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New distribution right for world's first seaweed-based emulsifier

  • SeaBalance 2000: A seaweed-based cosmetic emulsifier made from upcycled sargassum seaweed. 100% natural and suitable for body and cosmetic applications
  • Distribution rights agreed for the DACH region, Poland and the Baltic States
  • Biesterfeld continues the ongoing expansion of its sustainability portfolio

Hamburg, March 23, 2023 - Biesterfeld, one of the world's leading distributors in the field of plastics, rubber and specialty chemicals, is taking over the distribution of Carbonwave's SeaBalance 2000 product for the DACH region, Poland and the Baltic States on an exclusive basis with immediate effect. Carbonwave is a public benefit corporation whose mission is to enable gigaton-scale carbon drawdown by processing Sargassum seaweed into ultra-regenerative, plant-based, advanced biomaterials.

Upcycling seaweed

Historically, Sargassum seaweed mats have been well known in the North Atlantic Ocean. But the last decade of warming ocean temperatures, and increased fertilizer and pollutant runoff, have triggered a new mass yearly phenomenon in the Caribbean. The great Atlantic Sargassum belt, as it is known, has become the largest seaweed bloom on the planet, stretching from West Africa to Caribbean. Doubling in mass every 10 days, tens of millions of tons of Sargassum clogs bays and beaches, reduces tourism, and harms fragile ecosystems for species like reefs and sea turtles, As it amasses and decomposes on beaches, it releases vast amounts of methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas which increases the pace of global warming.

Carbonwave is a public benefit start-up that has been the first to develop the science necessary to upcycle Sargassum into high-value biomaterials. By upcycling the algae, Carbonwave is helping clean up beaches, create local jobs, and prevent 850 kg of CO2 equivalent from being released in the form of methane gas with each wet tonne collected; this is the same CO2 amount that 50 trees growing for an entire year will sequester.

SeaBalance 2000: Powerful and sustainable bio-emulsifier

SeaBalance is the world's first seaweed-based cosmetic emulsifier and an extremely versatile, all-natural raw material that can be used in a wide range of personal care and cosmetic applications. The water-soluble O/W emulsifier can be formulated cold or hot and combined with a wide range of emollients. It is COSMOS approved, PEG-free and delivers a soft, silky texture and light skin feel to the formulation. In addition, it can be used at pH of 3.5.

"SeaBalance 2000 not only fits perfectly into our existing portfolio of cosmetic emulsifiers, but is another step towards structuring our entire product portfolio in an even more sustainable way. We are delighted to have Carbonwave as a new partner with whom we can further develop the growing markets for sustainable raw materials and resources in the DACH region, Poland and the Baltic States together," says Jyle Garleff, Product Manager, Biesterfeld Spezialchemie.

"As we launch across Europe, we have found in Biesterfeld a trusted partner who is not only committed to championing sustainability in the industry, but also has a great deal of technical application expertise, knows markets, and understands customer needs. We look forward to a successful cooperation in these key European regions." says Jeff Yeh, Vice President of Personal Care, Carbonwave.

About Biesterfeld Spezialchemie

Biesterfeld Spezialchemie is one of the leading international distributors of specialty chemical products, pharma and food ingredients. The company offers extensive market knowledge and tailor-made, application-based technical advice across a diverse product portfolio. It focuses on the requirements of selected industries, including composites and tooling, personal care and cleaning, healthcare, paints and coatings, adhesives, polyurethane, construction, nutrition, food supplements, electric, electronic and energy.

Biesterfeld Spezialchemie is a division of the Biesterfeld Group, one of the world's leading distribution and service companies in the field of plastics, rubber and specialty chemicals. Founded in 1906 in Hamburg, Germany, today the group has more than 1000 employees across 50 locations in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa and generates an annual revenue of 1.4 billion EUR. The fully family-owned company operates in the business divisions Biesterfeld Plastic, Biesterfeld Spezialchemie and Biesterfeld Performance Rubber.

About Carbonwave 

Carbonwave is the world's leading developer of ultra-regenerative, plant-based, advanced biomaterials from seaweed. The company transforms Sargassum seaweed, a resource long considered waste which does not need land or other inputs to grow, into biomaterials which replace petroleum products and other harmful industrial inputs. Carbonwave is part of a new wave of companies that are building the next-generation economies that will heal the planet through materials that are regeneratively sourced from our oceans. For more information, please visit www.carbonwave.com.

 

Press contact

Sebastian Lühmann

Ferdinandstraße 41

20095 Hamburg, Germany

Phone: +49 40 32008-678

s.luehmann@biesterfeld.com         

www.biesterfeld.com        

 

 

Product contact

Jyle Garleff

Ferdinandstraße 41

20095 Hamburg, Germany

Phone: +49 40 32008-740

j.garleff@biesterfeld.com

www.biesterfeld.com        

 

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