DANISH ENTREPRENEURS REINVENT HAND SOAP THAT CAN LOWER TRANSPORT EMISSIONS BY 92%

06 December 2023 | RE·ESSENCE

• Focus on sustainability
• Design
• Bath
• Kitchen & tableware
• Home accessories

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Two women have set out to combine exquisite Nordic design while simultaneously reducing single-use plastic and the transportation footprint within personal care.

They conceived the idea of developing a hand soap concentrate that not only reduces CO2 emissions during transport and the consumption of single-use plastic but also transforms into a high-quality hand soap when mixed with water.

After 2.5 years of development, the idea has become a reality with the brand [RE·ESSENCE], a recently launched refill concept consisting of small refills of hand soap powder and a reusable glass hand soap dispenser.

MIX YOUR OWN SOAP
Conventional liquid hand soaps contain up to 90% water, and since we have water at home, we thought it would be possible to develop a concentrate so that consumers can mix their liquid hand soap at home. With just 27 grams of our powder, you get 340 ml of luxurious liquid hand soap. This significantly reduces the need for transportation. We have also designed an elegant reusable glass dispenser to minimize household plastic waste," says Cathrine Akselbo Runov, one of the founders of [RE·ESSENCE].

IT'S SIMPLE AND EASY:
1 / WATER
2 / [RE·ESSENCE]
3 / MIX

ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AT THE DANISH TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE AND CROWDFUNDING
After an entrepreneurship program at the Danish Technological Institute, an environmental screening suggests that a potential CO2 savings of up to 92% can be achieved in the transportation of the finished product when compared to a similar conventional liquid soap transported the same distance.

"It is important for us to deliver a high-quality product and at the same time demonstrate that our product contributes to reducing CO2 emissions related to transportation. Documentation is crucial, and the entrepreneurship program at the Danish Technological Institute has been a great help," says Henriette Holmgreen Thorsen, the other half of the entrepreneurial duo.

"In the spring of 2023, we conducted crowdfunding to test the concept with consumers and to secure funding for the first production. The crowdfunding exceeded expectations with very positive responses, indicating that we have managed to combine quality and Nordic design while also incorporating considerations for reduced transportation and plastic consumption into the product," adds Henriette Holmgreen Thorsen.

BENEFITS:
-Reduces transport/CO2 by 92% (documented by the Danish Technological Institute)
-Reduces single-use plastic
-Produced in Denmark
-Moisturizing hand soap with 98% natural ingredients
-Exclusive reusable glass soap dispenser
-Vegan
-Space-saving
-AllergyCertified (Sensitive variant)

INTERNATIONAL AMBITIONS
Initially, [RE·ESSENCE] will be marketed and sold in the domestic market, both to individuals and businesses. However, the founders have a clear ambition to deliver to international consumers. The [RE·ESSENCE] team also sees potential for expansion into a broader range of personal care products, as items such as shower gel, shampoo, etc., similarly have water as the primary ingredient.