FloZein Products produce a corn-based, vegan alternative to shellac called Zein.

Zein — which is more cost-effective than traditional shellac — has a broad range of applications from confectionary to pharmaceutical, and agricultural to biomedical. It is all-natural, clean label, vegan, Kosher, and halal. It is also gluten, lactose, sugar, and GMO-free.

FloZein — a subsidiary of Flo Chemical Corporation — is currently the only North American manufacturer of Zein and has been producing the corn-based protein since 1976.

The versatile vegan shellac has the ability to form an edible, odorless, tasteless, and hard coating. “It is a better coating than shellac (confectioners or pharmaceutical glaze) because FloZein Products coating solutions offer extended shelf-life, particularly under high-humidity and high-heat conditions,” says FloZein.

Zein is more environmentally-friendly than traditional shellac. Lac bugs, native to India and Thailand, naturally produce shellac, which is then commercially harvested.

Around 300,000 of the insect are needed to produce just 1 kilogram of shellac and the harvesting process almost always kills them. Many beauty products (such as nail polish), foods (like candy coatings), and medicines contain animal-based shellac.

“Flo Chemical Corporation seeks to establish and sustain a positive environmental legacy for current and for future generations,” adds FloZein. “The company is committed to minimizing its overall impact on the environment while encouraging and activating environmentally responsible behavior.”

Demand For Vegan Cosmetics

Animal-based shellac is one of several animal derivatives commonly used in beauty products. However, Zein is an effective replacement.

The vegan shellac is water-resistant and can be used for effective moisture control. It can also act as an anti-clumping or bulking agent, a color sealant, and is known for increasing hair volume. Zein is also a natural alternative to synthetic microbeads.

Cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics with natural ingredients are increasingly popular with consumers.

Superdrug recently reported a 750 percent increase in the sales of its vegan cosmetics brand “B.” The health and beauty chain said that this boost was primarily a result of its successful 2019 Veganuary campaign.

Data by Grand View Research said that the global vegan cosmetics industry could reach $20.8 billion by 2025.