product name	BELLOCEA® BS7
INCI	Cellulose Acetate
Name of ingredient labeling for cosmetics	Cellulose Acetate
Name of Japanese Standards of Quasi-drug Ingredients	Cellulose acetate powder
Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China（IECIC）	乙酸纤维素
Biodegradation（OECD　TG301F）	60%/28day Pass
SEM （Scanning Electron Microscope）

■Contact Information
Daicel Corporation
JR Shinagawa East Building, 2-18-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8230, Japan
Healthcare SBU
TEL: 03-6711-8213;
E-mail: healthcare_info@jp.daicel.com