Entrepreneurship
Commercial applications and business development
Overview
In the natural cosmetics industry, skincare products typically include natural extracts or selected synthetic compounds that enhance stability, safety, and efficacy. However, these companies face the challenges of maintaining robust supply chains and meeting expectations of environmental protection. Furthermore, natural ingredients rely heavily on natural resources that could cause deforestation and land loss, while chemical synthesis products could be irritating to the skin. Therefore, it inspired us to think about whether there is a way to develop a skincare product that is eco-friendly and gentle.
Our Vision, Mission & Goal
Our Mission
Develop skincare products to address concerns such as inflammatory acne in an eco-friendly way.
Our Vision
Combining GPP synthases from diverse sources with the eudesmol synthase HYP3 to enhance eucalyptol yield in the engineered yeast.
Our Goal
We hope to build up a brand that is environmentally focused in the cosmetic industry. Essentially, we hope to grow into a company that is known for sustainable development and skincare.
Unmet Needs
Nowadays, the global natural cosmetic market is experiencing healthy growth, largely driven by consumer concern over chemical content in cosmetic products and potential effects on skin health. Yet, this trend masks a critical challenge: the industry's reliance on natural extraction often leads to severe environmental costs. The method of using natural extraction not only has low yields but also requires vast land use, leading to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and significant carbon footprints.
Case Study: Bisabolol
Take Bisabolol, as an example – one of the cosmetic industry's most effective ingredients for anti-redness and soothing properties – has been used in a variety of applications. However, extracting 1kg of this natural ingredient would cause around 1–3 trees to be cut down, each of which takes 10–15 years to grow and reach maturity.
Reference: Polowyj, 2025
Consequently, the extractive model is not robust for sustainable development. The unmet need in today's cosmetic market is for eco-friendly, sustainable, and effective alternatives that deliver skin benefits without depleting natural resources.
The Solution
Biosynthetic Eucalyptol
Biosynthetic eucalyptol is manufactured through sustainable biotechnology using yeast and will be applied in skin care products such as lotions and face creams.
Target Action
Precisely addresses skin blemishes, excessive sebum secretion, and acne bacteria.
Skin Benefits
Targets oily and acne-prone skin by balancing microecology.
Sustainability
Lower manufacturing costs and minimal environmental impact.
Skills, Capabilities, and Stakeholders
Our Team Advantage
Most of our team members are from the same school, which potentially enhanced our communication efficiency. Considering our identity as high-school students, we agree that finding effective acne skincare products for specific indications is a tricky task. But also being high-school students, we are able to play a role as insiders of acne product users and pinpoint our pain points. In addition, it is convenient to access a school survey that corresponds with the age range of the target customers. Supported by BGI-lab, we can conduct experiments to test the feasibility of our proposed solution, as well as resources to communicate with the BGI skincare product manager.
Stakeholders
A stakeholder matrix based on the relevance and our access to the stakeholders. Select from Industry & Business category, we interviewed with the responsible person for product R&D of BGI skincare, and the sales manager.
Eucaplyn Stakeholder Matrix
Industry & Business
Regulation & Associations
Consumers
Risks & Competitors
External Supporters
Interview
Interviewees
Mrs. Ye and Mr. Zhao
Key Questions
Insights
Safety
- Safety evaluation, including microbial testing and heavy metal detection.
- Since the products are on the truck during the selling process (In Eucaplyn 5-year projection Timeline 2028-2029), the temperature can easily reach 40-50 degrees in summer. Conduct stability tests to ensure that the product's activity has no safety issues.
- After selecting eco-friendly packaging materials, a 1-2 month observation period is needed for stability testing to ensure the compatibility between the packaging and the product.
- Acne treatment products are best to have control experiments, but absolutely cannot be tested on people under 15 years old.
Core Concept
Because the core concept of Eucaplyn is under Environmental Protection category, everything that is perceivable in the product should be eco-friendly. Packaging, outer packaging design, and even glass bottles can be recycled. The secondary use of makeup boxes prioritizes environmental protection.
