Clariant International and Wilmar International received the relevant merger clearances for the establishment of their 50-50 joint venture called “the global amines company,” which is now in operation. The global amines company will be the global platform for production and sales of fatty amines and selected amines derivatives, and this joint venture will be headquartered in Singapore with global sales, distribution and production affiliates. The venture has its own production capacities for amines in Germany and China, contributed by Clariant and Wilmar, respectively, as well as access to amines capacities in Brazil and Mexico. Leveraging on the global reach and the individual strengths of Wilmar and Clariant, the global amines company will seek significant growth opportunities, in particular in the markets of industrial care, home care and personal care.
Merck announced the signing of an agreement with Greenpharma S.A.S. for its cosmetic active ingredient poppy seed extract. According to the agreement, Merck will market the active ingredient globally under its umbrella brand RonaCare as of September 2013. In addition, Merck is responsible for sales, logistics and application technology customer support. Poppy seed extract is a skin-firming substance with a dual mechanism of action.
PT. Kao Indonesia Chemicals, a group company of Kao Corp., completed construction of a new surfactant and industrial chemical plant at Karawang International Industry City (KIIC) in Indonesia. The new plant will begin operation in August 2013, and total production capacity of surfactants will be increased to approximately 1.5 times of current capacity, together with existing facilities that are to be transferred from a current plant located in Tambun, a suburb of Jakarta. The transfer of all operations from the existing plant will be completed by the end of December 2014 and integrated with the new plant.
Oxiteno won the latest Natura Campus Challenge for Sustainable Surfactants with its Alkopon Eco line: Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, 100% Renewable Vegetable Carbon. A derivative of palm and sugarcane oil, this surfactant has applications in shampoo and liquid soap formulations. And as recognition of its victory, Oxiteno won a course in the area of its preference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) short programs.
Brenntag has further expanded its application laboratory facilities with the construction of a new innovation and training center in Thailand. The new facility is situated within the premises of the company’s warehouse and logistics center in Bangkok, and it offers two training rooms and six technical application laboratories. The labs are designed to support Brenntag’s specialties business for personal care, as well as other industries.
Lanxess is relocating its headquarters to Cologne, Germany, and will officially manage its global operations from there as of August 1, 2013. The new home of the company is the Lanxess Tower in Cologne’s district of Deutz. The chemical company’s production is not affected by the move and will remain at current locations.
Unilever has broken ground for its palm oil processing plant in the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in North Sumatera, Indonesia. The plant is operated by PT Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia, a subsidiary of Unilever NV, and it will enable further traceability and segregation of sustainable palm oil to support Unilever’s business, accelerating the transformation of the industry in implementing sustainable business practices.
People News
TRI-K Industries, Inc. announced the appointment of Sandra Moya to the position of sales account manager for Brazil, responsible for TRI-K’s sales programs and strategic market development throughout the South American country. Moya will be located in São Paulo and will report to TRI-K’s regional manager for Latin America. She holds a degree in chemical engineering from the National University of Colombia and was previously with Clariant, where she served as a regional marketing manager; she has also held positions with ISP Colombia and Disinter (Bogotá), among others.
New Launches
Evonik Personal Care introduced an emollient selection tool that makes identifying the ideal emollient easier than ever. The Senses tool considers different parameters and characteristics, with a special focus on sensory aspects of emollients, for beauty and personal care products. Most products are formulated with a mixture of emollients, carefully chosen based on their different structures and physico-chemical properties. Physical aspects like polarity, surface tension, and pour point are among the key characteristics documented in Evonik’s Senses tool. Alongside physical data, the effects of emollients on UV filter solubility are also laid out with the tool.
Natural Sourcing announced the availability of cold pressed Decolorized and Deodorized Grape Seed Oil, an emollient oil that contains antioxidants and omega-6 fatty acids. Due to its rapid absorption by the skin and excellent emolliency, it is well suited for use in massage oils, bath and body oils, cleansers, toners, body and facial creams, eye creams, lip products and hair care products.
Additionally, Natural Sourcing introduced a range of four Rose Hip Seed Oils—Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil, Deodorized and Decolorized Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil, Conventional Rose Hip Seed Oil, and Deodorized and Decolorized Conventional Rose Hip Seed Oil. These nutritive cold pressed oils are packed with vitamins A (retinol), C and E, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. Rose Hip Seed Oil is an excellent ingredient for inclusion in beauty and spa products, while the deodorized and decolorized versions work well for use in white or lightly colored formulations.
Botanic Innovations launched a new fruit seed oil vitamin C serum blend for skin care and other beauty care product formulations. The antioxidant-loaded Fruit Seed Oil Vitamin C Serum with 20% Vitamin C aims to help protect skin from oxidative stresses from the sun, the environment and premature aging while promoting visible rejuvenation. The blend also can help brighten skin tone while promoting moisture and hydration, and encouraging the promotion of elasticity and more pliable skin. It is a progressive proprietary formula made from NatureFresh Cold Press botanical seed oils coupled with an oil soluble form of vitamin C in the multi-active and stabilized form of tetrahexydecl ascorbate. The blend is appropriate for use in skin care or personal care products to pump up antioxidant activity and natural soothing compounds.