DIY4U · Project

Small-Scale Automated Machines That Let Consumers Design Their Own Detergents and Cosmetics

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You know how paint stores can mix any color you want on the spot? Imagine doing the same thing for laundry detergent, soap, or face cream — you pick the exact features you want online, and a compact machine produces it just for you. That's what this project built: a digital platform where consumers design their own everyday products, plus small automated "fablab" machines that manufacture them in small batches. They proved it works with detergents and soaps, which are some of the hardest products to formulate.

By the numbers

84.6 billion €

Global detergent and soap market size

100kg

Demonstration-scale feedstock production

Integrated fablab prototypes built

Consortium partners

Total project deliverables

SME partners in consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Consumers increasingly want personalized everyday products — a detergent that works exactly how they need it, a cosmetic that matches their exact skin tone — but FMCG manufacturers lack the digital tools and small-scale production equipment to offer true customization. Current manufacturing is built for mass production of identical products, leaving the growing personalization demand unmet in a market worth 84.6 billion euros for detergents and soaps alone.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered two integrated fablab prototypes — compact automated machines with dispensing, dosing, mixing, and cleaning systems plus digital process control — and demonstrated feedstock production at the 100kg scale. It also built a web-based open innovation B2B/B2C platform that lets consumers design custom FMCG products online, specifying performance attributes beyond simple choices like color.

Audience

Who needs this

FMCG manufacturers wanting to offer personalized detergent or cosmetic product linesCosmetics companies competing with indie brands on customizationRetail chains looking to add in-store product personalization servicesContract manufacturers seeking small-batch production capabilities for custom formulationsE-commerce platforms exploring made-to-order consumer goods

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Consumer goods manufacturing

enterprise

Target: FMCG producers looking to offer personalized product lines

If you are a detergent or soap manufacturer struggling to meet growing consumer demand for personalized products — this project developed two integrated fablab prototypes and a digital platform that let end-users design custom formulations online, which are then produced automatically at small scale. The system was demonstrated with feedstock production at the 100kg scale, proving it can handle real production volumes for niche and personalized product runs.

Cosmetics and personal care

mid-size

Target: Cosmetics brands or contract manufacturers exploring mass customization

If you are a cosmetics company losing market share to indie brands that offer personalized formulations — this project built automated small-scale manufacturing machines (fablabs) capable of dispensing, dosing, mixing, and cleaning for both liquids and particulates. The open innovation platform enables consumers to specify performance attributes far beyond just color, such as skin-matching foundations or targeted skincare, and have products made to order.

Retail and e-commerce

any

Target: Retailers or DIY store chains wanting in-store customization services

If you are a retailer looking to differentiate with in-store or online product personalization — this project created a web-based B2B/B2C platform where customers design products from home and compact fablab machines that can be deployed at store level. The concept extends the proven paint-mixing model to a much broader range of consumer goods, tapping into the 84.6 billion euro detergent and soap market alone.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to deploy a fablab unit in my facility?

The project data does not specify unit costs for the fablab machines. Since two integrated prototypes were built using rapid prototyping approaches including additive manufacturing, costs would depend on production scale and customization. Contact the consortium for pricing details.

Can this scale beyond small batches to industrial production volumes?

The project demonstrated feedstock production at the 100kg scale, which is suitable for small-batch and personalized manufacturing rather than mass production. The system is designed for customization — making small quantities of many variants rather than large quantities of one product.

Who owns the IP and can I license this technology?

The project was coordinated by SINTEF AS (Norway) with 14 partners across 7 countries. IP is likely shared among consortium members. Based on available project data, licensing arrangements would need to be discussed directly with SINTEF or relevant industrial partners.

What types of products can the fablab machines handle?

The system handles both particulate and liquid FMCG products. It was specifically tested with detergents and soaps, which are among the most complex products to formulate. The platform also targets cosmetics like creams and foundations.

Is this ready for commercial deployment today?

The project ended in April 2023 and produced two integrated fablab prototypes with working feedstock supply at demo scale. The technology has been tested but would likely need further engineering for full commercial deployment. The Innovation Action funding scheme indicates it was intended to reach near-market readiness.

Does the system comply with EU regulations for consumer products?

Based on available project data, regulatory compliance details are not specified in the objectives or deliverable descriptions. Given that the products include detergents and cosmetics, any commercial deployment would need to meet EU REACH, CLP, and Cosmetics Regulation requirements.

Can existing FMCG producers integrate this into their operations?

The system includes a digital B2B/B2C platform designed for integration with existing business processes. The fablab units include electrical systems, data acquisition, and process control units providing a digital interface. With 7 industrial partners in the consortium, the technology was developed with real industry input.

Consortium

Who built it

The DIY4U consortium brings together 14 partners from 7 countries (Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Norway, Romania, UK), with a strong industry presence — 7 industrial partners including 6 SMEs, making up 50% of the consortium. The project is coordinated by SINTEF AS, one of Europe's largest independent research organizations based in Norway. With 6 research organizations providing the scientific backbone and 7 industry partners ensuring commercial relevance, this consortium was designed to move technology from lab to market. The absence of universities and the high SME ratio suggest a focus on practical, deployable solutions rather than academic research.

SINTEF ASCoordinator · NO
CAP DIGITALparticipant · FR
CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED LBGparticipant · UK
DYNAMIC & SECURITY COMPUTATIONS SLparticipant · ES
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
PROCTER & GAMBLE TECHNICAL CENTRES LIMITEDparticipant · UK
STELAR SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LAW RESEARCH UG (HAFTUNGSBESCHRANKT) GMBHparticipant · DE
DIGITAL CATAPULTparticipant · UK
IRIS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, SOCIEDAD LIMITADAparticipant · ES
RDIUPparticipant · FR

How to reach the team

SINTEF AS (Norway) — reach out to their FMCG or manufacturing technology division

Order a report on this consortium See SINTEF AS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how personalized FMCG manufacturing could work for your product line? SciTransfer can connect you with the DIY4U team and help assess fit for your business.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0