SIRIM ACCELERATES MALAYSIA'S COSMETICS INNOVATION WITH MARKET-READY RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH

SHAH ALAM, April 30 (Bernama) -- SIRIM Bhd has unveiled five cosmetic innovations ready for market adoption, each with complete intellectual property (IP) protection, for interested industry players.

The products, which are available for immediate licensing through SIRIM’s flexible commercialisation programmes, include nephelium lappaceum (rambutan) extract, postbiotic pineapple biomass microbiome-friendly extract, kenaf seed oil, roselle extract, and biodegradable microbeads.

SIRIM Industrial Research chief technology officer Dr Muhammad Izzal Ismail said the cosmetic innovations were developed through the SIRIM Life Sciences Centre and provide comprehensive support to licensees, including technical expertise, product development resources, and market readiness guidance.

“As Malaysia’s leading industrial research and technology organisation, SIRIM has been at the forefront of advancing science and technology to support businesses, industries, and national development. 

“Innovations must go beyond the laboratory and translate into real-world applications that generate economic impact. Commercialisation plays a crucial role in this journey, bridging the gap between research and market-ready solutions,” he said during his opening remarks at the Business Linkages: Unlock New Horizons in Commercialisation event here today. 

Muhammad Izzal also said the skincare market in Malaysia is projected to generate a revenue of approximately US$938.17 million (US$1 = RM4.32) this year, with the market segment expected to experience an annual growth rate of 3.55 per cent from 2025 to 2030.

He added that SIRIM is providing the local cosmetics industry player with the essential tools for upscaling their businesses, which, in turn, would strengthen Malaysia’s global position in the segment. 

“The global skincare products market was valued at US$151.8 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow from US$156.4 billion in 2024 to US$231.6 billion in 2032 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of five per cent,” he said.

Muhammad Izzal said beyond electronic testing, SIRIM is also taking the leap to bridge the gap between research and the domestic cosmetics industry in hopes of elevating the segment to greater heights via services provided by the research entity in terms of product testing.

“Many people are unaware that SIRIM also provides services for cosmetic product manufacturers, such as allergen testing, chemical analysis, microbial testing, heavy metal testing, irritation, and sensitisation tests. We offer all of these to help develop safe and effective standardised extracts.

“Local companies often send their products abroad for testing, which can involve long incubation periods and higher costs. In fact, they can simply come to SIRIM and submit their products for testing with us,” he said.

Held at SIRIM headquarters, the Business Linkages: Unlock New Horizons in Commercialisation event brought together major cosmetics brands, mid-sized companies and startups to explore immediate commercialisation opportunities for advanced biotechnologies developed by SIRIM researchers. 

The event marked a significant milestone in SIRIM’s mission to accelerate the commercialisation of homegrown research by connecting researchers directly with industry partners, creating pathways for Malaysian businesses to develop innovative cosmetic solutions that meet evolving global consumer demands for sustainable and science-backed products.

-- BERNAMA