Zanea Seaweed Co., Our Carrageenan Raw Material Provider, Achieves B Corp Certification

In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, environmental and social responsibility, Zanea Seaweed Co., Ltd. has achieved B Corp Certification from the nonprofit B Lab. CP Kelco is the parent company of Zanea Seaweed Co., which was established as a local base of operations to work directly with farmers along the African coast who provide red seaweed as raw material for our GENU®, GENUGEL®, GENULACTA®, GENU® Texturizer, GENUTINE® and GENUVISCO® Carrageenans.

B Corp Certification is a unique designation that a company is meeting high standards by measuring its entire social and environmental impact. The ”B” stands for ”benefit for all,” which means this certification recognizes our holistic approach to prioritize people, planet and profit equally. Zanea Seaweed Co. was measured across a range of responsibilities as varied as…

Environment

Protecting the mangroves and nearby forest land, minimizing waste and deforestation by planting 20,000 trees per year.

Employees

Providing training, benefits, supplies, and a culture that improves the standard of living for women and children in the community.

Customers

Delivering a high-quality product. Customers can feel good about having a B Corp. certified supplier in their value chain.

Communities

Supporting the coastal communities where we work: building and supporting new schools, hospitals and more.

Transparency and accountability are key factors. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, not just shareholders. This accountability helps foster a business environment where companies are incentivized to pursue more sustainable and ethical practices.

The certification from B Lab serves as a trusted symbol for customers and consumers seeking socially and environmentally responsible products and services. It helps differentiate certified companies in the marketplace and builds trust with customers who prioritize sustainability.

Overall, B Corp Certification represents a commitment to using business as a force for good and provides a roadmap for companies to become more sustainable, accountable and impactful in the long term.

The Community that Carrageenan Built

It’s a mild and sunny day on the island state of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania. A group of women are gathered in front of ZANEA Seaweed Company to say hello, pick up supplies and start work at the seaweed farms that dot the shores.

Known in Swahili as mwani, seaweed cultivation involves tying seedlings onto ropes that are submerged in the water enough for it to be covered at low tide. Some of the crops are ready to be harvested and laid on screens to dry in the sun before being packed in sacks and exported to CP Kelco’s plant in Skensved, Denmark. The red seaweed tended by these women will soon become GENU®, GENUGEL®, GENULACTA®, GENU® Texturizer, GENUTINE® and GENUVISCO® Carrageenans.

It’s a mild and sunny day on the island state of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania. A group of women are gathered in front of ZANEA Seaweed Company to say hello, pick up supplies and start work at the seaweed farms that dot the shores.

Known in Swahili as mwani, seaweed cultivation involves tying seedlings onto ropes that are submerged in the water enough for it to be covered at low tide. Some of the crops are ready to be harvested and laid on screens to dry in the sun before being packed in sacks and exported to CP Kelco’s plant in Skensved, Denmark. The red seaweed tended by these women will soon become GENU®, GENUGEL®, GENULACTA®, GENU® Texturizer, GENUTINE® and GENUVISCO® Carrageenans.

A Better Way of Life

For centuries, coastal communities have relied on the sea to support their way of life. However, aquaculture or aquatic farming is only decades old. CP Kelco began farming seaweed in Zanzibar in 1990 and helped to establish the ZANEA Seaweed Company soon afterwards for a local support base.

It has played an important role in improving the standard of living here – especially for women, who make up around 70% of the workforce and obtain a meaningful cash income for their skills. Their success can be seen in the increase in bank accounts in the area, improved homes and infrastructure, and, most importantly, the number of children receiving an education.

For centuries, coastal communities have relied on the sea to support their way of life. However, aquaculture or aquatic farming is only decades old. CP Kelco began farming seaweed in Zanzibar in 1990 and helped to establish the ZANEA Seaweed Company soon afterwards for a local support base.

It has played an important role in improving the standard of living here – especially for women, who make up around 70% of the workforce and obtain a meaningful cash income for their skills. Their success can be seen in the increase in bank accounts in the area, improved homes and infrastructure, and, most importantly, the number of children receiving an education.

This year, a new hospital will open on land donated by CP Kelco and ZANEA Seaweed Company. Its location was specifically chosen to support women in more remote areas of the community, where having nearby maternity care is critical to avoid complications.

Through grants from its nonprofit Huber Helps™ program, CP Kelco recently purchased a solar water pump for one of the villages, providing clean water for up to 2,000 people.

This year, a new hospital will open on land donated by CP Kelco and ZANEA Seaweed Company. Its location was specifically chosen to support women in more remote areas of the community, where having nearby maternity care is critical to avoid complications.

