Estonian biotechnology company ÄIO and natural skincare brand tilk! launched their first commercial product together: a serum made with bio-fermented oil derived from organic waste.
The Skin Booster Bio-Fermented Serum marks a shift for ÄIO from research to actual retail products. Founded in 2022 as a spinoff from Tallinn University of Technology, the company uses fermentation to produce oils and fats from upcycled side-streams rather than agricultural crops.
The key ingredient is RedOil, which ÄIO produces through fermentation of organic waste materials. The oil is rich in antioxidants, carotenoids, and essential fatty acids. According to the companies, it offers retinol-like benefits without the irritation.
“When we received the analytical results, it became clear that it delivers real, measurable benefits on the cellular level,” said Magdalena Koziol, head of cosmetics development at ÄIO. “This is not just about marketing claims, it is about science.”
tilk! handled formulation, combining RedOil with marine and plant-based actives. CEO Pille Lengi said what set ÄIO apart was the combination of scientific credibility and sustainability impact.
The launch comes as cosmetics companies face pressure to replace conventional oils with traceable, sustainable alternatives. ÄIO’s process reduces land use by up to 97% and water consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional production, according to the company.
The serum is now available on tilk!’s e-commerce site. ÄIO says it’s one of the first examples in the EU where fermentation-derived oils from waste streams have made it into a finished commercial cosmetic product.
“In just four years, we have built technology, scaled it, secured partnerships, and now we are bringing our ingredients into real products you can buy,” said Nemailla Bonturi, ÄIO’s co-founder and CEO.
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