The innovative Agrocos project to discover plant-derived substitutes for synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics and agriculture, coordinated by the University of Athens and involving the Greek natural cosmetics firm Korres, is now near completion. According to an announcement on September 11, it has identified some 30 molecules of potential interest to industry.

The Agrocos project involves six research centres and universities in France, Greece, Panama, Switzerland and South Africa, as well as companies such as Korres, BASF and Bruker Biospin; it is funded by the European Commission with €2.9 million.