Expanscience opens new raw material processing site in Peru

The Expanscience Group inaugurated its second botanical raw material processing plant in Peru on June 4. With this new plant, which is dedicated to the production of avocado oil, passionflower oil and maca extract, Expanscience aims to strengthen its control over its value chain, in particular in order to better address the social and environmental challenges specific to botanical raw materials.

Thanks to the optimization and modernization of production processes, the new plant significantly reduces the gas consumption required for drying the fruit, while improving working conditions for employees.

Expanscience uses a variety of botanical ingredients, especially avocado derivatives, to develop its cosmetic active ingredients as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Avocado is used in seven of the company's cosmetic active ingredients, 

as well as in its osteoarthritis treatment Piasclédine 300 and in several Mustela dermocosmetic products. To ensure supply, the group has strengthened its presence in Peru in recent years, notably with the acquisition of Deshidratados Tropicales in Lima in 2016. The company, which has been managed by Sébastien Debrock since the acquisition, has 55 employees and processes botanical raw materials from more than 500 local producers.

"We build local relationships and win-win partnerships with local producers. This commitment allows us to reduce our impact while stimulating the local economy," emphasizes Sébastien Debrock, Managing Director of Deshidratados Tropicales.

In pursuit of sustainable development, Expanscience and Deshidratados Tropicales encourage the purchase of sorted avocados, which reduces waste while ensuring a source of income for small producers. Their botanical conversion process allows 100% recycling of avocado fruit.

In the spirit of continuous improvement and reduction of environmental impact, Expanscience is currently conducting a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) study on avocado cultivation in Peru in collaboration with the Catholic University of Lima.