What Roka Furadada does

Roka Furadada is a Barcelona-based Deep-Tech ingredient company founded in 2019 that develops and commercializes proprietary UV-protection and multifunctional cosmetic actives for B2B customers in the cosmetics industry. The company sells two technology platforms: ROKA Smart UV, a patented photo-adaptive UV absorber system whose molecules remain dormant until exposed to sunlight and then transform to absorb across UVA/UVB ranges in a dose-dependent manner (commercialized products include PvB 360 and the upcoming ITM 330 launched in March 2026); and ROKA Cirkle, a next-generation lignin technology that combines lignin with selected fatty acids to produce liquid, multifunctional ingredients for sun care, skin care, hair care and make-up applications (commercialized as Sotabosk and Kanigo). The company's value proposition centers on first-mover photo-adaptive chemistry — described as the first novel UV filter innovation in 25 years — that addresses degradation, reapplication frequency, toxicity and marine environmental impact of incumbent UV filters.

Roka Furadada operates a sales-led B2B model targeting cosmetic manufacturers, with services spanning formulation guidance, scale-up feasibility, pilot development, galenic formulation, application assessment, and ingredient encapsulation, alongside one-time ingredient licensing/sales. Commercial reach extends internationally through direct enterprise sales and a strategic exclusive distribution partnership with LEHVOSS Italia S.r.l for the Italian market, one of Europe's largest cosmetics manufacturing hubs. The company holds multiple patents on its photo-adaptive chemistry and branded trademarks (ROKA Smart UV, ROKA Cirkle), is funded historically via non-dilutive EU grants (Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie, ACCIÓ, EIC) and an approximately $3.87M of equity capital, and has received European-level recognition including the DeepTechAward (2022), Catalonia Exponential Leaders (2023), and EIC Women Innovators finalist (2026).

Name

Roka Furadada

Legal name

Roka Furadada

Website

https://rokafuradada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Roka Furadada is a Barcelona-based Deep-Tech B2B ingredient company that develops patented photo-adaptive UV absorbers (ROKA Smart UV) and lignin-based multifunctional actives (ROKA Cirkle) for sale to cosmetic manufacturers targeting sunscreen, skin care, hair care and make-up applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetic Active Ingredients

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Sun Care & After-Sun (Non-color) (CRADANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunscreen (Body) (CRABAHAB), Sunscreen (Face) (CRABAHAA), Hand & Body Care (Lotions, Creams, Body Oils) (CRADANAC), SPF Cosmetics & Daily Wear (Tinted SPF, BB/CC, SPF Primers) (CRABAHAL)

Keywords

• Photo-adaptive UV filters
• Cosmetic active ingredients
• Sun protection actives
• Lignin-based ingredients
• Skincare formulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Active Ingredient Sales: B2B sales of proprietary UV protection active ingredients (ROKA Smart UV PvB 360, ITM 330) and ROKA Cirkle product line (Sotabosk, Kanigó) to cosmetic manufacturers for use in sunscreens, skincare, hair care, and make-up products.
2. Contract Development Services: Provides scale-up feasibility testing, pilot development, galenic formulation services, application assessment, and ingredient encapsulation services to cosmetic manufacturers.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Roka Furadada develops, manufactures, and sells proprietary active ingredients for the cosmetics industry, focused on photo-adaptive UV protection (ROKA Smart UV®) and bio-based multifunctional ingredients (ROKA Cirkle®). The company also provides contract development services including scale-up feasibility, galenic formulation, application assessment, and ingredient encapsulation to cosmetic manufacturers. Customers are B2B brands and contract manufacturers integrating these actives into sunscreens, skincare, hair care, and make-up products.

Product overview

Roka Furadada is a Deep-Tech cosmetics ingredient company offering two core technology platforms: ROKA Smart UV® (photo-adaptive UV protection technology) and ROKA Cirkle® (liquid lignin technology). The ROKA Smart UV® portfolio includes PvB 360 and ITM 330 - smart molecule ingredients that adapt to solar radiation intensity. The ROKA Cirkle® portfolio includes Sotabosk and Kanigo - multifunctional lignin-based ingredients for sun care, skin care, hair care, and make-up applications. The company also offers formulation services including scale-up feasibility testing, galenic formulation development, application assessment, and ingredient encapsulation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROKA Smart UV®: Patented photo-adaptive UV absorber technology that responds to sunlight, providing adaptive, long-lasting UVA protection.
• ROKA Cirkle®

