Charcoal in Toothpaste and Makeup – Why Activated Carbon Became a Hot Ingredient in Beauty and Wellness

FAST Logistics Group, the leading end-to-end logistics provider in the Philippines, empowers manufacturers to meet growing market demands with its extensive transportation capabilities and vast network.

For centuries, charcoal has served as a primary fuel for cooking and grilling. In the Philippines, where barbecues and street food are a staple, charcoal is an almost daily necessity. Yet in recent years, its application has extended into a new realm — the beauty and wellness industry.

When ordinary charcoal undergoes a special treatment involving oxygen, acids, and other chemicals, it transforms into activated charcoal, or activated carbon. This process significantly increases its porosity, enhancing its ability to absorb toxins.

Because of its detoxifying properties, activated carbon has found versatile applications, including water purification, precious metal recovery, and in electronics. Moreover, it is now a celebrated ingredient in beauty products such as toothpaste to makeup.

The Rise of Activated Carbon in Personal Care

The shift toward a natural wellness approach has sparked interest in traditional substances such as activated charcoal. In 2015, the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients listed 148 skincare products that had activated charcoal as an ingredient. Among the acclaimed benefits of activated charcoal is its ability to whiten and brighten teeth and skin.

Experts suggest that when used in toothpastes and mouthwashes, activated charcoal can adhere to plaque and surface stains, effectively removing bacteria and freshening breath. Its potent absorption properties make it an invaluable component in oral healthcare.

Activated carbon is also a key ingredient in some skin care products for its ability to draw out impurities such as excess oils, dark spots, and pollutants. Its versatile use extends to makeup, facial cleansers, pore strips, effervescent face masks, and even soaps. With new research and technologies, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies are also leveraging products infused with activated carbon to treat acne, minor wounds, and itchy scalps.

Activated carbon plays a crucial role in the food industry, where it is used to decolorize and purify various food and beverage products including sugar, edible oils, and wine. Additionally, it serves as a vital processing aid in the creation of food-grade products, enhancing safety and quality by absorbing toxins and contaminants.

Activated carbon’s popularity in skincare and various industries has led to a 5% increase in global demand. Valued at US$4.4 billion in 2023, the global carbon market is expected to reach US$8.4 billion by 2030. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to dominate the market share by 2030, driven by the growing presence of companies engaged in activated carbon manufacturing.

Activated Carbon in the Philippines

As activated carbon gains global popularity, local manufacturers are ramping up production to meet the surging demand. They are expanding their reach by exporting high-quality products to diverse markets worldwide, capitalizing on the growing interest in their offerings.

The Philippines is a notable exporter of charcoal products, contributing to the global market with US$184 million worth of exports in 2022. In the same year, activated carbon was the 63rd most exported product in the country. Key destinations for these exports included Germany, Japan, the United States, China, and South Korea. Likewise, Germany, the United States, and Japan were considered the fastest-growing export markets for activated carbon in the Philippines.

Davao-based manufacturer BF Industries Inc. is one of the trusted suppliers of food-grade activated carbon in the country. It also manufactures other charcoal-based products such as granulated charcoal and charcoal briquettes, primarily using coconuts sourced from the Davao Region.

An ISO-certified, Halal-certified, Kosher-certified, and NSF-certified company, it distributes its products nationwide. Its activated carbon are used in precious metal recovery, water purification, pharmaceuticals and electronics purposes, among others. Meanwhile, its charcoal briquettes are used by various companies, particularly by barbecue stores and poultry farms.

Charcoal remains a popular fuel choice across diverse socioeconomic segments in the Philippines due to its accessibility, affordability, and traditional appeal. Commonly used for cooking, charcoal was used by an average of 35% of all households in the country based on the Household Energy Consumption Survey (HCES) in 1989, 1995, and 2004. Experts said the rise of charcoal-based cooking recipes and barbecued food is driving the expansion of the charcoal industry.

Charcoal Product Transportation

To serve its wide range of customers nationwide, BF Industries runs its charcoal plants 24/7. It also forged a strategic partnership with FAST Logistics Group to ensure the timely and seamless delivery of its charcoal-based products. Since 2017, FAST has been transporting BF Industries’ charcoal briquettes and activated carbon across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

FAST offers an array of transportation services and solutions to meet the distinct needs of its clients. Through its extensive network and comprehensive logistics solutions, manufacturers such as BF Industries can deliver their quality products on time, every time.

In particular, FAST has been delivering 3,000 sacks of BF Industries’ charcoal briquettes each month to about 30 outlets of a major chicken restaurant franchise in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“For Mindanao, we are utilizing Davao for southern Mindanao deliveries and Cagayan de Oro for Northern Mindanao areas,” said FAST Sales Manager for Mindanao Mayjen Guillen.

In the Visayas, charcoal briquettes are stored at Cebu Hub for Central Visayas volume, Iloilo hub for Panay areas, and Bacolod hub for Negros area deliveries, she added.

Furthermore, FAST has been efficiently handling the transportation of activated carbon for BF Industries to various firms across Luzon and the Visayas, utilizing either loose cargo or full container loads for optimal delivery.

BF Industries Assistant Production Manager Cony Eve Allawan emphasized their reliance on FAST for domestic deliveries, citing its exceptional responsiveness, especially for urgent orders that must be swiftly delivered to customers.

“We also appreciate that they have inspectors who double-check the products that are loaded in the trucks before delivering them to our customers,” she added.

The collaboration between FAST and BF Industries enhances the availability of premium charcoal briquettes and activated carbon, not only in Davao and neighboring provinces but across the entire Philippines. Watch the video below to learn more:

Logistics Solutions for Manufacturers

Reliable and timely deliveries are crucial in the business of manufacturing and selling charcoal-based products. Delays or disruptions can lead to lost customers and decreased revenue. Therefore, it is critical for manufacturers to collaborate with trustworthy and forward-thinking logistics partners to ensure the efficient delivery of products for customer satisfaction and convenience.

FAST has been providing logistics solutions to multinational corporations, Filipino conglomerates, and small and medium enterprises. It has largest transport fleet and the most expansive warehouse footprint, with 13,000-strong workforce covering 94% of the country.

In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, partnering with a reliable transportation and logistics provider equipped with cutting-edge technologies is crucial. It enables businesses to concentrate on their primary activities, such as product development, while expanding into new markets and boosting profitability. FAST’s expertise in managing large cargo volumes throughout the Philippines offers a distinct competitive edge to manufacturers like BF Industries.

“We tried a lot of suppliers before, but FAST remains the top one we find to be cost-effective,” said BF Industries Sales Staff Lorey Camagon. “They provide good service in terms of delivering the products, shipping, and customer service.”

FAST is continuously innovating to elevate its comprehensive logistics solutions, which include warehousing, transportation, and value-added services, to meet the needs of its clients more effectively. With its advanced technologies, deep industry knowledge, and an extensive network and assets, FAST adeptly navigates evolving market demands and challenges and supports the growth of manufacturers and businesses nationwide. To learn more about logistics solutions, contact our Solutions Expert or visit http://linktr.ee/fastlogisticsph