RECENT NEWS

The surge in consumer interest in, and adoption of, natural personal care products around the globe has driven outstanding growth in this segment of the market even as the overall industry has posted lukewarm results, according to a report from market research firm, Kline.

Ashland has celebrated the grand opening of its new Natrosol hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) production facility in Nanjing. At $90 million, the new facility represents Ashland’s largest single investment in China and the Asia Pacific region.

The Lubrizol Corporation’s Noveon Consumer Specialties has unveiled Fixate Freestyle polymer (INCI proposed: Acrylates Crosspolymer-X).

Global supplier of natural and organic ingredients from the Brazilian biodiversity, Beraca, has recently been recognised as a member of the Union for Ethical BioTrade.

Cognis Care Chemicals has announced that 24 personal care products from Cognis have been evaluated and approved for use in personal care formulations that meet the NSF/ANSI 305- 2009e standard.

The 2010 SPIM congress, organised by Greentech and held in Vichy between 17 and 19 November, brought together around 100 participants.

Personal Care’s technical consultant, Anthony Dweck, has had his book, Formulating Natural Cosmetics, published by Allured Books.

ISP has announced the launch of FlexiThix, a versatile thickener highly effective in a broad array of personal care formulations, even those proven difficult to thicken in the past such as anhydrous products, products with high levels of electrolytes and products with extreme pH values.

Specialty chemical producer Rhodia has completed the acquisition of Feixiang Chemicals (Zhangjiagang) after receiving approval of the Chinese authorities. Located in Zhangjiagang near Shanghai, Feixiang Chemicals is China’s leading producer of amines and surfactants, and employs about 650 people.

Chris Smith has replaced Tony Dweck as technical editor of Personal Care. Tony will continue to work with Personal Care in his new role of technical consultant. Chris Smith has worked in the health and beauty industry for over 15 years, with roles across the entire supply chain from R&D to retail marketing.

Arch has announced the addition of Suellen Bennett as the global manager of technical marketing. In this role, Suellen will drive concept development and the execution of global launch products for personal care ingredients.

Pigmentation disorders are a big concern widely shared by most of the populations (Asian, African, Latin-American people). Among benign pigmentation disorders, some are stimulated by ageing (freckles, lentigines and melasma) and stress (inflammatory hyperpigmentation).

After four years of construction, Dow Corning Corporation and Wacker Chemie AG have officially inaugurated their joint integrated silicone manufacturing site in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, China.

Observing changes in spending habits of consumers who are now moving towards products associated with naturalness, effectiveness, safety and pleasure, Crodarom has launched Phytofoam, a botanical complex for the personal hygiene market.

Grant Industries has launched Gransil VX-406, a multifunctional water-soluble silicone wax that delivers a lubricious, silky feel to water-based products such as face toners, serums, gels, wipes, and body washes.

In recognition of the industry-wide acceptance of Lubrizol’s Carbopol polymers, at the 2010 International Cosmetic Regulation and Technology Forum in Beijing, China, Lubrizol Specialty Chemical (Shanghai) was awarded “The Most Popular Raw Material Supplier.”

The 2010 SPIM congress, organised by Greentech and held in Vichy between 17 and 19 November, brought together around 100 participants. This biennial international congress is intended for scientific researchers in the public (university physiologists, biochemists and pharmacologists) and private sectors (industrialists), as well as dermatologists and other healthcare professionals.

SCS Formulate returned to the Ricoh Arena for a second time and once again built on the previous year’s visitor figures, indicating this event is showing no sign of slowing its expansion. Held on 9 and 10 November, the 2010 show delivered a generous range of new products and educational content, all within easy reach for most UK-based people.

Reed Sinopharm Exhibitors has announced the most up-to-date PCHi conference programme, featuring two contemporary themes - “Earth-Friendly Formulations” and “The Macho Side of Personal Care” – that are relevant to every company today.

The Soil Association has launched a new scheme approving the first cosmetic ingredients for use in organic formulations, making it easier for formulators to develop natural and organic products.