GreenWave, the nonprofit behind a growing network of regenerative ocean farms, is doubling down on its mission to bring seaweed-based innovation to the cosmetics industry. With the launch of Kelp CoLab, a fully funded R&D program slated to roll out in 2026, the organization is inviting beauty and personal care brands to develop kelp-driven formulations that are backed by sustainability, science and supply chain transparency.
In a video interview with CosmeticsDesign, Grace Collery, senior market development program manager at GreenWave, spoke about the organization’s model and what sets it apart from other ingredient suppliers.
“We’re scaling regenerative ocean farming to produce seaweed-based ingredients that are not only climate-positive, but also traceable from farm to formulation,” said Collery in the interview.
Kelp CoLab: A practical path for R&D and ingredient innovation
Designed for emerging and mid-sized personal care brands, Kelp CoLab offers a 10-month, hands-on opportunity to explore the potential of ocean-farmed kelp in beauty formulations. The program helps brands overcome common R&D barriers by providing formulation support, ingredient sourcing and access to supply chain experts.
“Brands are excited about kelp,” Collery noted in a GreenWave press release. “But we hear the same thing again and again: ‘We love the idea, we just don’t know how to work with it.’”
Kelp CoLab addresses that gap by helping brands experiment with kelp’s functional properties, like hydration, skin barrier support and anti-inflammatory effects, in real-world product development settings. Participants also will have the opportunity to visit regenerative kelp farms, allowing them to connect directly with the people and practices behind the supply chain.
“What makes us different is that we work directly with farmers, offering them the tools, training and technology to succeed,” Collery said in the interview. “It’s not just ingredient supply, it’s a whole ecosystem approach.”
Applications for the program are now open
Brands interested in applying can learn more at kelpcolab.org.
Why kelp, why now?
As consumer expectations regarding sustainability continue to rise, seaweed presents an attractive option. “The cosmetics industry is hungry for more sustainable, biotech-driven solutions – and seaweed offers a unique set of benefits,” Collery said in the interview. “It’s fast-growing, zero-input and it pulls carbon and nitrogen from the ocean.”
Kelp also brings formulation benefits that make it more than just a green label ingredient. It offers texture, performance and bioactivity that R&D teams can work with, and through the Kelp CoLab program, brands don’t have to figure that out on their own.
“This is more than just an R&D program,” added Sam Garwin, GreenWave’s director of market development in GreenWave’s press release. “It’s a chance to be part of something bigger – to unlock the potential of this ingredient and position brands as true leaders in sustainable innovation.”