Market Strategy
Mrs. Ye pointed out that few companies make use of eucalyptol as an anti-acne product in the skincare market. This is because eucalyptol is usually treated as an independent antibiotic and anti-inflammatory product. If we can apply eucalyptol successfully in the product and verify for efficacy and safety, there is a big chance to differentiate ourselves in the market.
Potential Customers
Having consulted with the Marketing Manager for Skincare Products and considered Eucaplyn's product feature, our team managed to pinpoint core potential customers with specific indications:
User Analysis
In the questionnaire our team conducted at the 9th iGEM Southern China Regional meeting, more than 73.42% of people are interested in the function of oil control and acne removal.
See more information about the 9th iGEM Southern China Regional Meeting in Integrated Human Practice..
Market Analysis
By analyzing the Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM), and Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM), we can better focus on our target market and set plans for Eucaplyn to flourish.
TAM - Total Addressable Market
Global Natural Cosmetic Market
The total accessible market (TAM) for our product is the global natural cosmetic market. This is the total potential market for a product or service.
Source: Future Market Insights
SAM - Serviceable Available Market
Global Natural Skin Care Products Market
The serviceable addressable market (SAM) for our product is the global natural skin care products market. SAM represents the reasonable target market within TAM.
Source: Grand View Research
SOM - Serviceable Obtainable Market
China's Anti-Acne Cosmetics Market
The serviceable obtainable market (SOM) for our product is China's anti-acne cosmetics market. SOM represents the market that can be realistically captured with current capabilities.
Source: Grand View Research
Feasibility, Scalability, and Investiveness
Promising Market
Figure: China Anti-acne Cosmetics Market Size from Grand View Research
Anti-acne products are particularly popular in the Chinese Market. The promising development of this market gives great opportunities for Eucaplyn to grow.
The two largest shares of the market — creams and lotions, and cleaners & toners — are our target feature forms.
Key players, such as Zhejiang Fonow Medicine Co., Ltd., Galderma, Bloomage Biotechnology, and L'Oréal Group, primarily focus on product innovation. For Eucaplyn, it will stand out and earn profit by creating a reputation for conveying the core value of high-tech, eco-friendly products (such as the advancement of biotechnology, the social significance of environmental concepts, and the uniqueness of ingredient efficacy) in the marketing aspect.
Key Players
Bloomage Biotechnology
Galderma
Zhejiang Fonow Medicine Co., Ltd.
L'Oréal Group
Eucaplyn's Competitive Advantage
Advancement of biotechnology
Social significance of environmental concepts
Uniqueness of ingredient efficacy
Scalability
Eucaplyn is a company dedicated in developing eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective skincare products. Compared to the current market, most of which are naturally extracted or chemically synthesized, the synthetic biology approach Eucaplyn chooses enables it to differentiate itself through technology innovation, which also brings the advantages of low raw material cost and high yields of production.
The detailed information is in the section Resources and Budgeting of the Business Plan.
Future Potential
Innovative Technology
Eucaplyn distinguishes itself as a pioneer in implementing an eco-friendly production method in the conventional cosmetic industry. The synthesis of eucalyptol leverages a metabolite that naturally exists in yeast. By combining Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 with geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) synthases from diverse sources and piperonyl acetone synthase HYP3, we have successfully increased the production of eucalyptol in engineered yeast.
Looking ahead, biosynthetic eucalyptol, with its advantages of cost-effectiveness, high yield, and eco-friendliness, lays a solid foundation for Eucaplyn to become a member with development potential in the field of skin care products. At the same time, it highlights the social significance of environmental concepts.
Biosynthetic cosmetic products have the potential to develop into an important direction for the combination of technological advancement and sustainable development in the future cosmetic industry, and Eucaplyn's innovative method and sustainable notion highlight its high investiveness and uniqueness in the market.
SWOT Analysis
Eucaplyn utilizes SWOT analysis in order to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to situate its position comprehensively.
Strengths
In the current market, eucalyptol is mostly sold as an independent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory product, which has not been widely incorporated into conventional skincare products such as creams and facial masks. This means Eucaplyn has a differentiable selling point. As mentioned above, the innovative approach of producing eucalyptol is also one of our core strengths.
