Tom Branna, Editorial Director02.23.23
Univar Solutions began 2023 in much the same way 2022 concluded. The specialty chemicals distributor is expanding its network and product offerings to meet the needs of the global household and personal products industry.
In 2022, Univar expanded its technical and formulation services to the EMEA market through its Essen Solution Center and launched a new ANGUS product line — “Botanical Extracts” — in North America. In addition, Univar launched a new strategic ingredient marketing campaign known as “New Sensations,” which explains how to marry the metaverse and beauty through formulation concepts.
“And we continued investment in our brands concierge team to support startup indie brands across North America and Europe,” recalled Tony Jaillot, global vice president, beauty and personal care, Univar Solutions.
All of these moves make Jaillot and the Univar team optimistic about 2023, even as some financial observers warn of global recession.
“We are optimistic as distribution traditionally does well in economic downturns. We solve problems and connect our customers with products that are in demand, but sometimes hard to obtain,” explained Jaillot. “Overall, we remain cautious regarding inflation and the overall economic activity, but we have solid foundations to get through it even stronger.”
Jaillot noted that Univar has strong supplier relationships and an extensive logistics network. The company recently made two acquisitions, one in Europe and one in Latin America, that will further strengthen our ingredient offerings.
In January, Univar acquired Kale Kimya, based in Instanbul, Turkey. According to Jaillot, this acquisition is big step for Univar Solutions in Turkey and the Middle East. Kale Kimya is said to offer best-in-class formulation laboratory capabilities and technical expertise as well as an extensive product portfolio of beauty and personal care products, and home and industrial cleaning products, including surfactants, actives, emulsifiers, preservatives, UV filters, fragrances, polymers, conditioners, esters and emollients.
“We have strengthened our teams with impressive personnel, premier suppliers, and added to an already advantageous geographical footprint,” he said. “The acquisition of Kale Kimya is all about further supporting our customers, opening more doors from ingredient sourcing to technical services and marketing.”
Earlier this month Univar acquired ChemSol Group, a leading ingredients and specialty chemicals distributor operating in Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Honduras. Company executives noted the ChemSol business strengthens Univar’s ingredients and specialties portfolio and Univar’s geographic reach, further enhancing its position as a strategic partner of choice to suppliers and customers.
In addition to acquisitions, Univar is investing in the next generation of tools to help its customers be even more successful with AI formulations, launching new marketing concepts, and bringing new product lines and e-commerce capabilities into the EMEA region.
These and other moves come at a time when personalization is still a leading consumer trend.
“Coupled with the demand for more transparency, formulators must be savvier than ever to capture their target audience,” said Jaillot.
And in a nod to the crossover in home and personal care, Jaillot noted more home care formulas tout moisturization claims. An interesting and exciting skincare trend that we are increasingly seeing in homecare is moisturization and sensitive skin claims on home care product labels.
As a leading distributor to both the home care and personal care markets, Univar Solutions is in perfect position to take advantage of this crossover trend.
In 2022, Univar expanded its technical and formulation services to the EMEA market through its Essen Solution Center and launched a new ANGUS product line — “Botanical Extracts” — in North America. In addition, Univar launched a new strategic ingredient marketing campaign known as “New Sensations,” which explains how to marry the metaverse and beauty through formulation concepts.
“And we continued investment in our brands concierge team to support startup indie brands across North America and Europe,” recalled Tony Jaillot, global vice president, beauty and personal care, Univar Solutions.
All of these moves make Jaillot and the Univar team optimistic about 2023, even as some financial observers warn of global recession.
“We are optimistic as distribution traditionally does well in economic downturns. We solve problems and connect our customers with products that are in demand, but sometimes hard to obtain,” explained Jaillot. “Overall, we remain cautious regarding inflation and the overall economic activity, but we have solid foundations to get through it even stronger.”
Jaillot noted that Univar has strong supplier relationships and an extensive logistics network. The company recently made two acquisitions, one in Europe and one in Latin America, that will further strengthen our ingredient offerings.
In January, Univar acquired Kale Kimya, based in Instanbul, Turkey. According to Jaillot, this acquisition is big step for Univar Solutions in Turkey and the Middle East. Kale Kimya is said to offer best-in-class formulation laboratory capabilities and technical expertise as well as an extensive product portfolio of beauty and personal care products, and home and industrial cleaning products, including surfactants, actives, emulsifiers, preservatives, UV filters, fragrances, polymers, conditioners, esters and emollients.
“We have strengthened our teams with impressive personnel, premier suppliers, and added to an already advantageous geographical footprint,” he said. “The acquisition of Kale Kimya is all about further supporting our customers, opening more doors from ingredient sourcing to technical services and marketing.”
Earlier this month Univar acquired ChemSol Group, a leading ingredients and specialty chemicals distributor operating in Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Honduras. Company executives noted the ChemSol business strengthens Univar’s ingredients and specialties portfolio and Univar’s geographic reach, further enhancing its position as a strategic partner of choice to suppliers and customers.
In addition to acquisitions, Univar is investing in the next generation of tools to help its customers be even more successful with AI formulations, launching new marketing concepts, and bringing new product lines and e-commerce capabilities into the EMEA region.
These and other moves come at a time when personalization is still a leading consumer trend.
“Coupled with the demand for more transparency, formulators must be savvier than ever to capture their target audience,” said Jaillot.
And in a nod to the crossover in home and personal care, Jaillot noted more home care formulas tout moisturization claims. An interesting and exciting skincare trend that we are increasingly seeing in homecare is moisturization and sensitive skin claims on home care product labels.
As a leading distributor to both the home care and personal care markets, Univar Solutions is in perfect position to take advantage of this crossover trend.