Lancaster: a success story born in a garage in Monaco 76 years ago
From research to production
The research
Opposite the production site, the Athos Palace (rue de la Lüjerneta) houses all the basic research platforms carried out by the Monegasque site. It is here that researchers study the physiology of the skin to better understand skin aging.
“We work in vitro on isolated cells first, then artificial epidermis and skin biopsies, summarizes Cécile Robert, skin science director. “Our role will be to look for ingredients that will counteract the effects of light to stimulate genes.”
This laboratory also houses the sun protection research department, which has a unique patented system that targets 100% of the sun’s rays in order to design the most protective formulas possible for the skin.
“The whole industry rightly focuses on UV which is very harmful. of UV and 94% of visible light, infrared light, which also have an impact on the acceleration of premature aging“, recalls Marc Pissavini, sun and research director.
Creation
The Fontvieille site also has an applied research laboratory. “This is the stage where we create the product from the knowledge and materials we consider”summarizes Olivier Doucet.
“We assemble the chassis, the body of the formula, with all the technologies in accordance with the message we want to convey with this product. We will work on sensoriality, attributes, fragrance, color and the right pack fit. -formula”continuation Karine Julien, R&S Senior Product Development Director.
It is therefore here that the recipes that will be produced by the factory are developed. “We are working on products with a horizon of 1 or 2 years, even in 3 years.”
The making
After research, place to production. The ingredients, methodically stored, are weighed and mixed in huge vats. Particularity of a factory located in an environment constrained by space in the heart of a hyper-urbanized district: the packaging area is on the lower floor. The preparations are therefore transported by gravity in large conduits depending on the production lines just below.
The conditioning
This is the last step before the finished product can reach store shelves: packaging. A total of 13 production lines are spread over the entire area in order to pour the emulsions prepared upstream into their jars, tubes, sprays and bottles before being packaged.
Depending on the number of batches to be made, the packaging line is more or less automated. Line “403”, “the most productive in the factory”, “can output up to 120 pieces per minute”confides Jérémie Rameau, plant manager.