A new way of understanding beauty
By Andrea Begnini
The Italian cosmetics industry is undergoing a moment of profound transformation, with a growing focus on sustainable and innovative practices. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they use, seeking solutions that combine effectiveness and respect for the planet. This change has given rise to numerous business initiatives that focus on sustainability and the circular economy. On this terrain moves Kymia, a Sicilian company that has made innovation and the enhancement of local resources its mission.
Kymia, whose name is connected to the term “alchemy,” or the art of turning base metals into gold, converts a waste into a valuable resource by turning what remains of pistachios, a prized ingredient of Sicilian culinary tradition, into high-quality cosmetic products. An approach that combines respect for the environment and attention to the needs of modern consumers, who are increasingly looking for sustainable and effective products.
Environment and self-care: sustainable solutions from Italian cosmetics
In recent years, the issue of food waste has become increasingly important globally. It is estimated that about a third of the food produced annually is wasted, with serious consequences not only economic but also environmental, as food production is a major cause of natural resource exploitation and greenhouse gas emissions. Growing awareness of these issues has spurred the emergence of startups and companies working to reduce food waste through innovative solutions, turning what would be discarded into new products.
The cosmetics industry has also seized this opportunity, finding in food waste a valuable resource for the production of natural and sustainable ingredients. According to data provided by the Cosmetica Italia Study Center, the Italian cosmetics industry reached a turnover of more than 15.1 billion euros in 2023, a 13.8 percent growth over the previous year. This increase, which is expected to grow further in 2024, is symptomatic of an ever-expanding market that seeks to respond to the growing demand for natural and environmentally friendly products. Kymia fits perfectly into this context, making the most of pistachio waste to create innovative cosmetics that can bring together environment and self-care.
Sicilian green gold and its value for cosmetics
Kymia was created with the aim of transforming one of Sicily’s most representative products, the Bronte PDO pistachio, into a resource for beauty and well-being. This fruit, known as Sicily’s “green gold,” is celebrated worldwide for its extraordinary quality and its use in numerous culinary specialties. But pistachio is not only a prized ingredient in gastronomy: the founders of Kymia have identified the hull, the shell that covers the pistachio shell, as a valuable source for cosmetics.
Its foundation is the result of a journey of passion and entrepreneurship. Whose intuition dates back to 2019 when Dr. Arianna Campione and Anna Cacopardo, an expert in marketing and entrepreneurial strategies, decided to combine their skills to enhance the Bronte pistachio in an innovative way. They were joined by Stefano Alberto Paganini, project manager, completing the founding team. Their project is based on the belief that even what is considered waste can be transformed into a valuable resource. Pistachio, with its strong link to the Sicilian land, thus becomes a symbol of sustainability and innovation.
The sustainable extraction process
Kymia’s production process is an example of how technological innovation can meet tradition and sustainability. Pistachio husk, which accounts for between 35 percent and 45 percent of the waste from processing the fruit, was traditionally considered a worthless waste, often destined for incineration. However, thanks to scientific studies and innovative research, it has been discovered that this waste contains valuable compounds with strong antioxidant power, useful for the creation of natural and highly effective cosmetics.
Kymia has patented an active ingredient called Pistactive-f®, derived precisely from the husk of the pistachio through a process of hyperfermentation. This method makes it possible to extract two liters of active ingredient for every kilogram of waste, thus ensuring not only high product quality, but also a significant contribution to waste reduction and the circular economy. Pistactive-f® has been recognized for its high antioxidant capacity, making it a key ingredient for cosmetic products designed to combat skin aging and promote cell regeneration.
In addition to anti-aging products, active ingredient development can also come into use in the production of food supplements for maintaining physical well-being as well as in Food&Beverage in the preparation of food preservatives and functional beverages.
Kymia’s e-commerce platform and partnerships
In addition to the production of innovative cosmetics, Kymia is engaged in numerous activities that make it a virtuous example of sustainable entrepreneurship. Since its inception, the reality has participated in numerous events and competitions, receiving important awards for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. In 2021, Kymia won the Start Cup Sicilia, an event that helped give visibility to the project and foster the team’s expansion. Among its activities, Kymia aims to launch an e-commerce platform that will allow it to reach an even wider audience, promoting its products on a national and international scale.
In addition to development, Kymia collaborates with universities and research centers to implement new technologies and applications in the field of sustainable cosmetics. This commitment to innovation translates not only into the creation of new products, but also into the dissemination of a corporate culture oriented toward sustainability and the circular economy. Kymia, in fact, not only produces cosmetics, but actively promotes awareness of issues related to environmental sustainability and the enhancement of the Sicilian territory.
