Rapid-cure bio-composite adhesive for cosmetic applications
Zentraxa Ltd is developing a rapid-cure bio-composite adhesive derived from marine mollusc adhesives, offering strong, biocompatible bonding for cosmetic applications on hair, nails, and skin. The adhesive is bio-based, cures quickly, and is effective on various surfaces.
Overview
Zentraxa Ltd is pioneering the development of a novel bio-composite adhesive designed for the cosmetic industry. This rapid-cure adhesive is inspired by naturally occurring adhesives found in marine molluscs, making it biocompatible and environmentally friendly. It is specifically formulated to promote adhesion to keratin (found in hair and nails) and skin, with applications in cosmetic products like false nail adhesives. The adhesive's ability to bond effectively under various conditions, including wet surfaces, makes it a versatile solution for beauty products.
Technical specifications
Key features include:
- Bio-based and biocompatible: Safe for use on skin and keratin-based surfaces.
- Rapid curing: Achieves full strength in less than 3 minutes.
- Strong bonding: Delivers bond strengths greater than 1MPa.
- Versatile bonding: Effective on a variety of plastics and natural surfaces.
- Durable under challenging conditions: Bond lasts over 1 week in sub-sea environments, with potential for 2 weeks.
- Scalable production: Manufacturing process is designed to be green science-compliant and scalable to commercial volumes.
- Easy removal: Demonstrated debonding strategies for straightforward removal.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in laboratory settings. The next stages involve comprehensive performance and suitability testing, including biocompatibility assays and longitudinal performance assessments, to further advance its readiness for commercial use.
About Zentraxa Ltd
Zentraxa Limited is an engineering biology company that develops nature-inspired, highly-functional bio-adhesives. At the core of the company is its proprietary Zentide platform, which leverages synthetic biology to create scalable peptides designed for specific adhesive functions. These materials are engineered to be industrially robust, allowing for simple integration into existing manufacturing processes. By taking inspiration from marine mussels and other natural systems, Zentraxa creates products that perform effectively in challenging conditions, including wet, high-friction, and submerged environments. The company focuses on developing sustainable, high-performance alternatives to conventional chemical adhesives, with specific applications in sectors such as personal care, advanced wound care, medical wearables, transport, and structural industrial settings. Zentraxa collaborates with industry partners to integrate these ingredients into bespoke solutions, aiming to address problems related to durability, pain-free medical dressing removal, and material performance in extreme conditions. The technology also offers capabilities for de-bondable adhesives in optics and security, as well as functional ingredients for strengthening and protecting hair in personal care applications.
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