RECENT NEWS

Indianapolis-based Biosynthetic Technologies, which makes synthetic compounds called estolides from organic fatty acids found in various bio-derived oils, has acquired Innoleo, a specialist in castor oil and derivatives located in Ohio.

Researchers at Cambridge University have found new means to produce metre-long structurally coloured films that can be processed into effect pigments and glitters which are dispersible, even in water-based formulations.

Biesterfeld Spezialchemie has become the exclusive distributor of bio-based and biodegradable cellulose raw materials of J. Rettenmaier & Söhne (JRS) for the personal care segment in Germany.

Danish biotech Biosyntia has signed a contract with Germany’s Wacker Group to develop a large-scale production process for fermentation-based biotin based on Biosyntia’s technology

Massachusetts-based biotech Conagen has announced the successful development of kaempferol via a proprietary fermentation technique. This will be marketed via the company’s commercial partner, Blue California.

Innospec has revealed that its Iselux (INCI: Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate) range of sulfate and 1,4-dioxane free surfactant technology, has been approved for use in China.

Researchers have found a serious lack of proper studies into the most used active ingredients for sensitive skin in facial care products.

Symrise has successfully completed the first production trials for the specific requirements of its 1,2-alkanediols at the site in Granada, Spain, which it acquired in April 2021.

Grand View Research (GVR) has published two new reports on the global anti-acne cosmetics and lip care products markets.

Gryphon Investors has acquired Vivify Specialty Ingredients, in partnership with current family owner Aakash Shah, who will stay on the board of directors, and the management. CEO Devlin Riley and other senior managers will remain in place.

The Jungbunzlauer Group has announced that Bruno Tremblay has been appointed as its CEO from 1 May. This follows a decision by existing CEO Tom Knutzen to retire after nearly ten years in the role, although he will remain a board member at the firm

Phospholipid supplier Novastell has shared insight into two of the biggest trends fuelling personal care and beauty in 2022: nutricosmetics and nootropics.

The Humane Cosmetics Actcame into force on 1 January in the US state of Virginia, preventing cosmetics manufacturer from conducting or contracting for cosmetic animal testing there. It also bans the sale of cosmetics tested on animals from 1 July.

French white biotech firm Lantana Bio and Danish biotech Biosyntia have signed an in-licensing deal for flavonoids.

Speciality ingredients firm Vertellus has acquired Jarchem Innovative Ingredients of Newark, New Jersey. Terms were not disclosed.

BASF Care Chemicals has announced plans to build a 1,500 tonnes/year plant to make its Uvinul A Plus brand of UVA filters at Jinshan, China, in addition to existing production at Ludwigshafen in Germany. This should come onstream in 1H 2023.

James Robinson Speciality Ingredients (JRSI) has launched a dedicated 186 m2 biotechnology R&D facility called the Biotome division in Manchester. The company is seeking to focus more on naturally derived products for the personal care market.

Switzerland’s DKSH has acquired the distribution business of Spanish firm HealthTech BioActives (HTBA), which produces and distributes a flavours, ingredients, additives and intermediates to the food, pharmaceutical and personal care industry.

Petronas Chemicals Group (PCG) operation BRB International has officially opened a GMP blending facility in the vicinity of PCG’s petrochemical complex in Gebeng, Kuantan, Malaysia. This has 8,000 tonnes/year of capacity.

Two French banks, Bpifrance and BNP Paribas Développement, have both taken minority stakes in Herbarom, which the company will use “to launch a new growth phase”. The amounts involved were not disclosed.