As part of the “Women Job Creators” initiative led by the Union for the Mediterranean, Hajer Derouiche, co-founder of Actifs Précieux, has been highlighted for her inspiring journey and her commitment to sustainable innovation and circular economy in the Mediterranean region.
Actifs Précieux is a deeptech startup specializing in supercritical CO₂ extraction of high-value botanical ingredients. With facilities in Tunisia and France, the company transforms local natural resources—such as Aleppo pine, nigella, pistachio, date seeds, and rose—into premium plant extracts for the cosmetics, nutrition, and wellness industries.
Interview with Hajer Derouiche
How did Actifs Précieux come to life?
“It was born out of both scientific expertise and a deep connection to the Mediterranean land. I wanted to create an independent company rooted in nature, blending cutting-edge technology with ethical sourcing.”
What role does the Mediterranean play in your vision?
“Everything we do is tied to Mediterranean biodiversity. We extract only from plants native to this region and work closely with local agricultural cooperatives to create short, transparent supply chains.”
What does this recognition from the Union for the Mediterranean mean to you?
“It confirms that meaningful innovation can arise from the South, and that women entrepreneurs have a crucial role to play in shaping sustainable industries across borders.”
Profile from the UfM article
Hajer Derouiche, founder of an innovative startup
On her very first day at engineering school in Tunis, Hajer Derouiche was warned by the director of the institution “to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers, since there is a lack of sufficient outlets”.
Degree in hand and inspired by her mother’s own entrepreneurial career, Hajer Derouiche founded ACTIFS PRECIEUX, an innovative startup that produces plant extracts based on natural raw materials of Mediterranean origin. Her company now employs around twenty people, two-thirds of whom are women, mostly university graduates.
The journey wasn’t always easy. In particular, Hajer admits to having “wasted a lot of time raising funds … three years in all!”. Competitive and driven by a love of learning, Hajer trained herself in many areas, putting in “a lot of personal effort” to ensure her company’s survival.
“In the extraction business, you need certain expertise but there are other facets of the job that mean you’re always learning. You need to have a lot of love, patience and ask yourself a lot of questions … you have to be very flexible.”
Above all, it’s a question of supporting these innovative companies through technical assistance to strengthen their capacity to access markets, both national and international, which requires support in terms of digital marketing and compliance with standards.
Hajer hopes that “with our brand, we will touch consumers’ hearts and our expertise in botany and natural extracts will be recognised. That’s how we can achieve our sales goals and establish the right international reputation.”
Read the full article on the Union for the Mediterranean website:
[https://ufmsecretariat.org/women-job-creators-tun
