NextGen® Squalaneby Cataya

75% fewer impurities. 40% smaller particle size. 1.5x better skin hydration in clinical trials. The purest, most sustainable squalane ever made.

+99%

Purity, highest in market

75%

Fewer impurities vs. 1st gen

40%

Smaller particle size

1.5x

Better skin hydration

The Purest Squalane

+99%

Purity. Verified against every prior generation of squalane on the market.

A standard that didn't exist before us.

75% fewer impurities, 40% smaller particle size and clinically proven superior hydration compared to the previous generation of fermentation squalane.

The Performance Gap

Beyond previous generations, by every measure that matters.

75%

Fewer impurities

Compared to previous generation fermentation squalane. Purity shows up directly in skin feel and tolerance.

40%

Smaller particle size

Faster absorption, lighter feel, and a superior delivery system for actives.

1.5x

Better skin hydration

28-day clinical trial against previous generation fermentation squalane.

Where NextGen® Squalane Performs

Used across every personal care category.

Skin Care

Serums & Face Oils

Sun Care

SPF & Sun Protection

Color

Color Cosmetics

Hair Care

Hair & Scalp

Our Platform Molecule

NextGen® Squalane by Cataya

The most shark like profile produced from fermented squalene. Lighter to the skin, faster absorption, and the most sustainable pricing in the category.

✓

The smoothest, cleanest base on the market. +99% purity your customers can feel in every application.

✓

No masking fragrances needed. Non-detectable odor simplifies your formulation and cuts costs.

✓

Replace shark-derived squalane without compromise. Identical performance profile, fully sustainable sourcing.

✓

Boost efficacy of your actives. Superior carrier that amplifies delivery and performance in every formulation.

Built by Proven Operators

18+ biomolecules. 1,000+ products. One mission.

Our team has developed 18+ biomolecules and commercialized over 1,000 beauty and wellness products rated 4.5★ or better.

Innovation Pipeline

The next wave is already in our hands.

Beyond squalane: a pipeline of biomolecules built to set new standards in efficacy and sustainability.

Retinol Replacement

2'-Fucosyllactose

Gentle HMO, retinol-grade efficacy

Stimulates collagen at levels comparable to retinol and restores the skin barrier 3x more effectively, without the irritation.

Skin Longevity

Ectoine

Built for environmental stress

Stable under extreme heat and UV exposure. A natural extremolyte that protects skin cells from urban pollution and oxidative damage.

Hydration

Goat Milk Hydrolysates

Breakthrough bioavailability

Up to 2x increase in skin hydration. Fully odorless, enabling higher inclusion than any milk-derived active before.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know.

What makes NextGen® Squalane different from other squalane?

NextGen® Squalane is the 4th-generation fermentation squalane — +99% purity, 75% fewer impurities, and 40% smaller particle size than the previous fermentation generation. It delivers the closest physico-chemical profile to shark-derived squalane without any animal sourcing.

Will switching to NextGen® Squalane require reformulating my products?

In almost every case, no. The INCI name (Squalane) and regulatory status are identical to what you use today, and NextGen® Squalane's profile is the closest to shark-derived squalane of any commercial source. Formulators typically swap on a 1:1 basis with improved stability, sensorial, and claim implications. Our scientists support qualification through your stability protocols and provide formulation guides for skin care, sun care, hair, and color applications.

What certifications does NextGen® Squalane hold?

NextGen® Squalane is ECOCERT approved, USDA Certified 100% Bio-based, REACH Registered (EU), Quasi-drug approved (Japan), China NMPA approved, Cosmetic GMP compliant, readily biodegradable (OECD 301B), and uses Bonsucro-certified sugarcane.

What sustainability and marketing claims can my brand make with NextGen® Squalane?

NextGen® Squalane supports a fully substantiated claim set: 100% bio-based (USDA verified), readily biodegradable (OECD 301B), Bonsucro-certified sugarcane sourcing, no animal origin, ECOCERT approved, and a third-party Life Cycle Assessment quantifying reduced water, energy, and emissions per kilo versus the previous fermentation generation. We share the LCA dataset under NDA so your sustainability and legal teams can vet claim language before any launch.

Who is behind ACTIOGLOBAL?

ACTIOGLOBAL is built by a team that has commercialized more than 18 biomolecules and brought 1,000+ beauty and wellness products to market with 4.5-star-or-higher ratings. Categories range from renewable lubricants and vitamin E to F&F ingredients, pharma squalene, and prior-generation squalane. NextGen® Squalane by Cataya is the next chapter, not the first product.

Our Platform Molecule

NextGen® Squalane by Cataya

The closest squalane to shark-derived quality, produced from fermented squalene. Lighter on skin, faster absorbing and the most competitively priced in market.

