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About Ironwood Clay
World's Leading Supplier of Glacial Clay
About Ironwood Clay Company
The World's Largest Supplier of Glacial Oceanic Clay
Founded in 1988, Ironwood Clay Company Inc. is a Canadian supplier of Glacial Oceanic Clay and Glacial Oceanic Mineral Water and a skincare and personal care manufacturer based in Richmond, British Columbia.
For more than three decades, Ironwood Clay has specialized in bringing this Canadian mineral resource to skincare and personal care brands around the world.
Ironwood Clay’s capabilities extend from sustainable harvesting and raw material supply to research and development, custom formulation, private label and contract manufacturing.
Founded
1988
Headquarters
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Specialty
Glacial Oceanic Clay
Capabilities
Raw Materials • R&D • Formulation • Manufacturing
Canadian Glacial Oceanic Clay Expertise Since 1988
Ironwood Clay Company was founded in 1988 after founder Rodger Upton recognized the potential of the mineral-rich Glacial Oceanic Clay found along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia.
The clay comes from a coastal environment shaped over time by glaciers, mountains, ocean water and mineral-rich sediments.
What began as a small Canadian operation focused on harvesting and supplying this natural resource has grown into the world’s largest supplier of Glacial Oceanic Clay and an experienced skincare and personal care manufacturer.
Over the years, Ironwood Clay has expanded its services to include ingredient development, research, custom formulation, private label skincare and contract manufacturing.
Today, Ironwood Clay works with skincare and personal care companies in Canada and internationally, supporting projects from raw material sourcing and formulation through commercial manufacturing.
Sustainably Harvesting a Unique Canadian Natural Resource
Glacial Oceanic Clay is a naturally occurring mineral resource found within a distinctive coastal environment in British Columbia.
Protecting the resource and its surrounding environment has long been an important part of Ironwood Clay’s harvesting practices.
The clay is accessible only during specific seasonal and tidal conditions. Harvesting is carefully planned and carried out in accordance with applicable government, environmental and community requirements.
Ironwood Clay uses harvesting methods designed to minimize disturbance to the surrounding environment while maintaining the integrity of the Glacial Oceanic Clay resource.
Sustainable harvesting begins at the clay deposit and continues through the way Ironwood Clay processes and handles its raw materials.
For Ironwood Clay, responsible resource management is an important part of working with Glacial Oceanic Clay for the long term.
- Authorized British Columbia Resource Access
- Ironwood Clay is the sole permittee authorized by the Government of British Columbia to source Glacial Oceanic Clay intertidally.
Respect for the Land, Waters and Their Stewards
Use Ironwood Clay’s existing acknowledgement prominently:
We acknowledge the trusting and cooperative relationship with the Homalco First Nation, the stewards and guardians of the lands and waters, sites of our clay resource.
Ironwood Clay recognizes that responsible access to this natural resource includes respect for the land, waters and communities connected to it.
The relationship with the Homalco First Nation is an important part of Ironwood Clay’s history and its ongoing approach to the stewardship of the Glacial Oceanic Clay resource.
A Mineral-Rich Ingredient from British Columbia
Ironwood Clay’s Glacial Oceanic Clay contains more than 60 naturally occurring minerals and rare earth elements and is supplied internationally for use in cosmetic and personal care formulations.
The cosmetic INCI name for Glacial Oceanic Clay is Sea Silt.
Ironwood Clay supplies Glacial Oceanic Clay in wet and powder formats, as well as Glacial Oceanic Mineral Water, with the INCI name Sea Silt Extract.
These ingredients can be used in skincare, body care, hair care and other personal care formulations.
From the Clay Resource to Finished Skincare Products
Ironwood Clay’s expertise extends beyond supplying raw materials.
Ironwood Clay can support brands through multiple stages of product development, connecting raw material sourcing with research, formulation and commercial manufacturing.
Customers can work with Ironwood Clay for a specific service or use its broader capabilities to take a product from concept through commercial production.
Having raw material, formulation and manufacturing expertise within one company also gives Ironwood Clay extensive knowledge of how Glacial Oceanic Clay performs in finished skincare and personal care formulations.
