Our system has noticed that you are based in , but the current country setting is . Select country
BELNEXT®: beauty redefined
Sustainable, bio-based and biodegradable: BELNEXT® expands WACKER’s cosmetics portfolio with a new brand of cosmetic functional raw materials, produced via fermentation, biosynthesis and green chemistry. By transferring proven technologies to personal care, BELNEXT® redefines beauty with an emphasis on performance, sustainability and scientific excellence.
Key takeaways
A new approach to sustainable beauty
Consumers today expect more from cosmetic products: performance, transparency and, above all, sustainability. The beauty industry is evolving quickly, driven by the demand for natural or bio-based raw materials and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.
To support this transformation, we are expanding our portfolio with a pioneering new brand that aligns seamlessly with our long-term sustainability strategy. BELNEXT® introduces innovative functional raw materials developed for cosmetic formulations through fermentation, biosynthesis and green chemistry. These ingredients set a new standard for sustainable, high-performance technologies for the cosmetics industry.
Sustainable, bio-based and biodegradable: BELNEXT® demonstrates the potential of advanced materials science for the future of cosmetics.
Technical expertise at WACKER – applied in a new way
For decades, WACKER has been a driving force and expert partner across a wide range of industries, spanning large-scale fermentation, biotechnology, advanced polymer chemistry, emulsion technology, encapsulation and biopolymers. These capabilities form the backbone of many high-performance solutions for cosmetics and beyond.
BELNEXT® represents our deliberate effort to transfer this expertise to a new application area – enabling the development of next-generation cosmetic ingredients by uniting biotechnology, materials science and sustainability.
Fermentation: now for functional ingredients
Fermentation has seen a remarkable rise in cosmetics in recent years as a method for producing active ingredients. Yet despite this momentum, functional ingredients – which determine texture, stability, sensory properties and thus overall formulation performance – have remained largely untouched by this technology.
We’re closing that gap with BELNEXT®. BELNEXT® stands for bio-based and/or fermentation-derived functional cosmetic ingredients that deliver outstanding performance at an acceptable price, opening up entirely new possibilities for sustainable formulations. Going forward, we will be aligning all of our environmentally friendly products for the personal care industry under our BELNEXT® brand. Stay tuned to see what comes next.
Moving in this new direction is in line with our core values:
Three pillars of the BELNEXT® family
As part of our holistic sustainability framework, BELNEXT® contributes directly to our strategic ESG goals of reducing our carbon footprint, maximizing resource efficiency and driving circularity throughout the value chain.
Sustainable
BELNEXT® stands for innovative ingredients manufactured via fermentation and green chemistry – processes that are based on sustainable biological systems and reduce environmental impact.
Bio-based
BELNEXT® raw materials are derived from sustainable resources, supporting the growing global demand for environmentally responsible cosmetic ingredients.
Biodegradable
Biodegradable BELNEXT® ingredients are formulated to minimize environmental persistence.
Initial product innovations from the BELNEXT® family
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M:
A modern emulsifier for hair-care products
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M (Stearyl Alcohol (and) Stearyl Theaninate Mesylate) is a proprietary amino-acid-derived cationic emulsifier designed for high-performance hair-care formulations. Its unique molecular structure delivers excellent conditioning performance yet is exceptionally natural with minimal environmental impact.
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M is based primarily on theanine, an amino acid produced via fermentation and naturally found in green tea.
Theanine
Theanine, widely recognized for its mood-enhancing and cognitive-support properties in nutraceuticals, adds a unique narrative dimension to new cosmetic formulations. Fermentation on an industrial scale ensures consistent high purity and reproducible quality. Plus, the process is also more sustainable than extraction from plant material.
Natural sourcing, biotechnology and continuous product innovation are the tools with which we aim to achieve our BELNEXT® mission: redefining beauty and developing ingredients that benefit both consumers and the planet.
Key benefits of
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M:
Hair care –
redefined with BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M
BELNEXT® bio-based ingredients offer exceptional efficacy, opening new possibilities for high-performance, sustainable hair-care formulations. Click through the gallery to see the effects.
Lamellar liquid crystalline
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M forms stable lamellar liquid crystalline phases that reinforce emulsion structure and boost conditioning performance through optimized deposition.
Improvement combing
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M reduces wet combing force, offering smoother detangling than the control and performance comparable to BTAC (behentrimonium chloride).
