Finnish biotech ÄIO has announced that its three fermentation-derived cosmetic ingredients, RedOil, ZymaLipid Complex and Encapsulated oil, have received both The Vegan Society's Vegan Trademark certification and COSMOS certification from Cosmécert.
It said in a statement that the certifications position the company's portfolio for broader uptake across certified sustainable formulation pipelines, adding that the dual certification milestone reflects growing commercial demand for ingredients that combine performance credentials with independently verified ethical and environmental standards.
The COSMOS certification, one of the leading international frameworks for natural and sustainable cosmetics, evaluates raw materials across origin and traceability, processing methods, environmental impact, ingredient composition and labelling compliance.
For brands and formulators, COSMOS-certified raw materials can be integrated directly into compliant finished product formulations, reducing development complexity and strengthening sustainability positioning.
The Vegan Trademark, managed by The Vegan Society, confirms that no animal-derived materials are present in the ingredient supply chain.
ÄIO said that this claim carried particular weight, as the company's ingredients are produced through proprietary yeast fermentation using low-value side-streams from the wood and agricultural industries.
Thus, the process requires no animal-derived feedstocks, making vegan status a natural outcome of the company's underlying production technology rather than a reformulation.
ÄIO's three certified ingredients address distinct formulation needs. RedOil is a carotenoid-rich antioxidant oil naturally containing fatty acids, polyphenols, sterols and carotenoids, developed as a traceable alternative to conventional botanical oils for applications including hydration and skin barrier support.
ZymaLipid Complex is a high-purity fatty acid complex that offers structure and skin feel, with a European-origin supply chain.
Encapsulated oil is a multifunctional lipid powder combining lipids, proteins, glucans and antioxidants, with a powder format designed to improve stability and handling across both cosmetic and food applications — broadening its relevance for manufacturers operating across personal care and functional product categories.
The certifications also arrive alongside a commercial milestone: in April, ÄIO partnered with Estonian natural cosmetics brand tilk! to launch a market-ready skincare product powered by RedOil, marking the ingredient's first appearance in a consumer product.
For an ingredient company that has built its fermentation process as a scalable, climate-independent alternative to agricultural oil production, the move from laboratory innovation to a certified, commercially available ingredient is significant for ÄIO.
Fermentation-derived ingredients are gaining traction across both the cosmetics and functional ingredients sectors as brands face pressure to demonstrate supply chain transparency without compromising on performance.
With COSMOS and vegan certification now in place, ÄIO's portfolio enters a growing segment where regulatory credibility, ethical sourcing and biotech-driven innovation are increasingly required.