An Interview with Green Line™: Sustainable Cosmetic Ingredients

From humble beginnings in 2012 to a global player in natural cosmetics, Green Line™ has always had a clear mission: to provide high-quality, sustainable ingredients that meet the demands of modern beauty. In this exclusive interview, we spoke with Chris Johnson, Managing Partner, to learn more about their journey, values, and innovative breakthroughs like BioFer™ Sugar Kelp.

Berg+Schmidt has been partnering with Green Line™ since last year, exclusively distributing their products in Germany and Austria.

B+S: Can you give us a brief overview of Green Line™? How did the company start and what were the most important milestones?
Chris: Green Line Botanicals™ was founded in 2012 with the goal of supplying high-quality botanical extracts to the North American market. The company quickly expanded internationally—into the UK, South Africa, and Australia—thanks to its reputation for competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. By 2019, Green Line™ broadened its focus to include plant-derived actives and functional ingredients, rebranding as Green Line Ingredients™ to reflect this evolution.

Today, Green Line™ is an innovative supplier to the natural cosmetics industry, committed to sustainability, biotechnology, and clean beauty. Key milestones include:

• The launch of Green Line Essentials™ – a curated range of bio-based emulsifiers, natural antioxidants, and next-generation multifunctional preservatives.
• The creation of BioFer™, an advanced fermentation platform producing sustainable, bioactive skincare ingredients.
• Expansion into global markets, reinforcing its status as a leader in sustainable beauty solutions to a world-wide audience.

B+S: What makes Green Line™ unique in the cosmetic industry? What core competencies and values does your company bring?
Chris: Green Line™ stands out for its nimble, innovation-driven approach and strong customer relationships. As a smaller, flexible company, it offers personalized service and fast adaptation to emerging market needs. A core differentiator is the in-house team of experienced formulation chemists, who bridge the gap between natural raw materials and high-performance cosmetic applications.

Core Competencies:

• Innovation: Constant exploration of natural technologies and emerging ingredients.
• Sustainability: Environmental responsibility in sourcing, formulation, and packaging.
• Customer-Centricity: Bespoke solutions and collaborative partnerships.

Core Values:

• Integrity: Transparent, honest practices backed by ISO 9001:2015 certification.
• Excellence: A commitment to exceeding expectations in quality and performance.

B+S: What is special about your latest innovation, BioFer™ Sugar Kelp, and what are its applications?
Chris: BioFer™ Sugar Kelp combines biotechnology and sustainable aquafarming to amplify the natural benefits of kelp. Sourced through regenerative harvesting methods, the kelp is dried and processed to preserve its bioactive potency. Through fermentation, Green Line™ enhances its efficacy—especially in boosting skin elasticity and collagen Type I production.

Applications:

• Anti-aging skincare – improves skin firmness and reduces wrinkles.
• Under-eye treatments – revitalizes delicate skin and softens fine lines.
• Body firming products – enhances texture and tone with collagen support.

B+S: How does Green Line™ ensure environmentally responsible raw material sourcing?
Chris: Sustainability is integral to Green Line™’s operations. The company partners with like-minded suppliers globally to ensure ethical and environmentally sound harvesting practices.

Key efforts include:

• Ethical sourcing from verified, sustainable producers.
• Marine conservation through regenerative aquafarming.
• A focus on renewable botanical resources.

B+S:  How important is quality assurance for Green Line™, and how do you maintain high standards?
Chris: Quality is foundational to Green Line™’s promise to customers. The company maintains a robust quality management system and holds multiple certifications that validate its ethical, sustainable, and high-performing products.

Certifications include:

• RSPO MB – sustainable palm oil sourcing.
• USDA Organic – compliance with organic farming standards.
• ISO 9001:2015 – international quality management.
• Ecocert COSMOS – natural and organic cosmetic standards.
• USDA Biobased – third-party validation of renewable content.

B+S: What trends are you seeing in the cosmetics industry, and how is Green Line™ responding?
Chris: Green Line™ is actively responding to trends like clean beauty, sustainability, personalized skincare, and biotech innovation.

Key responses include:

• Development of high-quality, plant-based ingredients with strong performance.
• Support for personalized formulations via the versatile GreenWaxes™ emulsifier range.
• Leadership in eco-innovation with products like BioFer™ Sugar Kelp and waste-reducing practices.

B+S:  Are there new products or innovations customers should look forward to?
Chris: Yes! Green Line™ is expanding the GreenWaxes™ line with several new 100% plant-based emulsifiers. These high-performance ingredients improve formulation stability and sensorial appeal while meeting sustainability standards. Notably, GreenWax™ W/O, a natural water-in-oil emulsifier, offers a silky, lightweight texture for skincare and color cosmetics, outperforming traditional W/O systems. This underscores Green Line™’s ongoing dedication to innovation, performance, and planet-friendly solutions.

Thank you for the great interview!