Canton, Ohio – March 26, 2024 – Carbonwave and ChemSpec Ltd, a member of Safic-Alcan, announce a new distribution agreement for SeaBalance® 2000 and SeaBalance® 2000 CH, an innovative, upcycled oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier for the cosmetics and personal care market. Under this agreement, ChemSpec Ltd will distribute SeaBalance® products across the United States, west of the Mississippi River.
This partnership reinforces Safic-Alcan’s commitment to expanding access to sustainable, high-performance personal care ingredients while supporting innovative solutions that address environmental challenges.
A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Personal Care Ingredients
As consumer demand continues to grow for naturally derived and environmentally responsible cosmetic ingredients, Carbonwave and ChemSpec Ltd join forces to bring a next-generation emulsifier to formulators and manufacturers in the Western US.
ChemSpec Ltd’s deep expertise in formulation development, market support, and specialty ingredient distribution makes it a strong partner for introducing SeaBalance® 2000 to innovative cosmetic brands seeking performance without compromise.
SeaBalance® 2000: The World’s First Upcycled Emulsifier from Sargassum Seaweed
SeaBalance® 2000 is the world’s first emulsifier created from upcycled sargassum seaweed, using a proprietary green chemistry process. Designed as a versatile oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier, it is compatible with a wide range of emollients and performs effectively in both hot and cold processing.
Key benefits of SeaBalance® 2000 include:
- Natural, multi-functional O/W emulsification
- Smooth, silky, silicone-like skin feel
- Reduced whitening and greasiness in suncare formulations
- Clinically proven moisturization and skin barrier reinforcement
Certified by COSMOS and free from animal origins, SeaBalance® 2000 aligns with vegan, halal, and kosher standards, making it suitable for a wide variety of clean beauty and conscious formulation strategies.
Award-Winning Innovation Recognized Globally
SeaBalance® 2000 has received multiple international accolades for its innovation and sustainability impact, including:
- Green Ingredient Award (Gold) – in-cosmetics Latin America 2023
- Sustainable Cosmetics Summit Brazil (Gold) – 2023
- Innovation Zone Best Ingredient Award – in-cosmetics Korea 2022
These awards highlight the ingredient’s ability to deliver exceptional cosmetic performance while advancing sustainability goals.
As the cosmetics industry increasingly embraces upcycled raw materials, SeaBalance® 2000 stands out as a powerful example of environmental stewardship. By transforming sargassum seaweed—previously considered waste—into a high-value cosmetic ingredient, Carbonwave helps:
- Reduce methane emissions
- Restore marine and coastal ecosystems
- Support local employment in the Caribbean and Mexico
By choosing SeaBalance®, formulators can make a measurable sustainability impact without sacrificing formulation performance or sensory appeal.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
About ChemSpec Ltd (A Safic-Alcan Company)
ChemSpec Ltd is a management-owned chemical distribution firm headquartered in Canton, Ohio, and a subsidiary of Safic-Alcan, based in Paris, France. ChemSpec also operates subsidiaries in Mexico and Canada. The company distributes specialty and commodity chemical additives, polymers, and innovative ingredients to markets including elastomers, coatings, adhesives, sealants, inks, plastics compounding, and cosmetics and personal care. ChemSpec’s cosmetics division is distinguished by its diverse portfolio, focus on naturality and sustainability, high-performing ingredients, and strong formulation support.
About Safic-Alcan
Safic-Alcan is a French independent distributor of specialty chemicals headquartered in Paris La Défense. The Company develops and provides wide ranges of polymers, materials and additives for the rubber, coatings, adhesives, thermoplastics, polyurethane, lubricants, detergency, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals industries. With a network of 44 offices strategically located in Europe, Turkey, Middle East, North America, Mexico, South America, China and South Africa, and 1000+ employees, the company generated a turnover of €907 million in 2024.
About Carbonwave
Carbonwave, a Boston-based Public Benefit Corporation, is a global leader in the development of ultra-regenerative, plant-based biomaterials from seaweed. The company operates in Mexico, where it collects sargassum seaweed from the Yucatán Peninsula, and manufactures products in Puerto Rico.
Using a proprietary approach, Carbonwave transforms seaweed into advanced materials that help restore soils and oceans, eliminate microplastics, and support carbon neutrality. Its product portfolio spans agriculture, personal care ingredients, and bio-based materials. Carbonwave was the fastest blue carbon project approved by the Gold Standard and was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024.