The Unscented Company

What The Unscented Company does

The Unscented Company (operating as Baléco Inc.) is a Montreal-based, woman-founded and woman-led consumer packaged goods company that develops and markets fragrance-free household and personal care products. Founded in 2011 by Anie Rouleau, the company sells dish and laundry detergents, all-purpose and bathroom cleaners, shampoo, conditioner, hand and body soap, lotion, deodorant, baby and kids care, and pet care — spanning liquids, bars, tablets, and bulk refills. Its core technical differentiators are proprietary refill systems (Smartbox 10L cardboard refill with handle and tilting feature, plus 4L boxes), solid/tablet formats that eliminate plastic packaging in select SKUs, and biodegradable formulas that degrade at least 80% in 28 days per OECD 301 (above the 60% threshold). All products are certified Leaping Bunny (since 2015), B Corp (score 101.7 in 2025), Women Owned, and meet minimum 90% naturally derived ingredients.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce (with a subscription model offering 15% off the first order and 10% recurring), wholesale via the Faire marketplace, and omnichannel retail across 14+ chains including Canadian Tire, Whole Foods (nationwide USA as of 2025), Bulk Barn, Costco, IGA, Loblaws, Sprouts, Natural Grocers, and Fresh Thyme. Internationally, products reach the United States, Japan (Conran Shop debut, 2024), and distribution partners like iHerb. Target customer segments are fragrance-sensitive consumers, eco-conscious households, families with children, athletes, and pet owners. Headcount is approximately 20+ as of 2025, operating from a Montreal headquarters and a Beloeil-based manufacturing partner on the South Shore. The company is privately held, founder-controlled, and has disclosed only a single CAD $250,000 grant from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (2023) as external financing.

Name

The Unscented Company

Legal name

Baléco Inc.

Website

https://unscentedco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Unscented Company (Baléco Inc.) is a Montreal-based, founder-led consumer packaged goods brand that develops and markets fragrance-free home, body, baby, and pet care products across refill, solid, and tablet formats, sold through its own e-commerce subscription, 14+ retail chains including Canadian Tire and Whole Foods USA, and wholesale marketplaces in Canada, the US, and Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Personal Care

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Friendly Concentrates, Refills & Packaging Systems (CRAJAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Care Tools & Consumables (Sponges, Wipes, Brushes, Gloves, Mop Refills) (CRADAKAM), Laundry Detergents & Boosters (Liquid/Powder/PODS, Enzymes, Bleach Alternatives) (CRADAKAA), Sustainable Cosmetic Packaging (Refillable, PCR, Mono-material, Reusable) (IMALAJAM), Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL)

Keywords

• Fragrance-free personal care
• Biodegradable home cleaners
• Eco-friendly laundry products
• Refillable household essentials
• Natural body care

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Consumer direct purchases through company website; offers subscription model with 15% off first order and 10% off subsequent orders; free shipping thresholds for Canada ($95 CAD) and US ($75 USD)
2. Retail Distribution: Products sold through major Canadian retailers including Canadian Tire, Bulk Barn, Whole Foods, IGA, Jean Coutu, Loblaws, Costco, and US retailers including Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme Market, Natural Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Market
3. Wholesale: B2B wholesale through Faire marketplace for independent retailers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Unscented Company manufactures and sells a comprehensive line of truly fragrance-free, biodegradable home care, laundry, body care, hair care, baby/kids, and pet care products. The portfolio is built around refillable liquid formats (2L, 4L, 10L boxes) and waterless solid formats (bars, tablets) to minimize single-use plastic, with formulas made of minimum 90% naturally derived ingredients that biodegrade at least 80% within 28 days per OECD 301.

Product overview

The Unscented Company offers a comprehensive line of natural, fragrance-free home and body care products organized into Home Care (dish soap, dishwasher tabs, all purpose cleaner, floor cleaner tablets, toilet bowl cleaner tablets, refill kits), Laundry (detergent, tabs, pacs, delicate laundry, whitener, dryer balls, stain remover), Body Care (hand soap, body soap, lotion, lotion bar, deodorant, soap bar), Hair Care (shampoo, conditioner in both liquid and bar formats), Baby + Kids (gentle wash, bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner - all hypoallergenic), and Pet Care (pH-balanced shampoo bar). The company emphasizes sustainability through refillable packaging (2L, 4L, 10L formats) and solid/plastic-free alternatives (bars, tablets). Products are biodegradable (28-day standard), vegan, cruelty-free, and manufactured primarily in Canada with minimum 90% naturally derived ingredients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TUC Kids: Product line for children featuring gentle, hypoallergenic bath and body care products including bubble bath, shampoo, and conditioner
• TUC Baby

