Comprised of seaweed cellulose, the brand new ingredient is positioned to assist manufacturers remove microplastics and artificial impurities with out compromising product efficiency.
From Hydration to Flex
Large Kelp Flex follows the 2024 launch of Large Kelp Hydration, a polysaccharide-rich bioactive proven to spice up pores and skin hydration. “We noticed this chance after launching Large Kelp Hydration in early 2024,” Matthew Perkins, CEO of Macro Oceans, instructed CosmeticsDesign.
“We’re working with >100 manufacturers and contract producers nationwide, and we hear repeatedly how they’d prefer to take away artificial supplies from formulation however that there aren’t any good high-performance, all pure options.”
Large Kelp Flex is derived from upcycled seaweed cellulose produced within the firm’s zero-waste biorefinery. “As Large Kelp Hydration was rising, we have been in search of functions for the upcycled cellulose… and we turned that cellulose into Large Kelp Flex,” stated Perkins. “The response from preliminary clients has been electrical.”
R&D advances in seaweed cellulose
In response to Perkins, a key differentiator is the distinctive construction of seaweed cellulose. “In a tree… these fibers are brief and stocky… In distinction, cellulose fibers in seaweed are for much longer and extra versatile,“ he defined. ”This enables the seaweed to flex rhythmically… resisting robust tides, currents, and waves.”
The formulation crew discovered that these properties translated to superior performance. “These lengthy, skinny seaweed fibers can soak up 600x their weight in water creating a novel, easy visco-gel construction that’s thixotropic and shear thinning with out shedding particle suspension within the bottle or on the nozzle throughout software,” he stated. “Which means… it delivers efficiency on par with one of the best synthetics like carbomers and acrylates.”
Colin Hepburn, Chief Expertise Officer, added in a press assertion: “Seaweed cellulose fibers are naturally purer, longer, thinner and extra versatile than different plant-based fibers resembling wooden.”
In response to Hepburn, “this offers them superabsorbent properties and the flexibility to create distinctive visco-gel buildings.”
Addressing key formulation challenges
Large Kelp Flex is designed to deal with persistent formulation challenges in mineral sunscreens and skincare. “Making the proper pure mineral sunscreen is tough,” Perkins stated. “Formulators are compelled to decide on: use an artificial ingredient… to get the mineral particles to evenly disperse or use a pure ingredient… that causes nozzle clogging or white casting.”
Macro Oceans designed Large Kelp Flex to resolve this tradeoff. “This breakthrough ingredient is able to suspending excessive density particles like SPF grade zinc or titanium even at very low viscosities,” Perkins famous. “It’s also possible to use it to create a variety of velvety easy textures mixed with a superb quick-break pores and skin really feel with out the tackiness generally related to xanthan gum and different pure rheology modifiers.”
Scaling up and supporting trade transition
Macro Oceans emphasizes each efficiency and scalability. “The wonderful thing about kelp is that it’s a zero-input crop, that means it grows within the ocean while not having land, recent water, fertilizers or pesticides,” stated Perkins. “And there’s a whole lot of ocean so you may develop a whole lot of it… we’ve seen unimaginable demand from clients and we’re going to be shopping for a whole lot of kelp over the approaching years.”
Large Kelp Flex additionally helps manufacturers looking for to maneuver away from artificial polymers and microplastics. “Large Kelp Flex offers you synthetic-level efficiency… But it surely additionally offers you a 100% pure product, derived from seaweed, made in a zero-waste biorefinery,” he acknowledged.
Outlook on future innovation
Trying forward, Macro Oceans plans to proceed investing in seaweed-based supplies for private care functions. “There are such a lot of issues we will clear up with kelp-based components,” Perkins concluded. “Whereas I can’t reveal any particulars in the mean time, suffice to say our subsequent merchandise are additionally going to mix unimaginable pure efficiency with unimaginable sustainability.”
