The Medical University - Sofia is the oldest institution for higher medical education in Bulgaria (the last registration of MU-Sofia was executed with a decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, published in the government gazette issue 68/year 1995). It is a national academic, scientific and medical institution which develops and conducts scientific, educational and health policies which correspond with the world standards. MU-Sofia is the biggest medical university and it represents a complex structure comprised of 4 faculties, 1 department, 1 college and 14 university hospitals. Within them work many habilitated and non-habilitated teachers, research associates and administrative personnel.

A structurally fundamental part of MU-Sofia is the state educational institution – “Yordanka Filaretova” Medical College. The Medical College is the oldest multi-profile school in the country with established traditions in the education of professionals in the field of healthcare and cosmetic applications. The Medical College’s activity corresponds with the traditions and objectives of MU-Sofia for preparation of highly educated and professionally qualified medical specialists. The Medical College prepares higher education personnel for the “Healthcare” professional field. Approximately 900 students are studying 9 specialities in the college. The Medical College is this unit of MU-Sofia which most extensively deals with nutrition and cosmetics as subjects in the education of the medical students and for this reason the Medical College represents MU-Sofia in the present project.

MU-Sofia’s role in the project

MU-Sofia’s research activity covers a wide range of studies dedicated to finding answers to the wide range of problems related to the individual and public health and healthcare. In these studies nutrition takes a key position as both a factor of risk and prevention for the initiation and development of a number of diseases and is a subject of study in many research projects of MU-Sofia.

Many of MU-Sofia’s studies are dedicated to the dangerous growth and spread of individually and socially significant diseases like obesity, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative, skin and ophthalmic diseases which are reaching epidemic proportions. The results of those studies often remain within the folders of the scientific researches, in the best case scenario they reach a limited number of medical specialists which act as intermediaries between science and its end users – the average people. This way the efficiency of the application of the scientific knowledge remains low due to dependence on the subjective abilities and motivation of the individual medical specialist. In the same time the modern technologies offer broad possibilities for application of the scientific knowledge about nutrition in practice through the use of laboratory equipment for research and analysis in combination with the use of the achievements of information technology for the distribution of knowledge. Currently, the use of these opportunities to ensure human health is severely limited by material and organizational barriers.

In this project, the Medical University - Sofia aims to lay the foundations of the missing bridge between the scientific achievements in medicine, the scientific advances in laboratory research and analysis, the scientific advances in information technology and the health needs of the people. The construction of appropriate laboratory, combined with powerful information tools as the global network (Web) will allow selective and specific approach to the study of food and cosmetic products combined with the creation of recommendations for diets and cosmetic regimes, depending on the quality and safety of food and cosmetic products, traditions and needs of an individual or population.

The role of the partner MU-Sofia in the project is to coordinate the organization of the Cluster, to set the requirements in terms of provision of individual and group health and subsequently to provide the Cluster with the necessary scientific and laboratory information, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods and means for analysis and distribution of the Cluster’s work results.

At the same time, the scientific expertise gained during the work of the cluster will be used to enrich the learning process in the MU-Sofia in order to improve and develop the training of medical specialists in nutrition and beauty care. This process will also be supported through the development of facilities for the project, ensuring a high-level laboratory and information base.

eFerma Ltd. is an independent consulting firm founded in Sofia in February 2001. It was established by a group of experts on nutrition as a spin-off of the first advisory bureau for feeding farm animals in Bulgaria - "PROVIMI advisory bureau."

eFerma is in close cooperation with European institutions such as the Institute for Animal Food in Braunschweig - Germany, the consulting company "Agroprodukt - Quality Assurance" - Germany, the certifying company IFTA - Germany and others. The company is also working with various world-renowned European companies such as KOUDIJS FEED, TOPIGS, PORCON Pig Equipment, VELTKAMP Insemination technics, OTTEVANGER Milling Engineers, HESY, ALKE AGRO, JAN STEENBERGEN BV, INTERBOVES and others. Thanks to the many years of experience in the field and ten years of experience as an independent consulting firm eFerma has built partnerships with a number of Bulgarian institutions and business representatives.

A significant place in the scientific interests of the company is occupied by the study of the possibilities for the digital organization of expert scientific knowledge in nutrition in order to make it effectively accessible to a wide range of users. The idea for it was conceived when eFerma was developing information systems in the field of nutrition for the purposes of which such expert scientific knowledge has to be provided from different sources. The strong dynamics of this knowledge requires specialized tools for its effective application in the formation of dietary recommendations.

eFerma’s role in the Cluster is to handle everything related to the field of “Nutrition” and to coordinate the planning, organization and execution of projects and programs.

