De Monchy and PeelPioneers on a sustainable discovery journey

De Monchy and PeelPioneers on a Sustainable Discovery Journey. Who would have thought that orange peels could serve as raw material for mascara and scented candles? And perhaps for many more applications. But discovery happens only through experimentation and exploration. Therefore, De Monchy International has entered an exciting collaboration with PeelPioneers. Both companies have a strong focus on innovation and are taking concrete steps towards sustainability. This requires courage and a pioneering spirit.

Alessandra Burgers, Product Manager at De Monchy International, and Florence Span, Food Application Specialist at PeelPioneers, work closely together on developing and bringing to market the natural fiber found in orange peels. 'PeelPioneers is able to extract fibers from orange peels,' says Alessandra, 'and thanks to our knowledge and experience with raw materials in the processing industry, we can find customers for the products made with these fibers.' Florence explains what is so special about orange peels: 'We are experts in upcycling citrus peels. I specialize in citrus fiber, our main ingredient. Many people think you can't do anything with the peels. They are always discarded because they are too wet to burn and too acidic to ferment. That's why we started collecting orange peels about six years ago in almost all of the Netherlands. We discovered that the peel is very valuable and now extract orangeade, orange oil, d-limonene, and citrus fiber from it. And we continue to explore how we can extracteven more value from the peel, such as dye.'

While the collaboration may be an exciting journey of discovery, both companies are not embarking on an adventure randomly. It aligns perfectly with the strategy of De Monchy International, as Alessandra explains: 'Our partnership is built on shared values and vision. We want to contribute to a sustainable future and are fully committed to it. Erik Colstee, our Sustainable Product Manager, came across PeelPioneers in his search for suitable partners. The company is, after all, located in the same city where he lives. So, the contact was quickly established.' The attraction was mutual. 'We produce natural fibers but, in turn, can benefit from a strong distributor with an existing network,' Florence says. 'So when De Monchy International approached us, we were immediately enthusiastic.'

The collaboration currently involves two specific products: Finix Citrus Fiber and Orange Wax. 'We named the fiber Finix after the mythical Phoenix that rises from the ashes. We offer a discarded but high-quality fiber a new future,' explains Florence. 'Orange Wax is a raw wax that spreads a delightful orange scent at a low melting temperature and is therefore suitable for a scented candle.' Finix has already proven itself in the food industry, but 'Within the cosmetics industry, we see opportunities because this industry invests a lot of time and money in replacing petroleum-based ingredients with natural ingredients,' says Alessandra. 'Consumers are becoming more aware of what they consume and apply to their skin. That's why this is the perfect moment for us to introduce the Finix citrus fiber.'

With full energy, De Monchy International and PeelPioneers went to a laboratory in Milan in January 2023, specializing in cosmetics. Three products were developed here, with which Alessandra and Florence made a flying start at the In-Cosmetics Global fair in Barcelona. Visitors could touch, smell, and use the products themselves. 'Our story resonated with people enormously, and there was a lot of enthusiasm for the products,' says Florence. According to Alessandra, 'Our customers are eager to test our Finix in their formulations. The initial feedback is positive. We see that you get a beautiful cream that feels soft and airy when you create an emulsion from it.'