Purity

+99%

Odor

Non detectable

Viscosity (~21°C)

~33.6 cP

Stability

Stable

Source

Fermented Squalene

INCI Name

Squalane

Certifications & Compliance

ECOCERT approved

USDA Certified 100% Bio based

REACH Registered (EU)

Quasi-drug approved (Japan)

China NMPA approved

Cosmetic GMP compliant

Readily biodegradable (OECD 301B)

Bonsucro certified sugarcane

Generational Comparison

The evolution of squalane:
from shark to NextGen® Squalane.

1st Generation

Shark Derived Squalane

An unsustainable source

Deep sea sharks endangered
Animal-derived, controversial
Banned in EU
Brand reputation risk

2nd Generation

Olive Derived Squalane

A volatile source

Supply & price volatility
Quality variability lot to lot
Lower purity (87–92%)
Irreversible cold haziness

3rd Generation

1st Gen Fermentation Squalane

Sugarcane-derived

Stable supply & quality
High C30 purity
92–94% overall purity
Higher viscosity than shark

4th Generation

ACTIOGLOBAL

NextGen® Squalane by Cataya

+99% purity, best in category
Shark like viscosity & density
Non detectable odor
Most sustainable pricing

How We Make It

Simpler. Purer. One single factory.

Our process delivers the most traceable, purity-focused fermentation squalane on the market, with controlled fermentation and fully quantified environmental performance.

Renewable Feedstocks

Sugarcane

Fermentation

Biosynthesis

Squalene

Hydrogenation

Precision conversion

NextGen® Squalane

Squalane

Step 01

Controlled Fermentation

Squalene biosynthesis from renewable feedstocks in dedicated fermentation lines. Complete traceability within a single factory, from feedstock to finished molecule.

Step 02

Precision Hydrogenation

A streamlined downstream conversion of squalene to squalane. Fewer process steps mean fewer impurity paths and more consistent results across every batch.

Step 03

Quantified Sustainability

Full lifecycle assessment tracked production: lower water usage, lower emissions and lower energy per kilogram than the previous generation of fermentation squalane.

Proven Performance

Clinical results that matter.

Supported by clinical studies, real-world usage tests and consumer panels, with measurable benefits across skin and hair applications.

Skin Hydration

1.5x

1.5x better skin hydration than the previous generation of fermentation squalane, confirmed in a 28-day clinical trial.

19 women aged 18–50, twice daily on inner forearm, weekly evaluation.

Wrinkle Reduction

51%

Visible reduction in wrinkle appearance at Day 28, documented through high-resolution matched digital photography.

Reverse Photo Engineering analysis.

Collagen Synthesis

+10%

Greater collagen synthesis in vitro compared to all other squalane generations tested.

In vitro collagen type 1 immunofluorescence study.

Cell Turnover

+34%

Increase versus untreated control site, and 17% versus placebo. Both results are statistically significant.

10 volunteers aged 25–56, Dansyl Chloride method.

Side by Side Comparison

Claims backed by real science.

Full physico-chemical comparison against the three prior squalane generations.

Property	Shark Derived	Olive Derived	1st Gen Fermentation	ACTIOGLOBAL NextGen® Squalane
Purity (%)	>99	90.51 ± 0.27	93.36 ± 0.00	99.58 ± 0.00
Odor	Slight oily	Non detectable	Non detectable	Non detectable
Density (g/mL)	0.8084	0.8199	0.8093	0.8083
Viscosity (cP, 20.7°C)	33.63	41.70	36.07	33.57
Refractive Index	1.4520	1.4551	1.4521	1.4502
Stability	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable

Applications

Versatile across every category.

From body lotions and sun care to self-tanning and lipsticks, NextGen® Squalane raises the bar across every application.

Skin Care

Serums & Face Oils

5–10% typical

Sun Care

SPF & Sun Protection

3–5% typical

Makeup

Color Cosmetics

3–10% typical

Hair Care

Hair & Scalp

2–5% typical

Baby Care

Baby & Sensitive Skin

5–10% typical

Serums

Pure Carrier Serum

Up to 100%

Cleansers

Face Wash & Body Cleanse

3–8% typical

Body Care

Body Lotions & Creams

3–5% typical

In the Lab and On the Shelf

The ingredient brands trust to perform.

From luxury serums to mass-market sunscreens, NextGen® Squalane by Cataya is the standard of choice for formulators who cannot compromise on purity or skin feel.

Premium serum and face cream formulated with NextGen Squalane

Innovation Pipeline

Setting the standard
for the next wave.

NextGen® Squalane is our foundation. Every molecule in our pipeline is built to deliver breakthrough efficacy, grounded in rigorous science.

Retinol Replacement

2'-Fucosyllactose (2'FL)

A Human Milk Oligosaccharide and a genuinely gentle retinol alternative

2'FL is a Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) naturally found in breast milk. Produced via eco friendly fermentation at >98% purity, it delivers retinol-grade results without the irritation.

A genuinely soothing option where aggressive actives are not appropriate. Water soluble and easy to incorporate into diverse cosmetic systems.