Through grants from its nonprofit Huber Helps™ program, CP Kelco recently purchased a solar water pump for one of the villages, providing clean water for up to 2,000 people.

In addition to training in sustainable farming methods, all material, including ropes and seed stocks, are provided to farmers free of charge. On a yearly basis, CP Kelco supplies and distributes materials valued at over $150,000 USD. Over 300 new boats as well as planting structures, drying facilities and new shelters have been donated.

CP Kelco is securing a sustainable seaweed aquaculture in Zanzibar so it can remain a source of livelihood for generations to come. The seaweed itself acts as a bioremediator and filter. A fast-growing algae, seaweed is one of nature’s most effective ways to fight carbon emissions, absorbing nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It utilizes energy from sunlight and takes up excess nutrients from the water to assist the ocean’s ability to fight harmful algae blooms that lead to fish kill.

CP Kelco is securing a sustainable seaweed aquaculture in Zanzibar so it can remain a source of livelihood for generations to come. The seaweed itself acts as a bioremediator and filter. A fast-growing algae, seaweed is one of nature’s most effective ways to fight carbon emissions, absorbing nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It utilizes energy from sunlight and takes up excess nutrients from the water to assist the ocean’s ability to fight harmful algae blooms that lead to fish kill.

To help the entire community take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by seaweed farming, CP Kelco works to prevent negative impact to the ecosystem, especially deforestation. Protection of the mangroves is essential to maintain the natural flow of the water and provide feeding grounds for native species.

CP Kelco plants a minimum of 20,000 trees per year.

To help the entire community take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by seaweed farming, CP Kelco works to prevent negative impact to the ecosystem, especially deforestation. Protection of the mangroves is essential to maintain the natural flow of the water and provide feeding grounds for native species.

CP Kelco plants a minimum of 20,000 trees per year.

One-third are used to preserve mangrove forest lands, one third supports the construction of homes and one-third is used to replenish the stakes, fish fences and other lumber supplies needed in seaweed farming.

Improving Education Opportunities

Prioritizing resources to improve education in Zanzibar is also a big part of CP Kelco’s commitment to the community. In the early ‘90s, only 62% of school-age children in Zanzibar were enrolled in primary schools according to the Zanzibar Ministry of Education. Through the Huber Helps™ program, CP Kelco has built classrooms, provided yearly donations of school supplies to the children, sponsored equipment and tools, and renovated school buildings for more conducive learning environments. The transformation in the community over the years has been significant.

Prioritizing resources to improve education in Zanzibar is also a big part of CP Kelco’s commitment to the community. In the early ‘90s, only 62% of school-age children in Zanzibar were enrolled in primary schools according to the Zanzibar Ministry of Education. Through the Huber Helps™ program, CP Kelco has built classrooms, provided yearly donations of school supplies to the children, sponsored equipment and tools, and renovated school buildings for more conducive learning environments. The transformation in the community over the years has been significant.

A 2021 UNICEF report on the children of Zanzibar estimates that 85% of boys and girls are now enrolled in primary schools. 

The travel distance to school can often be a key factor in school attendance, with children in rural areas often facing the longest travel times. When one of the employees at ZANEA Seaweed Co. shared how far his children had to walk to the nearest school in his district, we took action. We collaborated with the Huber Helps™ program and SOS Children’s Villages to raise $135,000 USD to support the construction of a new school, Chamboni Primary School.

B Corp Certification

In spring 2024, ZANEA Seaweed Co. achieved B Corp. Certification from the nonprofit B Lab. It’s one of the most well-respected and challenging certifications that a company can earn. The ”B” stands for ”benefit for all,” and recognizes that a corporate sustainability strategy should balance the protection and caring of people and planet equally with profit. The rigorous certification process measures a company against very high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and legal accountability. It looks at operations covering day-to-day activities and the business model, considering overall impact on employees, customers, community and the environment ― all are viewed as company stakeholders. ZANEA Seaweed Co. was measured across a range of responsibilities as varied as employee benefits and training to community support and environmental programs to delivering a high-quality product that empowers customers.

In spring 2024, ZANEA Seaweed Co. achieved B Corp. Certification from the nonprofit B Lab. It’s one of the most well-respected and challenging certifications that a company can earn. The ”B” stands for ”benefit for all,” and recognizes that a corporate sustainability strategy should balance the protection and caring of people and planet equally with profit. The rigorous certification process measures a company against very high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and legal accountability. It looks at operations covering day-to-day activities and the business model, considering overall impact on employees, customers, community and the environment ― all are viewed as company stakeholders. ZANEA Seaweed Co. was measured across a range of responsibilities as varied as employee benefits and training to community support and environmental programs to delivering a high-quality product that empowers customers.