Products and services

• Dish Soap Fragrance-free, biodegradable dish soap sold in refillable 4L and 10L cardboard boxes to reduce plastic waste; for households seeking effective dishwashing without synthetic fragrance.
• Dishwasher Tabs Pre-measured biodegradable dishwasher tabs in 30, 72, and 500 count bulk options; ecodesigned for households wanting plastic-free automatic dishwashing.
• All Purpose Cleaner Multi-surface fragrance-free cleaner offered in 800ml spray plus 4L and 10L refill boxes; for everyday household surface cleaning without fragrance or harsh residues.
• Floor Cleaner Tablets Ultra-concentrated biodegradable floor cleaner tablets in 22-tab and 200-tab formats; for consumers wanting minimal-packaging floor cleaning.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets Biodegradable, fragrance-free toilet bowl cleaner tablets in tablet format for plastic-free bathroom cleaning.
• Laundry Detergent Fragrance-free, biodegradable laundry detergent in 1.95L bottle and 4L/10L refill boxes (160-400 medium loads); the company's flagship laundry product for fragrance-sensitive households.
• Laundry Tabs Pre-measured laundry tabs in 35-count biodegradable packaging for convenient, waste-reducing laundry care.
• Laundry Pacs Pre-measured laundry pacs in 35-unit and 300-unit bulk packaging for easy, mess-free laundry.
• Delicate Laundry Detergent Gentle detergent formulated for delicate fabrics and fine-to-wavy hair, including colored hair; fragrance-free biodegradable formula.
• Laundry Whitener Chlorine-free laundry whitener that keeps whites white and colors bright; new improved formula in 1kg package.
• Hand Soap Biodegradable, dye-free hand soap in 500ml, glass bottle, 2L, 4L, and 10L refill formats; the company's flagship hand-care product.
• Body Soap Gentle body soap with simple, effective ingredients in 500ml, 946ml with pump, and 3.78L/4L refill bottle formats.
• Lotion Lightweight, fast-absorbing fragrance-free lotion in 500ml, 500g glass, and 1L refill pouch formats.
• Lotion Bar Solid lotion bar with nourishing cocoa butter formula in 70g plastic-free format for plastic-free moisturizing.
• Deodorant Baking soda-free, aluminum-free deodorant in recyclable oval paper tube packaging; plastic-free personal care deodorant.
• Soap Bar Plastic-free solid soap bar sold individually or in box of 5; made with simple biodegradable ingredients.
• Daily Shampoo Daily replenishing and moisturizing fragrance-free shampoo for fine-to-wavy hair including colored hair; available in 500ml, 946ml with pump, 2L, and 3.78L refill formats.
• Shampoo Bar Clarifying shampoo bar with apricot and jojoba seed oil in 65g plastic-free format.
• Daily Conditioner Nourishing daily conditioner that hydrates and detangles for softness and shine; in 500ml, 946ml with pump, 1L, and 3.78L refill formats.
• Conditioner Bar Solid conditioner bar with shea and cocoa butter; new-formula plastic-free option for sustainable haircare.
• Baby Wash & Shampoo Tear-free, hypoallergenic gentle baby wash and shampoo in 550ml; third-party certified hypoallergenic under dermatological supervision.
• Big Bubble Bath Gentle bubble bath for children in 500ml and 1L refill formats; part of the TUC Kids + Baby line.
• Shiny Shampoo + Wash Kids shampoo and wash in 500ml and 1L refill formats; hypoallergenic formula from the TUC Kids + Baby line.
• Smooth Conditioner

