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Unlocking the power of biomimetic bond builders: Key insights on KeraBio K31

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Published on:
Friday 23rd May 2025

The hair repair category is evolving, driven by increasing consumer demand for stronger, healthier hair. At Croda Beauty, we’re redefining biomimetic hair repair with KeraBio™ K31—our high-performance, biotechnology-driven bond builder that strengthens hair by recharging keratin at the molecular level.

East asian woman in her 20s with long, straight, bright pink hair.

The evolution of hair repair

The global bond builder market is experiencing rapid expansion, valued at $237 million in 2023 and projected to reach $442 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 9.3%. (1) This growth is fuelled by the increasing popularity of hair colour transformations, chemical treatments, and heat styling. The USA and China dominate this category, reflecting a widespread consumer desire for professional-level hair care solutions.

Despite the influx of strengthening and protective hair care products, true bond builders remain rare. Olaplex pioneered the category in 2014, while K18 introduced biomimetic repair technology to the market. Now, at Croda Beauty, we are redefining the landscape as the first ingredient supplier to enter this space, offering you an opportunity to innovate with our cutting-edge, science-backed ingredient.

Biomimetic repair through biotechnology

KeraBio K31 represents a breakthrough in hair repair science. Developed using synthetic biology, it is a keratin engineered to mimic the structure of human hair keratin. Unlike traditional animal- or plant-derived proteins, KeraBio K31 features a human hair-identical sequence, ensuring unmatched performance.

Close up on translucent bubbles in a gel.

Why biotechnology?

Biotechnology’s power in beauty care is widely recognised for unlocking exceptional benefits in performance-driven actives. When it comes to hair repair, it offers:
• Precision performance: designed to be hair identical to integrate seamlessly with natural hair keratin.
• Elevated potency and maintaining key active sites within the peptide structure, this delivers superior efficacy.
• Vegan keratin source, which eliminates the need for animal-derived materials for its production.

Science-backed efficacy: recharging strength

The performance of KeraBio K31 has been rigorously tested across multiple studies, proving its ability to build bonds within the hair and deliver long-term strengthening benefits. 

1. Peptide bonding and hair penetration

To prove KeraBio K31 mechanism of action we employed fluorescence microscopy and peptide binding assays to visualise the penetration of KeraBio K31 into hair fibres and ascertain its binding affinity with hair keratin. 

  • Fluorescence microscopy shows that KeraBio K31 penetrates into the hair cortex and binds with keratin.
  • Peptide binding assays demonstrate selective and preferential affinity for both keratin filament structures and amorphous matrix proteins.
  • Quantitative analysis of fluorescence intensity shows that peptide penetration depth increases with repeated applications. 

4 flourescence microscopy images showing the progression of peptide binding with multiple applications of KeraBio K31. The furthest left image shows no application and is a black square. The next image is 1 application and shows some dim lights. Each light demonstrates evidence that died KeraBio has penetrated into the hair cortex. The next image shows 5 applications and there is a noticeable increase in the quantity and brightness of the lights. The final image is 10 applications and is full with very bright obvious lights.

2. Cyclic fatigue testing: proven strength enhancement

To rigorously assess KeraBio K31’s ability to withstand real-world stresses, Cyclic Fatigue testing was conducted simulating real-life damage from brushing, heat styling, and environmental exposure.

  • KeraBio K31 treatment resulted in a significant increase in hair strength, surpassing all tested benchmarks, including a remarkable 100% greater strength than the leading commercial bond builder.
  • Performance of KeraBio K31 improves over time—the more you use it, the stronger hair becomes.
     

Miscellaneous chemistry equipment such as petri dishes, glass beakers and test tubes; arranged on a white background.

3. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis was utilised to evaluate the impact of KeraBio K31 on the structural integrity of hair keratin. Studies revealed that:

  • KeraBio K31 provides a significant elevation in the denaturation temperature of treated hair, indicating superior structural integrity compared to all tested benchmarks
  • KeraBio K31 effectively delivers a “reset” to virgin hair, even after severe bleaching. 

Application versatility

The potential applications of KeraBio K31 across diverse hair types present a compelling opportunity for formulators. As the hair repair category evolves, driven by consumer demand for stronger, healthier hair, an ingredient with broad applicability is highly valuable.

KeraBio K31 offers targeted repair for hair showing signs of damage from bleaching, colouring, and thermal styling. It is equally effective for naturally fragile hair, including textured hair and mature hair.

Another key advantage lies in its compatibility across multiple cosmetic formats, including shampoos, conditioners, intensive treatments, serums, and styling products.

This versatility allows brands to develop innovative solutions tailored to different consumer needs. Discover our latest formulations featuring KeraBio K31: a Bond Building Mask with repair and care properties, and a Bond Building Spray with repair and styling properties.

KeraBio K31 is undoubtedly a hero ingredient with standout performance. While powerful on its own, it also pairs seamlessly with complementary actives. Combining KeraBio K31 with FibraShield™ C creates a powerful synergy of repair and protection, ensuring long-lasting hair health and strength. 

A photo of a woman with blonde hair whose face is hidden beneath her hair. The focus of the image is her hair which is shiny, wavy and healthy.

Why KeraBio K31?

At Croda Beauty, we believe that consumers deserve more than just temporary fixes for their hair—they need deep biomimetic repair and targeted bond building to restore strength and confidence. That's exactly what KeraBio K31 offers. As the first ingredient supplier to enter the bond-building space with a human hair-identical keratin, we are redefining what's possible.

Unlike traditional hair care ingredients, KeraBio K31 works at the molecular level, recharging the hair's internal structure with keratin to repair and strengthen from within. It's not just about temporarily fixing damage—it's about hair reaching its full potential with scientifically-backed, advanced bond building. Whether it's for hair damaged by chemical treatments or heat styling, or naturally fragile hair, KeraBio K31 delivers lasting results that surpass conventional hair repair solutions.

Ready to take your formulations to the next level? Let’s work together to transform hair care with KeraBio K31 and bring the future of hair repair to your consumers.

Download the datasheet and presentation, request a sample, or connect with our team to discuss how KeraBio K31 can elevate your next formulation. Let’s push the boundaries of hair repair—together.

1. Persistence Market Research