Estonian biotechnology company ÄIO has entered Brazil through an exclusive distribution partnership with Focus Química, giving Brazilian formulators local access to its fermentation-derived cosmetic ingredients.
ÄIO announced the partnership in its company release, with Brazilian trade publication Cosmetic Innovation also reporting on the agreement. The partnership will make ÄIO’s three commercially available cosmetic ingredients available to Brazilian brands, manufacturers and formulation teams.
Partnership brings ingredients closer to Brazilian formulators
Focus Química will serve as ÄIO’s exclusive distributor for cosmetic ingredients in Brazil. The Brazilian company has 17 years of experience in the cosmetics sector, combining ingredient distribution with technical support, market intelligence and collaboration with manufacturers on new formulations, according to Cosmetic Innovation.
Following the official launch, the partners plan to begin new development projects with local manufacturers. The arrangement is intended to give Brazilian formulators access not only to the ingredients, but also to samples, technical information and application support as they test the materials in new products.
“Brazil is an extremely relevant market for cosmetics, with great innovation capacity and strong sensitivity to issues such as the origin of raw materials, traceability and environmental impact,” said Dr. Nemailla Bonturi, CEO and co-founder of ÄIO.
Three ingredients target different formulation needs
The portfolio entering Brazil includes Fermira™ RedOil, ZymaLipid Complex and Encapsulated oil. All three ingredients are COSMOS and Vegan certified and are designed for different formulation functions, including emollience, skin-barrier support, structure, stability, sensory properties and antioxidant benefits.
- Fermira™ RedOil is an active emollient with naturally occurring carotenoids and other bioactive compounds.
- ZymaLipid Complex is a high-purity fatty-acid complex developed for structure, emollience, stability and sensory performance.
- Encapsulated oil provides a lipid-rich yeast biomass in powder form for use in multifunctional formulations.
The ingredients can be used in applications ranging from skincare and haircare to colour cosmetics and other personal-care products. ÄIO says the materials are intended to offer formulators alternatives to conventional oils while maintaining the performance and sensory qualities expected in finished products.
Brazilian roots, Estonian scale-up
The partnership also brings ÄIO’s technology back to the country where part of its scientific story began. Bonturi was born in São Paulo and studied Biotechnology at UNESP before completing a master’s degree and doctorate in Chemical Engineering at UNICAMP. She moved to Estonia in 2016 to continue her scientific career and worked with Professor Petri-Jaan Lahtvee to develop the technology that later became ÄIO.
The two scientists founded ÄIO in 2022 to take fermentation-derived fats and oils from research towards industrial applications. The company’s technology uses oleaginous yeast in a bioreactor to produce lipids and other compounds. After fermentation, the biomass is collected and dried, and the lipids are extracted for use in cosmetic ingredients.
ÄIO says Brazilian scientists and engineers are also represented across its research and development, bioinformatics and pilot-scale operations in Estonia. The company’s commercial launch in Brazil therefore marks both a new market entry and the return of an Estonian-developed technology to a market connected to its scientific origins.
Launch planned for São Paulo
ÄIO and Focus Química will officially present the partnership at in-cosmetics Latin America in São Paulo on 23–24 September 2026. Visitors can meet Focus Química at booth F30 to learn about ÄIO’s ingredients and discuss formulation and development projects.
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