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,483,841 plastic bottles saved in 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cirka DistilleriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration during pandemic to create Health Canada-approved hand sanitizer from only 3 ingredients; unique local partnership providing sanitizer to Montreal community during supply shortages; rainbow branding theme
• Share the WarmthcoreOthersMonetary and product donations plus employee volunteer hours to Pointe-St-Charles and Verdun communities; company commits 0.5% of total revenue; employees contribute during dedicated volunteer hours; partnership since 2021
• Canadian TirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand campaign 'Daily Essentials, Made Simple' developed with Canadian Tire as key retail partner; 5-year partnership milestone celebrated 2025; products prominently featured across stores nationwide
• Avril SupermarchéminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuebec-based natural grocery retailer partner for 'Daily Essentials, Made Simple' brand campaign
• Longo'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOntario-based grocery retailer partner for 'Daily Essentials, Made Simple' brand campaign
• Montreal RosescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial supplier to Montreal's first professional women's soccer team; training centre fully stocked with body and home care essentials; partnership supporting women in sport and community engagement
• ROR NYCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiverse cycling team collaboration that led to Times Square billboard featuring The Unscented Company; partnership originated from Charlevoix gravel bike race connection
• Grand défi Pierre LavoieminorGTM or Marketing Partner2024 partnership with all-women cycling team representing TUC for 1000km challenge; products introduced to 1500+ cyclists; funds raised for physical activity programs at École Notre-Dame-de-Perpétuel-Secours
• Catherine BernierminorOthersPhotographer and surfer from Nova Scotia who created the TUC wave artwork for home care product packaging; captured wave imagery at Peggys Cove representing Canadian identity and ocean awareness
• Valérie Derome-MasséminorOthersPhotographer who captured mountain image for body care product packaging during sunrise at Lac Ouimet in Laurentians; trip to Vancouver inspired the design direction
• OrkestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative agency that produced TUC Manifesto video, bringing company mission to life through impactful video storytelling in 2021
• Baked Good ImpactminorOthersConsulting partner that helped achieve new B Corp score of 101.7; supported social and environmental performance improvement
• PickPackminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReusable packaging partner offering up to 50 reuses per packaging; reduces waste and conserves resources; includes free return shipping through Canada Post; customer receives $4 discount on next order for participating
• Maghalie RochetteminorOthersProfessional cyclist and first TUC ambassador; passionate about sustainability and reducing environmental impact; has cycling podcast and active on Instagram
• Mathieu Bélanger-BararetteminorOthersCycling athlete (Mathos) and granola bar connoisseur; known for adventurous approach to challenges; environmentally motivated to reduce impact
• Sarah Bergeron-LaroucheminorOthersTrail running athlete, trained chiropractor, mother to Nina; sustainable training approach combined with adaptability; committed to thoughtful healthy choices for family
• Marc-Antoine ForandminorOthersLong-distance runner whose journey began after son Noah diagnosed with Down syndrome; deeply committed to making a difference; embodies company's values of kindness, sincerity, and determination

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Dr. Bronner's: Certified B Corp natural personal care brand with comparable sustainability credentials (organic, fair trade, refillable packaging); competes in body care, soap, and increasingly laundry and home care.
• Method Products: Eco-friendly cleaning and personal care brand (now part of SC Johnson/Ecover) known for biodegradable formulas and design-forward packaging; directly competes with TUC in home and body care aisles at Whole Foods and other natural retailers.
• Attitude: Canadian (Quebec-based) eco-friendly home and personal care brand offering natural, EWG-validated cleaning and body care products; extremely close direct competitor given shared Quebec origin, sustainability positioning, and overlapping product categories.
• Plaine Products: Refill-focused natural personal care brand offering aluminum bottles with refill pouches; shares TUC's refill-system DNA and eco-conscious positioning in body care categories.

Broad incumbents

• Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day: SC Johnson-owned home care brand positioned around plant-derived ingredients and eco-friendly formulations; overlaps with TUC's dish, laundry, and surface-cleaning offerings in the same natural retail channels.
• Grove Collaborative: Eco-friendly household and personal care omni-channel retailer and brand house carrying many overlapping categories (cleaning, laundry, body care) with a strong sustainability and refill story.
• Seventh Generation: Unilever-owned leader in plant-based, fragrance-free and eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products; competes across TUC's home and laundry categories with much broader scale and distribution.

Emerging players

• Meliora Cleaning Products: B Corp certified natural cleaning brand with plant- and mineral-based laundry and home care products; comparable sustainability positioning and similar absence of synthetic fragrances.
• Common Good: Refill-focused cleaning brand offering refill pouches and concentrated formulas; shares TUC's waterless and refill-driven innovation approach in home care.

Regional players

• Biovert: Quebec-based eco-responsible household cleaning brand; regional peer sharing TUC's Quebec manufacturing footprint and francophone Canadian distribution base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxUYtJ-r0G-eG5M2Y1HmKqQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/unscentedco
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/unscentedco
• Instagraminstagram.com/unscentedco

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Unscented Company