Solvay unveils biodegradable guar cosmetic ingredients
09 Dec 2021 --- Belgium-based chemical manufacturer Solvay is debuting its biodegradable guar ingredients for cosmetics. The guar-based polymers are a part of its Jaguar range of natural polymers.
Guar – derived from guar beans – is an ingredient used in hair and beauty products as well as food. It is used to improve the texture and stability of a mixture. Traditional synthetic polymers tend not to be biodegradable, resulting in them accumulating in landfills. Further, their production process releases more pollutants into the environment than polymers derived from sources like guar beans.
The ingredients, Jaguar C500 STD and Jaguar HP-8 COS SGI, are promoted by Solvay as “inherently ultimately biodegradable,” according to Solvey’s Beauty Biodeg Score. This is a tool the company uses to judge the biodegradability of its ingredients.
What their score means is that environmental microorganisms degrade 70% of the product after 28 days. The beans from which Jaguar polymers are derived are grown in India. Solvay has pursued sustainable and empowering farming practices there since 2015.
Solvay’s global vice president, Jean-Guy Le Helleco, has stated that Solvay plans to release more biodegradable polymers in the future.
Solvay has plans to expand its list of biodegradable ingredients.
Part of a larger trend
The company’s interest in the ingredients comes at a time when consumers demand environmental responsibility and ethical practices from businesses.
According to Innova Market Insights, consumers have recently trended toward a “Shared Planet” mentality when selecting products. Further, the market researcher has highlighted that consumers’ demands are becoming increasingly important. “Voice of Consumer '' was listed by the group as one of its Top Ten Trends for 2022.
Recently, traceability and sustainability were also highlighted as a consumer trend during a Personal Care Insights roundtable.
It can be expected that more polymer manufacturers will follow the trend toward sustainable and biodegradable products in the future. 
Sustainable supply-chain practices are becoming a more significant concern for consumers.
Structural sustainability
In addition to improving its product formulation, Solvay has pursued structural sustainability within its business practice. In 2015, the group unveiled its Sustainable Guar initiative, which intends to combat climate change by empowering local farmers and training them in sustainable agricultural practices.
Under this program, Solvay says that farmers receive a better income than before they joined the program. Under the program, farmers’ revenue rose 143% between 2015 and 2021. In line with the UN’s Sustainability goals, the program also empowers women, who are underrepresented and often disadvantaged in the agricultural industry.
To stay afloat in the future, businesses will have to be more conscious of the impact of every step of the production process.
By training farmers in sustainable practices, Solvay is pursuing greater security over its supply of manufacturing ingredients. Further, since the Sustainable Guar initiative began, the company saw a 125% increase in guar yield by farmers. This means that Solvay benefits directly from more ethical supply-chain relationships it has developed with its producers.
Edited by Olivia Nelson