+117%

Filaggrin restoration with 2'FL vs. +39% with retinol

Better skin barrier repair than retinol

>98%

Purity from eco friendly fermentation

✓
Stimulates collagen at levels comparable to retinol, significantly outperforming common peptide complexes and niacinamide
✓
Stimulates elastin at levels comparable to retinol, contributing to skin elasticity
✓
Significantly outperforms retinol in fibronectin stimulation
✓
Restores filaggrin, involucrin and keratins, the essential proteins behind skin barrier integrity
✓
Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1, helping to calm the inflammatory response
✓
Protects against urban pollution stress

Skin Longevity

Ectoine

Our skin longevity molecule

A natural extremolyte that protects skin cells from environmental stressors. A promising alternative to Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) with superior stress resilience and UV protection.

✓
Survives extreme heat and environmental stress conditions
✓
Promising alternative to Vitamin B3 (niacinamide)
✓
Protects skin from urban dust and UV-induced damage

Hair & Lightweight Care

Hemisqualane

A silicone substitute, naturally

A naturally derived lightweight emollient designed to replace silicones across hair and skin applications, without compromising the slip, finish or absorption profile that formulators expect.

✓
Superior hair penetration vs. conventional emollients
✓
Preserves hair color for longer wear
✓
Lightweight skin hydration with fast absorption

Hydration Innovation

Goat Milk Hydrolysates

An unexpected source for breakthrough hydration

A genuine step forward in bioavailability for milk-derived actives. Odorless processing allows for higher inclusion rates than any milk-based ingredient available before, delivering over 40% improved skin cell turnover versus standard actives.

✓
Breakthrough bioavailability, unprecedented among milk proteins
✓
Up to 2x increase in skin hydration vs. conventional actives
✓
Fully odorless, enabling higher inclusion in formulations
✓
40%+ improved skin cell turnover rate

About ACTIOGLOBAL

Raising the bar for health,
beauty & wellness.

We are reshaping how health, beauty and wellness brands access ingredients. Precision biochemistry is our tool. Proven performance is our promise.

— John Melo, CEO & Founder

Our Team

Exceptional scientists,
proven leaders.

Together, our leadership has developed over 18 biomolecules, completed 6 successful exits and brought more than 1,000 beauty and wellness products to market, each rated 4.5 stars or better.

John Melo

CEO · Cofounder

25+ years in biotechnology
Developed 18+ commercial biomolecules
Led $2B+ in licenses and transactions
Helped create the Clean Beauty category

Dondeena Bradley, PhD

President

Senior leadership CPG health & wellness
Deep expertise across R&D & IP
Named a "40 Under 40" innovator by business press

Ana Carolina Galvão

Platform Development

5+ years in biotechnology
Molecular research specialist
Product development excellence
Translates complex science into impactful innovations

Thiago Bizelli

Market Development

6+ years in biotechnology
New biomolecule market entry specialist
International business development
MSc student in chemical engineering

Matt de Soto

Strategic Partnerships

15+ years structuring deals across biotech, CPG and AI
Early stage customer acquisition specialist
Led global expansion for major brands
Converts tech platforms into revenue

Track Record

Built by operators with deep biotech roots.

Our leadership has built and scaled programs across renewable lubricants, vitamin E, F&F ingredients, Reb M, pharma squalene, and prior-generation squalane — eighteen-plus biomolecules commercialized, one thousand-plus beauty and wellness products in market with 4.5★ ratings or better.

NextGen® Squalaneby Cataya

A standard that didn't exist before us.

Beyond previous generations, by every measure that matters.

Used across every personal care category.

NextGen® Squalane by Cataya

18+ biomolecules. 1,000+ products. One mission.

The next wave is already in our hands.

2'-Fucosyllactose

Ectoine

Goat Milk Hydrolysates

Everything you need to know.

Let's formulate the next generation, together.

NextGen® Squalane by Cataya

The evolution of squalane: from shark to NextGen® Squalane.

Simpler. Purer. One single factory.

Controlled Fermentation

Precision Hydrogenation

Quantified Sustainability

Clinical results that matter.

Skin Hydration

Wrinkle Reduction

Collagen Synthesis

Cell Turnover

Claims backed by real science.

Versatile across every category.

Ready to formulate? Work with the new standard.

The ingredient brands trust to perform.

Setting the standard for the next wave.

2'-Fucosyllactose (2'FL)

Ectoine

Hemisqualane

Goat Milk Hydrolysates

Raising the bar for health, beauty & wellness.

Exceptional scientists, proven leaders.

John Melo

Dondeena Bradley, PhD

Ana Carolina Galvão

Thiago Bizelli

Matt de Soto

Built by operators with deep biotech roots.

Eighteen biomolecules. One thousand brands. One playbook.

Let's raise the bar together.

Request technical information

Get in touch directly

Thiago Bizelli

Ana Carolina Galvão

What happens after you reach out?

The evolution of squalane:
from shark to NextGen® Squalane.

Setting the standard
for the next wave.

Raising the bar for health,
beauty & wellness.

Exceptional scientists,
proven leaders.