Weaknesses
Customers with different skin types might misuse the product for treatment, which could negatively affect our customer ratings. Additionally, low public acceptance (if it is the case) of new technologies will limit Eucaplyn's development.
Opportunities
Eucaplyn aims to develop a sustainable and eco-friendly cosmetic brand for solving inflammatory acne. With higher awareness of sustainable development and environmental protection, Eucaplyn can attract more customers within the market.
Threats
For high-technology skincare products, regulatory authorities lack sufficient assessment experience and historical data. In the Chinese cosmetic industry, our final product is required to undergo 7 toxicology tests to evaluate its potential risks.
Business Plan
After considering Eucaplyn's advantages and limitations, a development plan for the brand is an orientative guidance for the brand's further development. Canva Strategic Analysis Board encapsulates our value propositions, detailing customer segments, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key resources, key activities, key partnerships, and cost structure.
Canva Strategic Analysis
Figure 6. Eucaplyn's Canva Strategic Analysis Board
3-Year Milestone
A clear three-year milestone is the foundation for the steady development of Eucaplyn in its later stages. In three years, our team needs to complete the following tasks:
5-Year Timeline
The chart below shows a more specific development timeline for Eucaplyn. During the 5 years, we break milestones into several tasks.
Figure 7. Eucaplyn 5-year projection timeline
Marketing Strategy
Preparation: Value Foundation and Trust Building
Make a biosynthetic method to produce eucalyptol videos (such as short videos, pictures, and texts, white book) to amplify the advantages of this technology method. This includes eco-friendly production methods, reducing chemical pollution in conventional industries. Through self-media promotion, we prioritize personal IP. Gradually, we shift to releasing information through industry media, beauty science key opinion leaders (KOLs), brand official websites, and other channels to establish a brand perception of technological leadership.
Collaborate with environmental organizations or industry associations to publish the Green Synthetic Technology White Paper for the Cosmetic Industry on the brand's official website.
Enhancing Trust
Carry out phased safety testing. We will record the testing process in the form of a "transparent lab," for example, by updating experimental vlogs and selected test reports in real time on brand social accounts.
Example: conduct microbial testing at the cellular level, heavy metal/hormone testing, accelerated stability studies, animal experiments, human patch tests, etc.
Entrust a third-party authoritative testing institution (such as SGS, BGI group) to conduct a comparison between eucalyptol and currently popular skincare products on the market.
Segmented Marketing for Crowds
Targeting Environmentally Conscious Consumers
- Launch an activity where buying "1 bottle = donating 1 RMB" to environmental public welfare, collaborate with public welfare platforms to publicize the donation flow (such as for the construction of skincare packaging recycling system).
- Design limited edition eco-themed packaging (matching recyclable PET bottles, eco-friendly paper boxes), and promote prominently in Rednote or JD.com environmental product specialty areas.
Targeting People with Specific Indications
Conduct a "28-day Cinnamaldehyde Acne Repair Challenge" in collaboration with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in sensitive skin care, focusing on highlighting the contrast in acne treatment effects.
Targeting People Who Emphasize Product Components
Create a long graphic on "Cineole component breakdown". Compare the component structure, mechanism of action, and suitable skin types of cineole with salicylic acid and fruit acid, and post it on ingredient communities (such as Reddit, Zhihu Beauty section). This approach attracted professional customers.
Resources & Budgeting
The R&D budget is counted as one-time spending. The optimization stage is completed after 2-3 rounds, and then it enters the production phase. By gaining stable bacterial strains, the feed reagents needed for large-scale production are just industrial culture medium.
R&D Materials
Industrial Culture Medium in Bulk
Equipment
The budget for reagent consumables in one-time R&D is around 8,000 RMB. If there are multiple optimization rounds (usually estimated as 2-3 times), the price is around 16,000~24,000 RMB.
Marginal Raw Material Cost per Kilogram Produced
In the expansion production phase, we calculate the yield and fermentation rate of eucalyptol and obtain the raw culture medium material weight required to produce 1 kilogram of eucalyptol.
