April 22nd 2025 – Leading UK full-service beauty and cosmetics manufacturer, THG LABS, has joined forces with biomaterials developer Carbonwave in a partnership which aims to enhance the environmental profile of its extensive formulation library while reducing the impact of ecologically harmful Sargassum seaweed. 

The collaboration will see THG LABS utilise Carbonwave’s revolutionary bio-derived natural emulsifier – SeaBalance® 2000, sourced from Sargassum seaweed – to create new skincare, haircare, suncare and body care products. 

For years, Sargassum seaweed has been piling up in the Caribbean and surrounding beaches, causing significant ecological and economic disruptions. This invasive seaweed not only devastates marine ecosystems but also releases harmful methane gases as it decomposes on shorelines. By harvesting and upcycling this abundant natural resource, THG LABS and Carbonwave aim to mitigate these environmental impacts, transforming a problem into a sustainable solution. 

SeaBalance® 2000, the world's first emulsifier upcycled from Sargassum seaweed, uses a proprietary green chemistry process to create an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier that works within a wide range of emollients and applications in both hot & cold processes. 

Certified by COSMOS without any animal origins, SeaBalance® 2000 has been clinically proven to deliver moisturisation, and reinforcement of the skin barrier with a smooth and silky silicon-like feel. It also aligns with vegan, halal, and kosher standards.  Opting for SeaBalance® empowers formulators to make a real sustainability impact without compromising on performance.    

46% (of survey respondents*) say they are buying more sustainable products to reduce their personal impact on the environment. (*20,000 consumers across 31 countries, PwC Voice of the Consumer Survey, 2024) THG LABS is committed to embedding sustainability into the heart of beauty product development and manufacturing. As a result, THG LABS continually finds new ways to reduce the environmental footprint of formulations for world-renowned beauty brands. 

 Key Benefits of SeaBalance® 2000:  

• Environmental Impact: The use of Sargassum seaweed helps reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to the fight against climate change.  
• Ocean Health Restoration: By removing excessive seaweed, the initiative helps restore the natural balance of marine ecosystems.  
• Economic Value: This innovative approach provides economic benefits to coastal communities affected by the seaweed influx, creating new job opportunities in seaweed collection and processing.  

Kristal Goodman, Head of Product Innovation, THG LABS said: “We are committed to embedding sustainability into the heart of beauty product development and manufacturing, and we are always challenging ourselves to stay ahead of the curve with our ideas, processes and technologies. Having been among the first to use the new upcycled emulsifier from Carbonwave, we are excited to have a library of tested formulations that are already ready-to-go using SeaBalance® 2000.” 

Jeff Yeh, VP of Sales, Carbonwave, said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with THG LABS to develop a comprehensive range of formulations that focus not only on sustainability, but also the luxurious and light, silicon-like skin feel of SeaBalance®. Their seasoned formulation team is already harnessing the potential of SeaBalance®’s Pickering-based emulsion technology for customers in the UK and beyond. Most importantly, partnering with THG LABS will support the acceleration of our own mission to achieve significant climate, health, and environmental benefits via upcycling of Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean and Mexico.”   

ENDS

Notes to Editors: 

About THG LABS
THG LABS is a UK-based global cosmetics product developer and manufacturer for world-leading beauty brands across skincare, suncare, haircare, body care, and fragrance. With expertise in Innovation, R&D, Packaging Development, Design, Process and Production, THG LABS end-to-end service project management offers clients support and solutions at every stage of the product journey. 

About Carbonwave
Carbonwave, a Public Benefit Corporation, is the world’s leading developer of ultra-regenerative, plant-based, advanced biomaterials from seaweed. The company has operations in Mexico, where it collects Sargassum from the beaches of the Cancun area of the Yucatan peninsula, a manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico, and corporate office in Boston. The company uses a proprietary approach to turn Sargassum – long considered waste – into materials that can restore coastal habitats, reduce methane emissions and prevent localised environmental pollution. The company produces a range of products from agricultural extracts to bio-leathers and personal care ingredients. Carbonwave was the fastest blue carbon project to be approved by the Gold Standard and recently made Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies of 2024.   

For further information, please contact:  

Jessica Lawther - Head of Marketing and Communications, THG LABS Jessica.lawther@thglabs.com