3D Printed Make Up Technology Wins Innovation Award | 3D Printing Progress

The Cosmetic Valley-Essec endowment fund was set up in 2013 to promote French research and to take part in developing employment in the perfume and cosmetics field, with the aim of showcasing the reputation of French cosmetics and the “Made in France” label.

That is why the Endowment Fund authorised the establishment of an annual international competition for young researchers, academics, university students and those from France’s prestigious higher education institutes, as well as people in charge of innovative projects (from start-ups and SMEs) in the perfume and cosmetics field. For more information see the IDTechEx report on 3D Printed Materials Market 2020-2030: COVID Edition.

The first edition of the competition was launched in 2015 with the name “The Cosmetic Victories”. The winners of the 5th edition of have now been revealed.

The Industry Prize for the best cosmetic innovation of the year was awarded to ColorForge, a US-based start-up that has developed a custom manufacturing and packaging system for make-up products. ColorForge has developed a revolutionary 3D printer that can produce hundreds of unique color cosmetics in a single print batch in less than 5 hours. Currently a full print batch takes about 32 hours.

Advantages of the system are:

John LaHood – President of ColorForge, USA says “ColorForge Custom Cosmetics is a sustainable additive manufacturing process. It is the first patented 3D printing process that manufactures custom color cosmetics and product casing simultaneously, sustainably and with scale. No minimums or waste. This technology also makes it possible to manufacture powder-based beauty products in a variety of product categories and in various shapes and sizes. The ColorForge manufacturing process delivers a virtually limitless range of vibrant colours, as well as the option of customising the product and creating unique patterns and gradients.”