Apitrade Ltd. is a company established in 1991 in Plovdiv, it focuses on processing and marketing of pure natural honey with guaranteed product quality and safety which reach the end users. The raw material is purchased exclusively from registered beekeepers. There is strict incoming and outgoing control of the raw materials, the packaging and the finished products. During the processing of the honey all technological requirements are met in order to ensure the preservation of the specific qualities of this natural product. The company has developed its own technology which guarantees that the honey won’t crystallize for as long as six months, without the use of any chemical or thermal procedures. The honey is poured into different types of packages based on type and weight. The production is marked with ЕАН-13 barcodes in accordance with the European standards. Currently the production capacity of the company is 100 tons per month. The company has an integrated management system - IFS, HACCP, ISO 9001: 2008 and all required licenses to export to the European Union and all other countries. Our products are well known in Bulgaria as well as in Greece, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, Russia and other countries. The company is a domestic market leader in the acquisition and processing of honey, holding 63%. Apitrade Ltd. is the third biggest exporter of honey in the EU.

The "Bulgarian Rose" – Karlovo factory was created in 1948 on the basis of the already existing Karlovo valley distilleries used for the processing of essential oil raw materials. In 1976 the factories in Karlovo, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, Gorna Oryahovitsa and Shumen are united in the "Bulgarian Rose" Kombinat with headquarters in Karlovo. In the same year, a Base for development and implementation was created. In the 1983 – 1996 period the company went through a few transformations.

In 1997 the company was privatized and transformed into a joint stock company. The development and commercialization of cosmetic products begins in the year 2000 which completes the cycle from the production of raw materials for cosmetics to the production of finished products. ,, Bulgarian Rose" SA is an established manufacturer of:
• natural aromatic products - essential oils, natural water distillations (rose, lavender, camomile, lemon balm, salvieva etc.) and extraction products
• perfumery and cosmetic products
• synthetic flavorings
• fragrance and flavors
• flavors for the tobacco industry
In the same time the company continues the development and production of new assortments of perfumery and cosmetic products.

The distribution network of the company covers the entire country and is divided into 8 regions: 1. Rousse - Svishtov - Veliko Tarnovo - Shumen - Silistra - Tutrakan; 2. Montana - Vratsa - Troyan - Pleven; 3. Kostinbrod - Pernik - Ihtiman - Elin Pelin - Sofia; 4. Kyustendil - Dupnitsa - Blagoevgrad - Sandanski - Petrich; 5. South Bulgaria region with headquarters in Plovdiv and Dimitrovgrad; 6. South coast region from Obzor to Ahtopol with headquarters in Burgas; 7. North coast region from Biala to Kavarna with headquarters in Varna; 8. Sliven - Zlatitsa region with headquarters in Karlovo.

The company has stores in Sofia, Plovdiv, Pleven, Sandanski, Velingrad and Karlovo. The company distributes its production through a network of companies in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, England, Ukraine, Russia and Moldova which are provided with exclusive distribution rights. "Bulgarian rose" SA holds 19% of the cosmetics market in Bulgaria. About 80% of its turnover comes from foreign markets.

Ikarov Ltd. is a cosmetics company based in Plovdiv. It offers products made entirely out of vegetable and essential oils, herbal extracts and other active ingredients of natural origin. They are very good biostimulators which help maintain the health and beauty of the skin.

Ikarov Ltd. offers thirteen types of pure vegetable oils, aromatic oils for the face, hair, body and nails along with cosmetic products with active natural ingredients. It has a developed distribution network in the major cities of the country - Sofia, Varna, Bourgas. It holds 4% of the market for this type of cosmetic products in the country. The marketing strategy of the company is aimed at boosting foreign market sales. In 2012 they increased by 5% and now they make for 45% of all the sold products. Ikarov Ltd. has offices in Poland and the Czech Republic, in which it also develops a distribution network.

"Lavena" SA is registered as a joint stock company with headquarters in the town of Shumen. The Company has 50 year old tradition in the production and marketing of cosmetics and liquid medicines. In 1990 the "Bulgarian Rose" factory in the city of Shumen became a Joint-stock company under the commercial brand "Lavena". In 1994 the company was privatized. It focuses on the production and trade of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products and essential oils within the country and abroad. Since 2007, the main shareholder of "Lavena" SA is "Baltimore" Ltd. Sofia. This laid the foundation for a new and intensive development of the company, particularly in the field of baby and children's cosmetics. "Lavena" SA produces essential oils, hair care cosmetics, children's cosmetics, face and body cosmetics and aromatherapy products. "Lavena" aims to increase its market share in the category "Kids & Baby Care" in which its brand "Bochko" is a leader in brand awareness and sales. Parallel to the actions for strengthening its market positions in the Bulgarian market the company is working on the adaptation of the products for foreign markets under the trademark "Bochko". The company offers a wide range of hand creams, face creams, massage oils and shampoos all of which are well established on the market. The company also works in other subcategories of the cosmetic market and the market of biocidal products in order to diversify and enrich its production. With the entry into force of the European Cosmetics Regulation (EC) № 1223/2009 on 11 July 2013 “Lavena” will focus its efforts on the production of safe cosmetic products which will be produced in accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practices. “Lavena” doesn’t have its own distribution network or stores and sells its products through the already established commercial network within the country. The company holds 10% market share of cosmetics market in the country. The main part of its turnover comes from the domestic market. About 24% of its turnover comes from abroad – mainly Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Rosa Impex Ltd. was founded in 1991 as the first private company in Bulgaria which manufactured cosmetic products. Rosa Impex Ltd. has been successfully developing for 22 years and today is one of the leading manufacturers of cosmetic products in Bulgaria. The company is based in the city of Plovdiv. The company manufactures and sells products in two categories:
• Hair care products - hair dyes, shampoos, conditioners and hair masks, styling products (foam and lacquer) and toning conditioners.
• Skin care products - creams for the face, hands and body; toilet milks and tonics; cosmetic masks, aromatherapeutic products, products with natural extracts and others.

