Cream of the crop

A business development director took his own advice – and started a new company after he had a “light bulb” moment that could revolutionise the way cosmetic creams are made.

Dr Mike Anderson’s flash of inspiration has led him to patent a new way of mixing oil and water - knocking hours off traditional methods.

Dr Anderson had worked in the cosmetic industry for ICI before moving to Tees Valley’s Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) where he spent time encouraging people with great ideas and helping them to identify the best options for new business development.

While working for CPI, Dr Anderson heard all about “process intensification” which uses new methods to create products more quickly, with less waste and in a more efficient way.

Soon he was wondering if this new technology could be employed to make the type of cosmetics – such as suntan creams and moisturisers - he’d worked with in his previous job.