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Aitex Challenge 2026 Awards Innovative Ideas for Plastic-Free Cosmetics

Secondary and Vocational Training students from the Valencian Community present sustainable solutions at the competition's final held in Alcoy.

Generic image of sustainable cosmetic containers.
IA

Generic image of sustainable cosmetic containers.

The Aitex Challenge 2026 has concluded its final in Alcoy, recognizing the best proposals from secondary and vocational training students in the Valencian Community for sustainable, plastic-free cosmetics.

The initiative, driven by Aitex, a research and innovation center, brought together students, teachers, and families for a day showcasing the finalist solutions. This year's challenge invited reflection on the future of cosmetics with the question: 'Revolutionize your toiletry bag: What would cosmetics be like without plastic?', fostering the development of sustainable alternatives.
A total of 835 students from 30 locations across the three Valencian provinces registered, submitting 137 proposals. Eight teams were selected as finalists, representing schools from Banyeres de Mariola, Castalla, Foios, Ontinyent, La Pobla del Duc, Valencia, and Xixona.
The jury, composed of Aitex experts including Isabel Soriano, María Blanes, Esther Franco, and Óscar Calvo, evaluated proposals based on quality, viability, and innovation. Prizes recognized student effort with an iPhone 16 for the winner, electric scooters for the runner-up, tablets for third place, and gift cards for other finalists.
Vicente Blanes, Aitex's General Director, stated: “The Aitex Challenge once again demonstrates the enormous potential of young people to propose innovative solutions to real challenges. Their commitment to sustainability and plastic reduction reflects a clear awareness of current environmental issues”.
The first prize went to 'Dermopil', an innovative serum developed by students from IES José de Ribera in La Pobla del Duc: Sheila Canet, Sofía Canet, Noemí Pellicer, and Carla Bravo.
The second prize was awarded to students from Hermes school in Valencia: Lola Sisterna, Vera Ruiz, and Laura Dauler, for a kombucha-based hydrating facial mask.
The third prize went to students from IES of Xixona: Paola Aguado, Nuria Garrigós, Mar Gisbert, and Manar Kardad, for a natural exfoliator with a biocomposite container.
Other finalists included proposals such as 'Bioform - Zeroplast Beauty' from Colegio Diocesano María Asunta in Castalla, 'Frizzn't' and 'Green Man Kit' from IES Professor Manuel Broseta in Banyeres de Mariola, 'Keratrama' from IES Escultor en Francesc Badia in Foios, and 'Plasticless Glow' from Colegio San José in Ontinyent.
Through this initiative, Aitex continues to bring innovation and technology closer to new generations, promoting scientific vocations and reinforcing the textile and cosmetic sector as a modern and sustainable field.

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