Danish biotech ingredients maker Cellugy has appointed former Estée Lauder executive Steven Schnittger to its board of directors.
Schnittger brings more than three decades of experience shaping innovation and strategy at The Estée Lauder Companies, where he most recently served as Vice President of Global Microbiology and Fermentation.
During his tenure, he was instrumental in driving the adoption of biotechnology platforms and novel ingredient technologies across some of the world’s most recognized beauty brands.
Cellugy’s proprietary technology uses fermentation to cultivate organisms that naturally produce cellulose and other biopolymers, pioneering a new class of high-performance, biofabricated materials designed to replace microplastics and petrochemical ingredients across consumer and industrial applications.
Cellugy said his insights into bridging cutting-edge science with consumer-facing applications will support its mission to develop biofabricated ingredients, which not only meet sustainability goals, but also create entirely new formulation capabilities and elevate the consumer experience at scale.
“Steven’s appointment marks an important milestone for Cellugy as we scale our technology to meet the growing demand for sustainable solutions in personal care,” said Isabel Álvarez-Martos, CEO and Co-founder of Cellugy.
“His deep expertise at the intersection of science, product innovation, and global consumer needs will be invaluable as we unlock the potential of biofabricated materials to deliver novel product claims, superior sensory experiences, and sustainable performance that were previously impossible with traditional petrochemicals,” she added.
At Estée Lauder, Schnittger was known for fostering collaborations with leading biotech innovators, establishing standards in product safety and quality, and championing the integration of sustainable innovations into mainstream beauty portfolios.
“I am thrilled to join Cellugy’s Board at such an exciting inflection point,” he said.
“Cellugy’s platform has the potential to revolutionize ingredient innovation by enabling new functionalities, enhancing product performance, and unlocking claims that redefine consumer expectations in beauty and personal care - and I look forward to contributing to this important journey.”
