As the world moves toward more sustainable practices, industries are being called to rethink how they source, produce, and deliver products. The beauty sector is now turning to the Blue Economy as a way to drive product innovation, protect marine ecosystems, and reduce environmental impact.

Covalo, a worldwide ingredients platform, is starting their Blue Economy campaign which focuses on the intersection of marine conservation and beauty innovation, emphasizing the importance of sourcing responsibly, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable business practices across the supply chain.

Here’s what it’s all about, why it matters in personal care and how different companies are leading this movement.

Why the Blue Economy matters and how it will impact you

At its core, the Blue Economy intersects with all industries, and is about utilizing ocean resources to drive economic growth, while ensuring the health and longevity of marine ecosystems. It goes beyond simply using marine ingredients – it’s about creating circular business models that benefit both the planet and people. Congruently, this is the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14.

For the beauty industry, the Blue Economy means tapping into the potential of marine biotechnology, sustainable packaging innovations, and responsible ingredient sourcing to create products that are both effective and eco-conscious. It’s also known as Blue Beauty, coined by Jeannie Jarnot, health specialist and CEO of Beauty Heroes®, referring to a subsection of sustainability in beauty that incorporates ocean-safe ingredients that are recyclable, reusable or have refillable packaging.

For its campaign, Covalo chose the term Blue Economy as it encompasses a broader vision; to not only create ocean sustainable products, but also foster a larger commitment to protect marine ecosystems and promote practices that benefit both people and the planet.

This campaign highlights the importance of:

• Unpacking the blue economy
• Sustainable sourcing and use of marine ingredients responsibly to protect biodiversity
• Industry impact, benefits, and backing
• Challenges and opportunities

By learning more about the blue economy and embracing the principles, beauty brands can reduce their impact on the oceans and contribute to long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

What Blue Economy means for the beauty industry

Our oceans cover more than 70 percent of our planet.

Unfortunately, more than 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter them every year, and it’s estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. The beauty industry has a substantial role to play as it produces 120 billion units of packaging a year. Similarly, synthetic fragrances, silicones and microplastics pollute water sources and are ingested by marine life.

But the market is changing. The global algae skincare products market is projected to grow from USD 194.8 million in 2024 to USD 316.5 million by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2 percent.

A notable aspect of the start of the blue economy in beauty is the consumer demand for reef-safe sunscreens, with approximately 27 percent of consumers opting for reef-safe options and willing to pay up to more than 14 percent for environmentally friendly products. This shows how consumers are actively making choices that reflect their environmental values.

With the blue economy we are encouraging everyone to rethink every step of creating a new product. We can have a full circle approach towards innovation and sustainability with both better, marine derived ingredients and packaging waste. Ingredients such as sea fennel, marine collagen, seaweed peptides and kelp extracts are gaining popularity among consumers, making marine-based ingredients some of the most exciting innovations to watch in beauty. 

In fact, companies such as Carbonwave are reinventing innovation through the usage of materials that are known to disrupt marine ecosystems, creating beneficial ingredients for skincare and cosmetics. Partnerships made by big industry players like Garnier with important organizations for recycling like Plastics for Change, showcase the industry’s movement for more sustainable waste management while supporting suffering coastal communities.

Coherently, consumers are increasingly drawn to blue beauty. As environmental awareness grows, many are embracing marine-derived ingredients like algae, seaweed, and seawater, perceiving them as both effective and eco-friendly. This shift is fueled by the transparency of brands prioritizing ocean-safe packaging and ethical sourcing. The allure of the Blue Economy lies not just in its innovation, but in its promise to harmonize personal care with planetary well-being, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to Earth’s blue heart.

Platform Insights: The impact Blue Economy is already making

As the go-to platform used daily by more than 6,000 beauty brands to accelerate their product development, Covalo has access to real-time data and insights. By analyzing search activity and patterns from formulators and brands, Covalo can provide fresh insights and trends, helping suppliers and manufacturers stay ahead in a fast-evolving market.

The data doesn’t lie – Covalo’s platform insights confirm that algae-based ingredients are leading the way!

In 2024, four out of the top 10 performing ingredients were algae-based, highlighting the growing interest in marine-derived biotechnology and the sustainable sourcing of algae for cosmetic innovation. Algae ingredients resonate with sustainability values as they bring exceptional benefits both towards the product and towards its carbon footprint, as algae naturally produces oxygen when cultivated.

Covalo is proud to collaborate with some of the industry’s top algae suppliers, Algaktiv, Shanghai Oli Enterprises, CODIF, Carbonwave. These suppliers allow for high-performance, ocean-friendly ingredients to be more accessible to brands focused on sustainable beauty. Algae-based ingredients are a clear standout in the Blue Economy movement, offering powerful benefits for both skin health and environmental sustainability.

Beyond algae, Covalo’s insights show that new marine ingredients are also on the rise, from innovative suppliers like Inclita Seaweed Solutions and Cobiosa. bringing innovation and untapped ocean potential to beauty formulations. By championing this campaign, Covalo aims to inspire brands to rethink their relationship with the ocean. Timo von Bargen, co-founder of Covalo commented:

“The Blue Economy encourages responsible practices and drives forward-thinking solutions to conserve and sustainably use ocean resources. Through this campaign, we’re not just promoting products and services – we’re fostering a movement for sustainability and innovation to protect life below water”.

Join the Movement: How to get Involved

Covalo helps consumer goods companies bring sustainable products to market faster, by empowering them to better connect, collaborate, and transact with their suppliers. The result? A one-stop-shop platform that simplifies and accelerates the consumer goods product development process.

As an industry connector enabling meaningful relationships between brands and suppliers, with a strong focus on sustainability, we are gathering all the relevant perspectives and information on Blue Economy from the industry. This enables us to provide education on where the industry currently stands, and why the Blue Economy is a space to watch, full of opportunities for a more sustainable future.

Don’t want to miss anything about the campaign? Visit our landing page for all our Blue Economy-related content.