L’Oréal reveals $140M Research & Innovation Center coming to Clark

L’Oréal USA is revealing the new look for its new Research & Innovation Center coming to Clark.

After more than 60 years operating in the Union County municipality, L’Oréal Group’s largest subsidiary said Sept. 27 it will replace its existing facilities with a $140 million redevelopment effort representing the most significant investment in such a facility in the company’s history.

The Clark Planning Board gave the all-clear for L’Oreal USA‘s plans in April 2021. The R&I Center is currently under construction and expected to be fully operational by 2024. It will focus on beauty innovations for the hair, skin and makeup categories, while also pioneering research through strategic scientific fields such as Green Sciences and Beauty Tech.

At nearly 250,000 square feet, L’Oréal USA says the center will house more than 550 employees from across all areas of its North America Research & Innovation Division in one space.

“This historic investment in our new Research & Innovation Center is an important milestone for L’Oréal USA as we continue to put science at the heart of all that we do to serve our American consumers with more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable beauty products,” President and CEO David Greenberg said in a statement. “New Jersey has served as our scientific hub here in the U.S. for over six decades, and we are excited to expand our footprint in the state and bring all our scientific teams together in a beautiful and modern new research facility.”

Plans in place

According to a statement from North America President of Research and Innovation Sanford Browne, the new facility will be L’Oréal’s “epicenter” for the North American product innovation, development and testing teams.

The company says the site’s design is considerate of “the highest sustainability standards,” with plans to reduce energy use, resource consumption and waste, while also developing indoor and outdoor green spaces to support the ecology and biodiversity of the area.

Inside, workspaces and modular labs will feature design elements to strengthen internal partnerships, according to L’Oréal, allowing for greater collaboration and innovation across disciplines. The Center will have the capability to scale formulations with a dedicated team, accelerating the development of new products. It will also house external partnerships and scientific efforts that are part of the L’Oréal Open Innovation strategy.

Gov. Phil Murphy praised the move, calling attention to the state’s record as a growing and thriving hub for workers in the life sciences fields.

“New Jersey is home to the largest concentration of scientists and engineers per square mile in the United States, which makes our state a prime location for businesses seeking top talent to help them remain on the cutting edge of innovation and development,” Murphy said. “This significant project represents L’Oréal’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a presence in New Jersey, and I am thrilled their company has chosen to continue investing in the future of our state.”