A Product You Can Feel Good About

Extracted from this warm water red seaweed, our GENU® Carrageenan family of products are renowned for their thickening, gelling and stabilizing properties as well as their clarity in foods and beverages, personal care, pharmaceutical and home care products. They may be used as a vegan, nature-based alternative to synthetic texturizers.

Find out how carrageenan can become part of your story too.

Sensory and Sustainability: Our Personal Care Ingredient Solutions

Meet our portfolio of innovative, readily biodegradable ingredients derived from renewable raw materials to help you reach your sustainability goals:

Our highly functional, fermentation-derived cellulose that forms a unique 3D net-like structure for exceptional suspension even in low- and no-water systems.

A vegan-friendly, nature-based alternative to synthetic texturizers. Extracted from red seaweed, it is renowned for its thickening, gelling and stabilizing properties as well as its clarity.

Upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry, pectin is an easily recognizable thickening, gelling and stabilizing ingredient with skin-friendly moisturizing and hydrating properties.

A fermentation-derived rheology modifier that thickens, suspends and stabilizes across a wide range of temperatures while providing a silky, sensory experience.

Fermentation-derived from bacteria found on water lily plants. Gellan gum forms flexible, fluid gels, sprayable textures and thick gels with excellent pick-up in formulations with a light feel.

A versatile, fermentation-derived ingredient that delivers transparent thickening with smooth flow rheology.

Our carrageenan, pectin and xanthan gum blend emulsify oil-in-water systems, stabilizes, thickens and provides excellent sensorial benefits without the use of traditional emulsifiers or surfactants. 

And our first Upcycled Certified® ingredient*, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber – What begins as food waste, citrus peels from the juice industry, are upcycled into a powerful personal care ingredient. Gentle on skin, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber delivers emulsifier-free stabilization with SENSational textures.

*Upcycled Certified® is a registered trademark of the Upcycled Foods Association.

Our highly functional, fermentation-derived cellulose that forms a unique 3D net-like structure for exceptional suspension even in low- and no-water systems.

A vegan-friendly, nature-based alternative to synthetic texturizers. Extracted from red seaweed, it is renowned for its thickening, gelling and stabilizing properties as well as its clarity.

Upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry, pectin is an easily recognizable thickening, gelling and stabilizing ingredient with skin-friendly moisturizing and hydrating properties.

A fermentation-derived rheology modifier that thickens, suspends and stabilizes across a wide range of temperatures while providing a silky, sensory experience.

Fermentation-derived from bacteria found on water lily plants. Gellan gum forms flexible, fluid gels, sprayable textures and thick gels with excellent pick-up in formulations with a light feel.

A versatile, fermentation-derived ingredient that delivers transparent thickening with smooth flow rheology.

Our carrageenan, pectin and xanthan gum blend emulsify oil-in-water systems, stabilizes, thickens and provides excellent sensorial benefits without the use of traditional emulsifiers or surfactants. 

And our first Upcycled Certified® ingredient*, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber – What begins as food waste, citrus peels from the juice industry, are upcycled into a powerful personal care ingredient. Gentle on skin, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber delivers emulsifier-free stabilization with SENSational textures.

*Upcycled Certified® is a registered trademark of the Upcycled Foods Association.

Discover how to create unique textures without sulfates, silicone or parabens.

EMULSIONS

Blue gel swipe

KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum

UniqSens™ SFE
Emulsifier-Free System

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber

KELTROL® Xanthan Gum

GELS/CREAMS

White cream swipe

GENU® Pectin

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

GENU® Carrageenan

Discover how to create unique textures without sulfates, silicone or parabens.

EMULSIONS

Blue gel swipe

KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum

UniqSens™ SFE
Emulsifier-Free System

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber

KELTROL® Xanthan Gum

GELS/CREAMS

White cream swipe

GENU® Pectin

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

GENU® Carrageenan

Let us help you tap into consumer trends, solve formulation challenges, and explore new ideas in functionality and format.

Ask us about our range of COSMOS® certified, vegan, halal, kosher, non-GMO and organic-compliant ingredient grades to meet consumers’ growing demand.

CPK-SFAE_protein-ebook-preview-image_03-2024

Free E-Book Download

The Power of High Protein: Innovation, Inspiration and Formulation Insights

For dairy and dairy alternatives, protein is the star ingredient that consumers demand. However, working with high-protein applications takes technical expertise to overcome challenges of suspension, stabilization and mouthfeel, among others. Discover our tips for formulation success and unlock your next high-protein innovation with CP Kelco!