Deposition aid
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M enhances silicone deposition efficiency, delivering higher on fiber retention than behentrimonium chloride (BTAC) for targeted conditioning.
The sustainability choice
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M is derived from fermentation based theanine and built on a patented, readily biodegradable non permanently charged cationic technology, offering a cleaner, lower impact alternative to traditional quats.
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2:
The sustainable all-rounder for cosmetic formulations
The second innovation in this product family, BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 (INCI Hydrogenated Poly(C6‑20 Olefin), is a versatile nonpolar emollient offering exceptional compatibility, excellent stability in emulsions, and a distinctive sensory profile.
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 is a multi-functional, high-performance, sustainable ingredient for skin-care, sunscreen, makeup and hair-care applications.
Key benefits of
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2:
Personal care –
redefined with BELNEXT® EMO FH 2
BELNEXT® bio-based ingredients offer exceptional efficacy, opening new possibilities for high-performance, sustainable personal-care formulations. Click through the gallery to see the effects.
High compatibility
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 offers excellent compatibility with most commonly use doils, delivering markedly improved emulsion stability in comparison to other non polaroils.
Higher pay-off
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 delivers optimal color payoff and richer pigmentation through superior pigment wetting.
Improved frizz-control
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 out perform leading market benchmarks in anti-frizz performance. Treated hair shows markedly less frizz, demonstrating superior humidity resistance.
Fermentation meets functional ingredients
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 is issued from fermentation and green chemistry, offering a fully biobased, biodegradable but highly performing alternative to conventional non polar emollients.
Sustainability at WACKER: expanding our proven commitment
Sustainability has long been a core element of WACKER’s corporate strategy. Environmental protection is a key driver of innovation across all of our businesses, including personal care. Thanks to established solutions such as BELSIL® eco, we already support the development of more sustainable cosmetic formulations.
BELNEXT® builds on this foundation, expanding our range with fermentation-derived, bio-based and biodegradable functional polymers for more sustainable cosmetic formulations – without compromising performance or quality.
FAQs about the BELNEXT® product concept
What exactly is BELNEXT® and why is it so important for sustainable cosmetics?
BELNEXT® is WACKER’s new family of sustainable, bio-based and biodegradable ingredients for cosmetic formulations. Produced through fermentation, biosynthesis and green chemistry, these products offer outstanding performance while reducing environmental impact. This makes BELNEXT® highly relevant for companies seeking sustainable, future-proof beauty solutions.
How are BELNEXT® ingredients made and what makes them environmentally friendly?
BELNEXT® ingredients are manufactured using biotechnology-driven fermentation and green chemistry processes. These methods rely on renewable raw materials, generate lower emissions and make production of biodegradable ingredients possible. As a result, BELNEXT® supports a more sustainable supply chain compared to conventional petrochemical polymers.
What are the benefits of BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M in hair-care products?
BELNEXT® TAL 1840 M is an amino-acid-derived cationic emulsifier that delivers effective wet and dry conditioning, excellent stability and efficient oil deposition, even at low concentrations. This biodegradable ingredient exhibits less aquatic toxicity than common quaternary ammonium compounds, making it an environmentally responsible alternative for high-performance conditioners.
What applications is BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 suitable for?
BELNEXT® EMO FH 2 is a versatile, sustainable emollient ideal for skin care, sunscreens, makeup and hair care. It provides a unique sensory profile, enhances pigment dispersion in makeup, makes mineral-based sunscreens easier to apply and makes hair more manageable. The product is biodegradable and based on sustainably sourced raw materials, making it the epitome of clean beauty and eco-friendly cosmetics.
To what extent does BELNEXT® support clean beauty and compliance with regulatory requirements?
BELNEXT® ingredients meet key criteria for clean beauty products: they are biodegradable, bio-based and manufactured using environmentally responsible processes. This makes BELNEXT® an excellent choice for brands committed to transparency, sustainable formulations and nature conservation.
Your next breakthrough starts here – beauty redefined
Florence Olechowski, Corporate Business Development Manager, Personal Care – BELNEXT®
With BELNEXT®, we bring you fully bio-based, high-performance technologies designed for modern and responsible beauty. We are excited to support partners and formulators who want to innovate sustainably without compromising on results.
Reach out to us – we would be delighted to accompany your next project.
Related: