If the beauty ingredient track revolved around “sustainability” in recent years, 2025’s new narrative will focus on an even more transformative technology—using carbon dioxide to produce high-performance surfactants.
This sounds incredible to many—isn’t CO₂ just a greenhouse gas? How does it connect to cosmetic surfactants? This article will uncover its little-known side and explore the latest cosmetic surfactant technology.
It is understood that the launch of Recreaire™ carbonate ethoxylate surfactants—the world’s first surfactant range with CO₂ as a key raw material—by UK-based Econic Technologies marks the beauty ingredient sector’s entry into the third phase of innovation cycles centered on “carbon capture and utilization”.
Part 01: CO₂ Backbone – A Disruptive Platform Technology
Traditional alcohol ether surfactants often rely heavily on petrochemically derived ethylene oxide, with their production inevitably involving fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
The core breakthrough of Recreaire™ lies in its platform technology. During synthesis, it ingeniously incorporates and “embeds” up to 45% of captured industrial waste gas CO₂ molecules, generating brand-new carbonate ethoxylates through catalytic reactions.
Simon Bennett, Commercial Director of Surfactants at Econic, stated confidently: “Recreaire™ is a game-changing technology.”
Recreaire™ technology not only produces “mainstream” surfactants meeting basic needs but also enables precise customization of molecules with special properties by adjusting CO₂ incorporation levels.
It is recognized as the ideal alternative to Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates (FAE) and can be applied in high-performance ethoxysulfates, among other products.
Econic has initially launched three concept products as equivalent replacements for traditional FAE:
- Seamlessly integrates with traditional non-ionic, anionic, and cationic formulation systems.
- Liquid form ensures excellent fluidity and processability, facilitating production and mixing.
- Odorless or low-odor, ideal for high-end skincare and transparent cleansing products.
- Maintains stability across a wide range of pH levels and temperatures.
Anthea Blackburn, Technical Director of Surfactants at Econic, added: “By unlocking the potential of CO₂ molecules, Recreaire™ surfactants demonstrate compelling strength in both technical performance and sustainability.”
The launch of Recreaire™ builds a strong green barrier for downstream brands, offering solutions to the increasingly stringent requirements for LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and “carbon data”.
Compared with traditional FAE, using Recreaire™ can reduce the Global Warming Potential (GWP) by up to 65%. When comparing hydrophobic components alone, the carbon emission reduction can even reach 75%.
Recreaire™ is not only an innovation in the beauty industry but also a key part of Econic’s broader renewable carbon technology product portfolio. Previously, Econic’s polyol products made from CO₂ have been successfully commercialized, verifying the maturity of its technology.
Recreaire™ is an innovative technology developed by UK-based Econic Technologies to produce high-performance surfactants using carbon dioxide. During synthesis, it embeds up to 45% of CO₂ molecules into the molecular structure through catalytic reactions, creating brand-new carbonate ethoxylates.
Founded in 2011 by Professor Charlotte Williams from the University of Oxford, Econic Technologies has completed Series D financing, raising a total of 46.8 million US dollars with investments from 13 institutions including CM Venture Capital.
Currently, Econic has initially launched three concept products as equivalent replacements for traditional FAE: Recreaire™ 10RC30, Recreaire™ 13RC28, and Recreaire™ 14RC21. Among them, Recreaire™ 10RC30 is suitable for I&I cleaning and personal care; Recreaire™ 13RC28 for coatings and agriculture; and Recreaire™ 14RC21 for metalworking fluids and lubricants.
- The production of traditional FAE relies on petrochemically derived ethylene oxide, which involves fossil fuel consumption. If more environmentally friendly and cost-effective production technologies emerge in the future, FAE’s market share is expected to gradually decline.
- Additionally, while FAE itself is relatively safe, by-products such as 1,4-dioxane may be generated during production, posing potential health risks.
Leecosmetic: Using raw materials from internationally renowned companies
Leecosmetic is a
leading cosmetics manufacturer. It provides high – quality cosmetics products at very competitive prices and with low minimum order quantities.
As a fast – growing private label cosmetics manufacturer, Leecosmetic has been using raw materials from internationally renowned companies in a safe and efficient manner.
Contact: https://leecosmetic.com/contactus/
