# Chemical-Absorbing Algae Beads These Tiny Beads Soak Up Coral Reef-Destroying Sunscreen Chemicals By Alyson Wyers | Published 2017-09-30 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-beads References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/40453298/these-tiny-beads-are-designed-to-soak-up-the-sunblock-chemical-thats-killing-coral) It is no secret that microbeads found in some skin care products and cleaning supplies are bad for the environment, but these tiny beads made out of algae and lobster shell help protect coral reef from sunscreen chemicals. Hawaiian lawmakers are attempting to ban a [oxybenzone-containing sunblock](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saltyface-daily-sun-shield-mineral-sunscreen) due to the adverse effect it has on coral. In the meantime, these tiny beads could be part of the solution. The biodegradable beads are composed of [algae and chitosan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-of-sharjah) and also include iron nanoparticles, which enables them to be removed from the water using magnets after they've done their job. The chemical-absorbing structures come from a chemistry lab at the [University of Puerto Rico](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swansea-university) that focuses on eco-friendly methods of cleaning contaminated water. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Chemical-absorbing Beads:** Developing beads made of eco-friendly materials like algae and lobster shells that can absorb harmful chemicals from the environment. - **Biodegradable Microbeads:** Creating microbeads for skincare products and cleaning supplies that are biodegradable and do not harm the environment. - **Eco-friendly Water Cleaning:** Investing in research and development for eco-friendly methods of cleaning contaminated water. ### Where This Applies - **Skincare and Cleaning Products:** Companies in the skincare and cleaning industries could innovate and produce biodegradable microbeads that do not have a negative impact on the environment. - **Water Treatment and Purification:** Water treatment and purification companies can explore eco-friendly methods of cleaning contaminated water, such as using algae-based or lobster shell-based beads. - **Sustainability and Environment:** Investing in sustainability and environmental innovations to protect coral reefs and other ecosystems from harmful chemicals, such as oxybenzone found in sunscreen. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable Mineral SPF Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-reef.md) - [Reef-Safe Seaweed Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/badger.md) - [Natural UV-Blocking Bioactives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stress-activated-cyanobacterial-uv.md) - [Non-Chemical Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kaos-biore.md) - [Eco-Friendly Moisturizing Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reef-safe-sunsorb.md) - [Computational Undersea-Inspired Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coral-soaps-collection.md) - [Microalgae Body Oils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microalgae-body-oil.md) - [Plastic-Free Mineral Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-free-mineral-sunscreen.md) - [Microbiome-Friendly Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-serum-spf.md)