Rosa Impex Ltd. manufactures products under the trademarks Prestige, Regal, Galant, Capital, Color Time, Blond Time, Herbal Time, DeColor Time, Scala, SPA MASTER and PROFESSIONAL MASTER, which are well known to the clients in over 30 countries worldwide. Currently the portfolio of Rosa Impex Ltd. INCLUDES_EN more than 250 products. Rosa Impex Ltd has a distribution network in the country and abroad. Rozaimpeks Trade Ltd. is the company’s distributor for the Bulgarian market. It is a trading company 100% owned by the cosmetics company Rosa Impex Ltd. It is its exclusive distributor for the Bulgarian market. Rozaimpeks Trade Ltd has 5 regional offices in the cities of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and Pleven, which allow it to deliver the products of Roza Impex Ltd. to almost every location in the country. Currently the companyi's products can be found in over 3000 retail outlets throughout the country. Cosmetics company Rosa Impex Ltd. has distributors in various countries around the world such as:
1. Albania
2. Austria
3. Algeria
4. Armenia
5. Azerbaijan
6. Belarus
7. Belgium
8. Georgia
9. Greece
10. Estonia
11. Iraq
12. Iran
13. Spain
14. Italy
15. Jordan
16. Kazakhstan
17. Cyprus
18. Kyrgyzstan
19. Latvia
20. Lithuania
21. Moldova
22. Mongolia
23. UAE, Dubai
24. Poland
25. Portugal
26. Romania
27. Russia
28. Saudi Arabia
29. Tajikistan
30. Turkey
31. Ukraine
32. Uzbekistan
33. France

85% of the company’s turnover comes from abroad and 15% comes from the domestic market. Rosa Impex Ltd. holds 9.5% share of the domestic market for cosmetics products.

Rubella is a leading Bulgarian cosmetics company with nearly 20-year-long traditions in the production and trade with hygienic and cosmetic products which is headquartered in the town of Rudozem. The ultimate goal of the company's management has always been the production of modern innovative cosmetic products with consistent quality and safe for human health. Rubella’s products are not tested on animals but in internationally recognized laboratories and institutions such as Fresenius - Germany, Lowenstein Institute - USA, IEC /Institute for clinical expertise/ - France. Currently, this is the only Bulgarian manufacturer that has all existing certificates for the production of cosmetics. In 2004, the product manager of Rubella was awarded “Product Manager of the Year”. It won the prestigious awards Superbrand 2009 and 2010 for the brands “Deva” and “Dental”. Thanks to the modern management system, the great potential of the technological base and the successful product policy which follows the global trends in the cosmetics industry, the volume of the production increases by about 20% every year. Its product range INCLUDES_EN over 1000 products. About 600 of them are sold on the Bulgarian market. They are divided into several groups: oral hygiene, hair care, cosmetics for face and body, etc.

Herbamedica was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Sofia. It is one of the leading companies in Bulgaria for the production and distribution of food supplements. The range of over 60 products is intended for treatment and prevention of various diseases. They cover major organ and system dysfunctions and follow the basic holistic approach of treating the root of the disease. Thanks to the abundance of herbs, the traditions in herbalism and the love towards nature, Herbamedica’s product range has a steadily growing reputation amongst doctors, occupational therapists and pharmacists. Herbamedica aims to maintain the highest quality of production through: the use of natural raw materials from certified producers, systematic control on each stage of production process and implementation of the most modern methods of treatment of natural ingredients to enhance their effectiveness. Herbamedica is well known on the international markets. Its products are sold through partner companies in Canada, USA, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Lithuania and Slovenia. Herbamedica develops its own network of clinics - DeTox Center, offering patients nationwide alternative methods for diagnostics and therapy: iridology, phytotherapy, ozone therapy, colon hydrotherapy, non smoking therapy, NeoControl therapy - therapy for the pelvic musculature, Oligo and Lithotherapy, bioresonance and chelation therapy as well as feces diagnostics in partnership with the German laboratories – Vitalan. Herbamedka’s products are distributed in the Republic of Bulgaria through the national distributors: "Sopharma Trading" AD, "Sting"AD, "Libra" EAD, "Higia" EAD, "Plamar" EOOD, "MSM-Gaz" OOD. On the international markets the company's products are distributed through an international distribution network, which INCLUDES_EN: “Elanatura” - the Czech Republic, Slovenia; “Herba medika MK” Ltd. - Macedonia; “Completely green” Inc. - Canada, USA.

Herbamedica’s products are tested in the Vitalan Medical Lab Services laboratory - Germany. The company holds 29% of the domestic food supplements market. 67% of the company’s turnover comes from foreign markets.