In today’s hyper-competitive landscape, product formulation has become more than a technical necessity—it’s now a strategic imperative. Whether in food, beverages, cosmetics, or consumer health products, companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry are being challenged to develop cleaner, greener, and more effective products at a breakneck pace. Add in rising regulatory demands, supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer expectations, and it’s easy to see why traditional R&D methods are reaching a breaking point.
Enter the age of AI-powered formulation
At its core, AI-powered formulation is about using data and intelligent algorithms to explore and optimize product recipes more effectively than ever before. Gone are the days when trial-and-error lab work was the only path to innovation. Today, generative AI and machine learning enable scientists to simulate outcomes, model consumer preferences, and design for sustainability—all before a single physical prototype is produced.
One of the most compelling shifts is the move toward science-based digital innovation. Rather than working in silos with disconnected tools and processes, organizations are embracing integrated digital environments where formulation development, lab testing, compliance, and even packaging design can all be managed in one cohesive workflow.
Powerful Benefits
The benefits are significant. Generative formulation, for instance, allows R&D teams to input target criteria—such as viscosity, texture, nutritional content, cost, and environmental impact—and receive optimized product suggestions based on historical data and predictive modeling. This not only accelerates the time-to-market but also reduces development costs and improves the odds of getting the product right the first time.
Another game-changing advancement is the use of Virtual Twin technology. These digital replicas of physical products make it possible to simulate performance, stability, and consumer reactions under real-world conditions. By identifying issues early and refining products virtually, companies can drastically reduce the need for physical testing and avoid costly reformulations down the line.
Crucially, these technologies aren’t just about speed—they also support transparency, traceability, and compliance. With increasingly complex global regulations, especially around labeling and ingredient sourcing, it’s vital for companies to build compliance into the formulation process from the start. Digital workflows make this possible, offering structured data capture, version control, and integrated regulatory checks at every step.
Perfect Formulation from Dassault Systèmes
To support this transformation, solutions like Dassault Systèmes’ Perfect Formulation, part of the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform, provide an end-to-end digital environment for formulation-driven R&D. By bringing together AI, predictive modeling, lab operations, and compliance tools in one place, these platforms help teams collaborate more effectively, innovate faster, and build more sustainable products—without compromising on cost or speed.
For companies seeking to modernize their R&D operations and future-proof their innovation pipelines, embracing digital science-based innovation is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Please read the CIMdata commentary located here
Brian Carboni is the Global Marketing Director for the CPG-Retail Industry at Dassault Systèmes.