Please complete the form below to receive your download via email.

CP Kelco wins Best Ingredients Supplier Again!

Members of the CP Kelco Brazil team were proud to receive the prestigious industry award from Aditivos Ingredientes at the recent ceremony in São Paulo. We won first place for our GENU® Pectin and KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum; and second place for KELTROL® Xanthan Gum, SIMPLESSE™ Microparticulated Whey Protein Concentrate and GENU® Carrageenan. CP Kelco has a long history of winning that dates back to the inception of the BIS Awards in 2015. Congratulations to our team!

Click here or the image above for the full announcement.
(Published in Portuguese)

Carrageenan is extracted from certain species of red algae seaweeds and has been used in a variety of food applications for a very long time.

Working with us, you can find the right carrageenan product to create textures ranging from free-flowing liquids to solid gels. In addition to offering standard types, we work in conjunction with customers to develop new products and formulations for specific applications.

• Kappa carrageenan forms firm, brittle gels.
• Iota carrageenan forms elastic gels and thixotropic fluids.
• Lambda carrageenan forms viscous, non-gelling solutions.

Carrageenan on Purpose

Since 1990, CP Kelco has been working with communities in Zanzibar to grow the seaweed that is used to produce carrageenan utilizing sustainable farming methods. This collaboration includes teaching for skills of creating, cultivating and harvesting seaweed beds. This has especially provided women who previously had limited or no opportunity for employment with the ability to support their families. Learn more…

Cellulose gum or carboxy methylcellulose (CMC) is an additive used in many food and beverage formulations to thicken, bind and emulsify. However, it may be perceived by consumers as not being clean label-friendly or “natural.” And for product developers, there may be challenges with supply reliability.

Depending on the functionality you are trying to achieve in your application, CP Kelco may have alternative ingredients that can help. Reformulation can even present an opportunity to save by using fewer ingredients overall, lowering cost in use, and cleaning up your label with nature-based, vegan-friendly ingredients. For example, easily recognizable GENU® Pectin is a label-friendly alternative that offers protein protection, great mouthfeel, texture and viscosity. KELTROL® Xanthan Gum is a workhorse ingredient that can provide mouthfeel and add viscosity. KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum can help you solve syneresis problems while offering stability, texture and mouthfeel. As an Upcycled Certified® ingredient*, NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber can help you meet your sustainability goals as it supports mouthfeel, viscosity and syneresis control.

See the chart below for ideas and then contact us to discover the most suitable option to help solve your challenges while providing the best cost in use for your formulation.

KELTROL®
Xanthan Gum
GENU®
Pectin
KELCOGEL®
Gellan
Gum
GENU®
Carrageenan
NUTRAVA®
Citrus Fiber
Baked goods such as cake mixes, breads, pizza, tortillas X
Condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbeque sauces and dressings X X
Confectionery and fortified gummies X X
Fruit-flavored drinks, juice beverages and soft drinks X X
Dairy and dairy alternatives such as milk, cottage cheese, cream cheese/spreadable cheese, yogurt X X
Ice cream and frozen desserts X X
Meat, ready-to-eat meals and prepared foods such as soup mixes X X X
Sports nutrition supplements X X X

*Upcycled Certified® is a registered trademark of the Upcycled Food Association.

CP Kelco Invites All to Indulge with No Compromise at Fi Europe 2023

ATLANTA (Nov. 21, 2023) – CP Kelco, a global leader of nature-based ingredient solutions, is heading to Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) in Frankfurt this Nov. 28–30. Attendees are invited to “Indulge with No Compromise” as the company showcases innovative prototypes and discusses the latest texture trends at Booth 3.0C40, next to Azelis.

“With the demands and stresses of our daily lives, consumers are turning to indulgent food and beverages for comfort. However, they still prioritize their health and wellness and are mindful of the environment,” said Camille Berdugo, CP Kelco Senior Marketing Specialist. “When making food and beverage choices, consumers do not want to compromise on sustainability, wellness or enjoyment, while also keeping an eye on their budget.”

CP Kelco will show how it is possible to achieve indulgent texture in products that are “good for you” and good for the planet. Using the company’s nature-based ingredients, some of which are upcycled, extracted from plants, or derived from fermentation, it is possible to indulge with no compromise. “For example, consumers are buying more vitamin and mineral supplements than ever and will choose a soft and chewy gummy that tastes like a confectionery treat but is made without animal-based gelatin,” said Berdugo.