YPD Culture Medium (per 1L):
- Industrial yeast extract: 10g → 0.01 kg × 36 RMB/kg = 0.36 RMB
- Tryptone: 20g → 0.02 kg × 15 RMB/kg = 0.30 RMB
- Galactose: 20g → 0.02 kg × 3.8 RMB/kg = 0.076 RMB
- Water: 1L
Yield Calculation:
• Fermentation rate: 90% (of weight)
• Yield of eucalyptol: 72% (of weight)
• Dry matter = 10g + 20g + 20g = 50g/L medium
Eucalyptol yield = 50g × 0.9 × 0.72 = 32.4 g/L medium
Medium required for 1 kg = 1000g ÷ 32.4 ≈ 30.864 L
Total Raw Material Cost per Kilogram
Cost Apportionments
Given 10 weeks of optimization (2025/07/21 - 2025/09/29), we calculate the estimate of total cost in the R&D phase.
Total R&D Cost Summary
Financial Analysis
Cost allocation per kilogram of eucalyptol - Given the timeline of Eucaplyn's development, we estimate 3 scenarios for different scales of production.
As production scales up, the R&D apportionment cost decreases dramatically, making large-scale production highly cost-effective at 23.39 RMB/kg.
Exit Strategy
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
For Eucaplyn's exit strategy, our team primarily chose Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). This strategy allows another company to take over our brand while still granting us operational independence to continue developing. Our team chose this method because of the advantage at the stage of scaling up and accessing new distribution channels. This approach would ease fixed equipment costs and reduce the need for constant funding. More importantly, it allows us to focus more on cultivating loyal customers and building a reputation for eco-friendliness and sustainability. In this case, the M&A approach fittingly complements Eucaplyn's core advantage as a start-up company: having a unique technology – a revised production method to enhance eucalyptol yielding.
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Another valid exit strategy is an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The advantage of this method is that Eucaplyn can achieve one of our main goals: Grow into an eco-friendly and sustainable green technology skincare brand. In addition, it will be recognized both domestically and internationally and go public independently within 5-10 years. However, this method has high regulatory costs and public scrutiny. Without a powerful management department, Eucaplyn could face the risk of losing control over long-term operations.
Risk Analysis
Eucaplyn considered a few risks that might be involved in the five-year projection Timeline and provided solutions to the risks.
Figure 8. Potential risks and solutions
Positive Long-term Effects
Environmental
By replacing plant extraction with fermentation, the process greatly reduces pressure on forests and farmland. It also saves water and energy, lowering the carbon footprint across production. Over time, this promotes a more sustainable cosmetic supply chain.
Economical
Eucaplyn's approach provides stable yields and predictable costs, helping the company avoid fluctuations in raw material prices. As production scales up, efficiency improves and unit costs decrease. This creates a more resilient and cost-effective operation in the long run.
Product & Consumer Health
Different from conventional natural extraction, biosynthetic provides consistent ingredient purity and reliable performance in every batch, and the controlled process reduces contamination risks. Consumers benefit from safer, more stable skincare products with targeted effects.
Branding
Adopting green biotech strengthens the brand's image as innovative and environmentally responsible. Transparent testing and sustainability claims increase consumer trust. As time progresses, this builds a loyal customer base and attracts eco-conscious partners.
Social
The technology encourages wider adoption of sustainable biotechnology in the cosmetic field. In the long term, it can contribute to both scientific progress and social awareness of sustainability.
References
- Future Market Insights. (2024). Natural cosmetics market size, share, and forecast 2025–2035. Future Market Insights. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/natural-cosmetics-market
- Grand View Research. (2022). Natural Skin Care Products Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Mass, Premium), By Product (Facial Care, Body Care), By End-use (Men, Women), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030.
- Polowyj, R. (2025, July 6). These common 'natural beauty' ingredients are harming the planet. BBC Science Focus Magazine. Retrieved from the Science Focus website.
- Grand View Research. (2025). China Anti-acne Cosmetics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Treatment (Creams & Lotions, Cleanser & Toners, Laser And Light Therapies, Chemical Peel), By Gender, By Distribution Channel, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030.