Experienced Skincare Formulation & R&D
Ironwood Clay’s in-house R&D team develops skincare and personal care formulations for a wide range of product categories, including products featuring Glacial Oceanic Clay and other natural ingredients.
Ironwood Clay has worked on more than 5,000 formulations and developed more than 500 unique formulas across skincare, body care, hair care, baby care and specialty personal care categories.
Ironwood Clay can support new product development, formula customization and commercial scale-up.
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Canadian Skincare Manufacturing & Quality Assurance
Ironwood Clay operates a skincare and personal care manufacturing facility in Richmond, British Columbia, with capabilities that include formulation, production, filling, packaging and quality assurance.
Ironwood Clay’s manufacturing systems, certifications and registrations support conventional, natural and organic skincare and personal care products for Canadian and international markets.
Founded by Rodger Upton
Rodger Upton founded Ironwood Clay Company Inc. in 1988 after recognizing the potential of British Columbia’s Glacial Oceanic Clay.
Starting with a small operation focused on this natural resource, Rodger helped grow Ironwood Clay into the world’s largest supplier of Glacial Oceanic Clay and an international supplier and manufacturer serving the skincare and personal care industry.
His focus on sustainable harvesting, long-term customer relationships and the continued development of Glacial Oceanic Clay remains an important part of Ironwood Clay today.
Before founding Ironwood Clay, Rodger served as Director of Marketing for the BC Lions Football Club and operated businesses in several industries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ironwood Clay
What is Ironwood Clay Company?
Ironwood Clay Company Inc. is a Canadian supplier of Glacial Oceanic Clay and Glacial Oceanic Mineral Water, as well as a skincare and personal care contract manufacturer based in Richmond, British Columbia.
Founded in 1988, Ironwood Clay has decades of experience in raw material supply, research and development, custom formulation, private label development and manufacturing.
Is Ironwood Clay the world's largest Glacial Oceanic Clay supplier?
Yes. Ironwood Clay is the world’s largest supplier of Glacial Oceanic Clay and has specialized in sourcing, processing and developing applications for this Canadian ingredient since 1988.
Where does Ironwood Clay's Glacial Oceanic Clay come from?
Ironwood Clay’s Glacial Oceanic Clay comes from mineral-rich deposits along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, Canada.
The resource is found within a coastal environment shaped over time by glaciers, mountains, ocean water and mineral-rich sediments.
How is Ironwood Clay's Glacial Oceanic Clay harvested?
Glacial Oceanic Clay is harvested during specific seasonal and tidal conditions using methods designed to minimize disturbance to the surrounding coastal environment.
Ironwood Clay takes a long-term approach to sustainable harvesting and resource management. Ironwood Clay is the sole permittee authorized by the Government of British Columbia to source Glacial Oceanic Clay intertidally.
What is the relationship between Ironwood Clay and the Homalco First Nation?
Ironwood Clay acknowledges its trusting and cooperative relationship with the Homalco First Nation, the stewards and guardians of the lands and waters where Ironwood Clay’s clay resource is located.
This relationship is an important part of Ironwood Clay’s approach to responsible stewardship and respect for the land and waters connected to the resource.
Does Ironwood Clay sell raw cosmetic ingredients?
Yes. Ironwood Clay supplies Glacial Oceanic Clay in wet and powder formats under the INCI name Sea Silt.
Ironwood Clay also supplies Glacial Oceanic Mineral Water, with the INCI name Sea Silt Extract, for use in skincare and personal care formulations.
Does Ironwood Clay provide custom skincare formulation?
Yes. Ironwood Clay has an in-house research and development team that develops and customizes skincare and personal care formulations for brands.
Ironwood Clay has worked on more than 5,000 formulations and developed more than 500 unique formulas across skincare and personal care categories.
Does Ironwood Clay offer skincare contract manufacturing?
Yes. Ironwood Clay provides skincare and personal care contract manufacturing from its facility in Richmond, British Columbia.
Services include formulation, bulk manufacturing, filling, packaging and turnkey product development.
Work With Ironwood Clay
Whether you are sourcing Glacial Oceanic Clay, developing a new skincare formulation or looking for an experienced Canadian manufacturing partner, Ironwood Clay can support your project.
Contact the Ironwood Clay team to discuss raw materials, custom formulation, private label or contract manufacturing.