At FiE, CP Kelco invites show attendees to Booth 3.0C40 to indulge in a breakfast tasting session of vegan scrambled egg alternatives featuring KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum every day from 10 to 11am. In the afternoon, CP Kelco will host a soft-serve ice cream break featuring NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. CEST and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.

 

CP Kelco will also showcase a variety of additional new prototypes including…

  • Cold cut alternatives with a meat-like sensory experience and short ingredient list, featuring GENU® Carrageenan.
  • Heat-stable, vegan gummies, including a sugar-free, Vitamin C gummy and a calcium-enriched gummy, made with GENU® Pectin.
  • A high-protein yogurt alternative made with label-friendly GENU® Pectin.
  • Oat-based matcha latte alternative featuring KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum for excellent suspension and smooth mouthfeel.
  • An indulgent and silky rich, emulsifier-free chocolate sauce made with NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber.

About CP Kelco

CP Kelco is a nature-based ingredient solutions company with approximately 90 years of experience working with food, beverage, consumer and industrial product manufacturers worldwide. We apply ingredient innovation and problem-solving to develop customized solutions that leverage our regional insights, meet manufacturers’ goals and address consumer needs and preferences.

  • Unique Portfolio. Produces extensive range of high-quality, plant-based and fermentation-derived ingredients to formulate tailored solutions.
  • Technical Excellence. Offers strong collaboration with a global team of scientists and applications experts, leveraging our regional state-of-the art R&D facilities.
  • Sustainability. Committed to providing responsibly sourced and produced ingredients.
  • Market Insights. Understands market and consumer trends to help customers create relevant and innovative products.

Our key product lines include citrus fiber, pectin, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, fermentation-derived cellulose, diutan gum, refined locust bean gum, microparticulated whey protein concentrate. Learn more at cpkelco.com.

5 Things You May Have Missed from Our Recent Skin Care Webinar

Maybe you were unable to join us at our recent webinar, How to Find the Best Ingredient for Your Sustainable Skin Care Formulation, that we co-hosted with Tom Vierhile from Innova Market Insights. Or maybe you would like a little refresh? If so, we have you covered with five of the top things that you may have missed. 

1. Mapping top skin care ingredients from gels to emulsions

Using xanthan gum as our guide, we explored textural qualities and sustainability expectations when assessing the best ingredient choices for formulation needs.

GELS

Fluid and elastic gel textures.

GENU® Pectin

  • Gel textures, barrier protection
  • Upcycled from citrus peels

GENUVISCO® Carrageenan

  • Elastic gel textures, film forming
  • Sourced from seaweed
KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum
  • Fluid gel network, ideal for spray

EMULSIONS

Silky, light and refreshing feel for emulsions. 

KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum
  • Silky sensory, no stickiness
KELTROL® CG SFT Xanthan Gum  
  • Smooth, non-gelly, less tacky

UniqSens™ SFE System

  • Light, non-tacky feel and emulsifier-free stability

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber

  • Refreshing feel, light touch
  • Upcycled from citrus peels

Meeting sustainability expectations

Nature-Based
Fermentation
Responsibly Sourced
Upcycled
Readily Biodegradable

GELS

Fluid and elastic gel textures.

GENU® Pectin

Gel textures, barrier protection

Upcycled from citrus peels

GENUVISCO® Carrageenan

Elastic gel textures, film forming

Sourced from seaweed

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

Fluid gel network, ideal for spray

EMULSIONS

Silky, light and refreshing feel for emulsions. 

KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum

Silky sensory, no stickiness

KELTROL® CG SFT
Xanthan Gum

Smooth, non-gelly, less tacky

UniqSensSFE System

Light, non-tacky feel and emulsifier-free stability

KELCOSENS Citrus Fiber

Refreshing feel, light touch

Upcycled from citrus peels

Meeting sustainability expectations

Nature-Based
Fermentation
Responsibly Sourced
Upcycled
Readily Biodegradable

2. Finding functionality in upcycled ingredients

We showed how KELCOSENS Citrus Fiber, which is upcycled from citrus peels, not only has a great sustainability story but can create a range of textures, including the light and fresh feel that consumers desire now.

3. Unveiling the latest skin care trends

Innova Market Insights presented a sneak peek of the latest skin care trends based on their 2023 global consumer survey and data analysis. Are your formulations aligned with what consumers want now?

4. Answering questions about your formulation challenges

From mineral sunscreen tips to the best thickeners and replacing synthetic emulsifiers, we received a lot of great questions from webinar attendees. In fact, there were so many that we couldn’t get to that we decided to create a follow-up Q&A document for you. 

5. There's so much more!

We don’t want this to be a total spoiler alert! It’s not too late to access our webinar recording so you can receive all the great info yourself.