Products and services

• ROKA Smart UV® PvB 360 Photo-adaptive UV active ingredient for cosmetic manufacturers that absorbs UVB (290-320 nm) and photochemically transforms into a UVA (320-400 nm) absorber, providing adaptive dose-dependent photoprotection with up to 6 hours of efficacy, used in sun care and anti-photoageing formulations.
• ROKA Smart UV® ITM 330 Patented encapsulated photo-adaptive UV absorber providing photoprotection across UVB and UVA-II (290-340 nm) with biocompatible capsules that do not penetrate skin or release into marine environments, for cosmetic manufacturers seeking environmentally friendly and safer UV filtration.
• ROKA Cirkle® Sotabosk Lignin oleate and oleic acid based multifunctional ingredient for sun care, skin care, and make-up applications, providing antimicrobial properties (acne/blemishes, preservative booster), antioxidant protection against radiation, and film-forming SPF-boosting capabilities; Halal, Kosher, and Cruelty Free certified.
• ROKA Cirkle® Kanigó Lignin-linoleic acid based multifunctional active for scalp and hair care, providing antimicrobial activity against Malassezia furfur (dandruff), antioxidant protection, film-forming protective barrier on hair, and ceramide biosynthesis support; clinically validated in a randomized double-blind in vivo study showing scalp improvement after 28 days at 3% concentration.
• Contract Development and Formulation Services Professional services including scale-up feasibility testing, pilot development, galenic formulation of cosmetic products, application assessment, and ingredient encapsulation, provided directly to cosmetic manufacturer clients to accelerate integration of Roka Furadada's active ingredients.

Quantifiable outcome

• ROKA Smart UV PvB 360 provides maximum protection levels up to 6 hours after use
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LEHVOSS Italia S.r.lcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership to bring ROKA Smart UV technology to the Italian market. LEHVOSS serves as the exclusive distribution and market development partner in Italy, one of the top cosmetic manufacturing markets in Europe. Collaboration enables development of new generation cosmetic products with on-demand and long-lasting photoprotection using ROKA FURADADA's patented dose-dependent progressive UV active ingredients.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ashland Specialty Ingredients: US specialty chemical supplier with a Personal Care unit providing UV filters, conditioning polymers, and biofunctional ingredients. Comparable B2B motion into cosmetic manufacturers with multifunctional actives.
• Givaudan Active Beauty: Swiss fragrance/beauty major with an Active Beauty division selling cosmetic actives (anti-aging, microbiome, UV). Comparable B2B supplier model with R&D-intensive novel active ingredients sold to personal care brands.
• Symrise (Cosmetic Ingredients): Major flavor and fragrance / personal care ingredients company with a sizable sun protection and active cosmetic ingredient range. Comparable B2B customer base (cosmetic manufacturers) and overlapping UV-protection value proposition.
• Merck KGaA (Life Science / Performance Materials — Cosmetic Actives): Supplies UV filters (e.g., Eusolex) and a wide range of cosmetic actives including pigments, effect materials, and functional ingredients. Overlaps with Roka in supplying specialty sun-care and skincare actives to formulators.
• Croda International: UK-listed specialty ingredients company with a Personal Care division supplying UV filters (e.g., Solaveil) and multifunctional cosmetic actives. Direct competitive overlap in sun-care ingredient supply, with materially larger scale and global footprint.
• DSM-Firmenich (Personal Care): Global specialty ingredients giant offering a broad portfolio of UV filters, vitamins, and bioactives for sun care, skincare, and haircare. Comparable to Roka as a supplier of cosmetic actives, though orders of magnitude larger and broader in scope.
• BASF Personal Care: One of the world's largest chemical suppliers with a dedicated personal care / UV filter portfolio (e.g., Uvinul grades). Competes with Roka in supplying UV protection active ingredients to sunscreen brands, but across a much wider ingredient catalog.

Direct peers

• Hallstar: US-based specialty chemical company that develops and supplies UV filter systems and photoprotection ingredients (e.g., HallBrite, SolaStay) to cosmetic formulators. Direct peer in photo-adaptive / specialty UV filter ingredients targeting sunscreen manufacturers.

Emerging players

• Mibelle Biochemistry: Swiss developer of bio-inspired cosmetic actives (e.g., PhytoCellTec, snow algae extract) supplied to cosmetic brands. Comparably sized specialist player pushing novel, sustainability-positioned cosmetic actives — closely analogous competitive niche to Roka.
• Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (IFF): IFF-owned supplier of phospholipid-based and bioactive cosmetic ingredients (e.g., MelinOil, IMUGEN). Comparable mid-sized specialty active supplier with a science-driven B2B model targeting personal care brands, similar go-to-market profile to Roka.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rokafuradada/posts/?feedView=all

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Roka Furadada