Figure 1: Formulated consumer product design cycle. Adapted
from the original pictures2,3
Then, in the product realization phase, technical teams are in charge of the next steps (steps 3 and 4 in Figure 1): product formulation, prototyping, manufacturing, and validation of required specifications. At the end of this cycle, if the prototype meets the given specifications, the product is ready to be launched into the market; otherwise, the process should restart. Very often, modifications are made in terms of the composition, along with the product realization phase. Their consequences in product performance may be multiple and hard to predict. Product reformulations may significantly affect product properties, including changes in product microstructure and thus in the perception of the product by the consumer.5