Research and Technology Center
AQIA Inovativa based on its great purpose, which is to “develop the science of well-being for society”, started in mid 2020, the construction of a new space that could integrate different laboratory structures and expand technological capital, scientific and human. Thus was born the Research and Technology Center – RTC – a structure dedicated to confirming this commitment.
The RTC includes, in an area of 410m2, the following laboratories:
Chemical R&D Classical Laboratory
The R&D Laboratory meets the group’s internal demands regarding activities aimed at research projects and new product development. It operates in an “open lab” model, offering customers and partners experiences in shared development of ingredients (co-creation), nationalization, specification adjustments to comply with specific legislation and in the transfer and validation of new technologies.
The laboratory has 4 chemical hoods, where it is possible to carry out up to 6 simultaneous reactions and has benchtop pilot reactors, 60 liter pilot reactors (vitrified and stainless steel), a subcritical extractor and a molecular distiller. This structure allows the creation of numerous products such as:
- Esters – via cleavage and enzymatic catalysis, conventional catalysis (homogeneous and heterogeneous) and by transesterification
- Amides
- Betaines
- Concentrated plant extracts – via subcritical extraction and conventional routes;
- Ethers
- Micronized in general (semi-precious stones, rice biosilica, among others…)
- Ammonium quaternaries
- Concentrated bases
Chemical Research & Development Classical Laboratory
Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
Provides support to the Research and Development laboratories of Classical Chemistry and Human and Animal Nutrition, Biotechnology, and Safety and Efficacy. It is responsible for monitoring specific analytical parameters, during the synthesis of certain ingredients, and supporting the development and application of validated methodologies.
Among the main analyses, the following stand out:
- Chromatographic profile of oils and fats;
- Chromatographic profile of plant extracts;
- Surface tension measurements;
- Contact angle measurements of emollients;
- Viscosity Analysis;
- Monitoring the path of chemical reactions;
- Protein dimerization/degradation analysis;
- Quantification of biomarkers in plant matrix
Instrumental Analysis
Laboratory
Biotechnology Laboratory
The Biotechnology Laboratory’s mission is to create value for AQIA through the development of innovative and sustainable processes and products through biotechnological pathways.
The Biotechnology Laboratory is ready to carry out the establishment of partnerships for the co-development, transfer, validation and scaling of biotechnology projects.
Biotechnology
Laboratory
Human and Animal Nutrition R&D Laboratory
Responsible for the areas: Human Nutrition and Animal Nutrition
The Human and Animal Nutrition R&D is a space for creating and inspiring ingredients and semi-finished products, which shares with customers opportunities for innovation, co-creation, development and application of our ingredients and technologies, bringing innovative solutions.
Projects and applications are customized. The architecture of each project is designed as unique, going beyond formulating products and applying concepts.
We work with several product categories: food, food supplements, nutritional products, beverages, ice cream, bakery, dairy, confectionary, oral beauty and wellness supplements in different consumption formats, pet food, pet care, animal health.
Human and Animal Nutrition Research & Development Laboratory
Safety and Efficacy Laboratory
Performs both activities related to the safety certification of AQIA products and activities related to ensuring the effectiveness of products against various effects of interest;
It makes use of in vitro methodologies, alternatives to the use of animals, meeting the demands of the national and international market;
It uses procedures validated by the bodies: OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), ECVAM (European Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods) , ICCVAM (Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods), ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Performs tests recommended by CONCEA (National Council for the Control of Animal Experiments) and requested by ANVISA.
Safety & Efficacy
Laboratory
Application and Sensory Assessment Laboratory
Application Laboratory
Meets demand from units: Personal Care, Nutrition, Pharma and Vet Solutions.
Develops suggestions for formulations and prototypes for topical use, using AQIA raw materials and those represented in a proactive way, anticipating trends in textures and sensory. It has a formula bank with over 1000 formulations!
It works with a focus on promoting the SOLUTION based on the specific needs of the clients’ projects and the general needs of the Market, identified both by our Commercial sector and by the Marketing sector. To promote the best possible solutions for a wide variety of regions and requirements, it has our Regulatory sector to support it. Its highly qualified team, made up of different specialists, technicians, scientists, actively participate in meetings with clients and prepare various technical content for conferences, publications and specialized events.
Sensory Assessment
It performs various sensory evaluations on hair (test room), locks of hair, skin (cabins), in addition to performance analysis, through specialized equipment. Conducts affective, descriptive and discriminative tests. Some methodologies developed for conducting these tests are developed in conjunction with universities and specialized institutes.
Application & Sensory
Assessment Laboratory
TOP TEAM
The RTC has a team of doctors, masters and researchers in the areas of chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biotechnology, food, veterinary and engineering.
They act incessantly in basic research and applied research. The team has a network of connections with the main universities in the country and several research institutes. Its connection with the customer is through the internal collaboration network that makes up the commercial and marketing teams.
The RTC will be increasingly dedicated to finding robust solutions that meet the needs and requirements of the well-being segments with an eye oriented towards collaborative/customized and sustainable creation. Other important laboratories for our operations:
Process Engineering (PE)
Process technology area, responsible for monitoring the production process in daily routines, in order to meet production deadlines and the final quality of the product.
It is also responsible for troubleshotting (corrective actions), related to the production process.
It transfers technology, scale-up, from laboratory scale and from the R&D pilot plant to industrial scale, through the development of production methodologies and batch monitoring, in order to meet all requirements.
Responsible for ensuring and improving process safety, by constantly updating process/equipment data and performing risk analysis according to HAZOP methodology.
It has the technical responsibility of the ETE (wastewater treatment plant), aiming to increase performance through the use of cutting edge technology.
It develops new production processes, according to the client’s needs and the introduction of new projects, and performs dimensioning of industrial equipment such as reactors, heat exchangers, filters, pumps, distillation towers, among others.
Process Engineering (PE)
Microbiology Laboratory
It is part of the LCQ and its main activities are the analysis of all inputs used and manufactured by AQIA, fractionation inputs, water, packaging. In addition to meeting R&D requests, PEL (Process Engineering Laboratory) requests and re-analyzing complaints.
It is also responsible for attending audits (by customers, partners, certifiers) and for training during the integration of new employees and training employees on Good Practices and Personal Hygiene.
Actively participated in obtaining ISO 22716/GMP (Good manufacturing practices for cosmetics) certification.
Microbiology Laboratory
Quality Control Laboratory (QCL)
It carries out analyzes to ensure the quality of finished products manufactured by AQIA, fractional products and products from the represented companies.
It uses the R&R analysis methodology (Reproducibility and Repeatability) in order to reduce the possibilities of variation in the analyzes performed.
Provides support to R&D in the process of developing new products, performing the necessary analysis and developing analysis methodologies according to Brazilian, American and European Pharmacopoeia, DGF, among others.
Able to carry out proficiency tests of analysis methodologies in order to meet specific customer requirements.
Some analyzes performed: Acidity Index, Peroxide, Hydroxyl, Iodine Saponification, Unsaponifiables, Water Content, Solids, Assets Content, Grease Composition, Sulphated Ash, pH, Density, Refractive Index, Monoester, Glycerol and others.
Quality Control Laboratory (QCL)