What if we could grow plants in bioreactors instead of fields, eliminating the need for farmland and protecting natural ecosystems? That’s the groundbreaking vision of Alternative Plants, a company at the forefront of plant cell cultivation technology. By growing plant cells instead of entire plants, they’re reshaping how we source natural ingredients for cosmetics—and doing so sustainably.
The core idea behind Alternative Plants is to not use plants harvested in the wild or farmed, but to grow the plant cells. This allows us to produce precious bioactive molecules that would be very difficult to get from nature.” Anna Ramata-Stunda, CEO of Alternative Plants
In nature, plants produce bioactive molecules—compounds with beneficial effects—in response to stress, such as UV exposure or microbial attacks. However, these molecules are typically produced in very low quantities, making them challenging and resource-intensive to extract. Alternative Plants has found a way to cultivate these molecules efficiently and at scale using bioreactors. By optimizing the conditions under which plant cells grow, they can significantly boost the production of these valuable compounds.
The company’s main focus is on plant secondary metabolites. These are substances plants produce to survive harsh environmental conditions. Unlike animals or bacteria, plants can’t escape stressors, so they’ve evolved to synthesize a wide array of protective molecules. These same molecules can be harnessed for their bioactive properties, offering benefits for skincare and other applications.
Alternative Plants doesn't focus solely on production of single molecules. Instead, they’ve developed methods to extract combinations of bioactive compounds, leveraging their synergistic effects.
“What we’ve observed, and what’s supported by scientific literature, is that a combination of molecules often works better than a single pure compound. Our process involves establishing cell lines, optimizing growth conditions, and refining extraction techniques to produce the specific compounds our industry partners need.” Anna Ramata-Stunda
These efforts are paying off. The active ingredients cultivated by Alternative Plants are already present in skincare products available on the market. For Anna, seeing these products on store shelves—and knowing they contribute to customer satisfaction—is deeply rewarding.
“It’s really awesome to see a product on the market where our ingredient is included,” Anna Ramata-Stunda
As demand for sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients continues to grow, Alternative Plants is paving the way for a new era in biotechnology. By blending innovation with environmental stewardship, they’re proving that science can help us achieve a balance between meeting human needs and preserving the natural world.
Watch the video about Alternative Plants: