Lubrizol Acquires Lipotec

Lubrizol Acquires Lipotec

• Lubrizol Corporation has acquired Lipotec SA for an undisclosed amount. Lipotec SA is a leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of personal care ingredients based on three core technologies: peptide-based active cosmetic ingredients, delivery systems and biotechnology products.

The purchase includes Lipotec’s cosmetic active ingredients business and its subsidiaries, Diverdrugs and Lipofoods. This acquisition complements Lubrizol’s global personal care ingredients business, strengthening its offering of high-performance technology solutions to marketers of formulated skin care products.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Lipotec, part of Lipotec Group, is a leading global supplier of cosmetic peptides, a key performance ingredient in skin care products. In addition to peptides and delivery systems, Lipotec has a growing business in biotechnology ingredients for personal care. RecognizedsssLipotec brands include Argireline, Snap 8, Antarcticine and Eyeseryl.
Diverdrugs, the R&D division of Lipotec, specializing in new active compounds in the field of cosmetics and dermatology. Lipofoods develops and manufactures functional health ingredients for the food and beverage industry. The current owners of Lipotec Group will continue their activities in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic finished goods segments through BCN Peptides, GP Pharm and Prima-Derm, which are not part of this transaction.

“This acquisition follows our 2011 acquisitions of Nalco’s conditioning polymer business and Active Organics botanical extracts and natural performance ingredients,” commented Rick Tolin, Lubrizol vice president and general manager, personal and home care. “Adding Lipotec further illustrates our commitment to providing a broad product portfolio, new technology and applications expertise that enhance Lubrizol’s ability to make customers successful through expanded access to innovative ingredients.”

Lipotec has a strong history of innovation and focuses on high-performance applications in skin care that include anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, sensitive skin protection and moisturizing. This innovation is exemplified by Argireline, one of the most successful active ingredients ever launched in the cosmetic market. The company serves an international portfolio of customers in more than 45 countries, from multinational corporations to regional leaders.

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Croda US Launches Renewable Energy Project
• Croda is constructing a $6 million landfill-gas-to-energy project at its Croda Atlas Point chemical manufacturing plant in New Castle, DE. Croda will use landfill gas from the nearby Cherry Island Landfill. The project is expected to be completed in September.

The reclaimed landfill gas will provide enough renewable energy to power 55% of the plant’s operations, and enable Croda to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 33,000 passenger cars from the road.

“Croda has a global goal to obtain 25% of its energy needs from non-fossil sources by 2015,” explained Kevin Gallagher, president, Croda Inc. “We are excited that this venture will help us achieve that goal.”

Croda is investing $5.5 million in the project, and is receiving a $550,000 grant from the Delaware Energy Efficiency Investment Fund.

More info: www.crodausa.com

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CP Kelco Launches AquaMax Functional PC Ingredients
• CP Kelco is launching a line of novel functional personal care ingredients based on a nature-based biopolymer originally discovered in fermented soybeans—such as natto, which is known in Japan.
The AquaMax product line is CP Kelco’s entry into the functional skin care ingredient space and represents the company’s growing interest in offering highly differentiated ingredients for beauty and personal care applications, the company said.

Developed by BioLeaders Corporation of Daejeon, South Korea, AquaMax is a polymer of y–polyglutamic acid produced by the fermentation of a proprietary strain of Bacillus subtilis.

“AquaMAX HM and AquaMax LM offer novel extrinsic and intrinsic modes of action that can bring a number of highly beneficial effects to the skin,” said Bruce W. Hein, global positioning manager, marketing at CP Kelco.

Research has shown that AquaMax effectively captures and retains moisture, helps enhance and extend critical hyaluronic acid functionalities, increases the levels of Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs), contributes to maintaining and improving the structural integrity of the skin, enhances skin moisture, elasticity and reduces TEWL and may moderate undesirable immune responses in the skin.
In other news, CP Kelco has filed a petition with the US Dept. of Commerce (DOC) and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) urging the investigation of xanthan gum imports into the US from China and Austria. The petition contains evidence demonstrating that Chinese and Austrian xanthan gum is being sold into the US market at below fair value, according to CP Kelco.

“Xanthan gum imports have increased dramatically over the past several years due to what we believe to be unfair pricing practices of Chinese and Austrian producers,” said John Taylor, VP, supply chain and logistics for CP Kelco.

“If the investigations determine that the US industry has been competing against unfairly priced imports, the actions taken by the DOC and ITC should restore fair competition in the US market and give all domestic producers an opportunity to maintain and expand US production and jobs in support of the customer base,” said Don Rubright, president of CP Kelco.

More info: www.cpkelco.com

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Taminco Starts New US Tertiary Amines Unit
• Taminco has flipped the switch on its new tertiary amines unit in Pace, FL.

According to the company, this unit, when combined with Taminco’s existing production in Ghent, Belgium, will make the firm one of the world’s leading producers of tertiary amines.

Tertiary amines or alkyldimethylamines (DIMLA; C12-C14 chain length) are key raw materials for amine oxides, betaines, and quats, all of which are surfactants used in a wide variety of industrial and personal and home care markets.

“We are very pleased that our DIMLA unit is now fully operational. It is another important step for Taminco and our customers as it underlines our commitment to be a global supplier and to support our customer’s future growth,” said Sabine Ketsman, Taminco’s executive vice president for Specialty Amines.

Besides DIMLA, the Pace plant manufactures methylamines and alkylamines like butylamines and propylamines.

Taminco has also announced a major expansion of its methylamines capacity in Pace which will come on stream in 2014.

More info: www.taminco.com

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BASF Inks Accord With Global Essence
• BASF Aroma Chemicals Business Unit has signed a distribution agreement with Global Essence Inc., Freehold, NJ, for the purpose of penetrating and servicing small to mid-market customers for menthol products in North America. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“This agreement is in line with our focus on L-menthol, the new addition to BASF’s citral value chain,” said Andrea Wiese, North American sales manager of BASF’s Aroma Chemicals Business Unit. “Our agreement with Global Essence will contribute to our customers’ success in North America.”

“We are delighted to form this strategic alliance between BASF and Global Essence Inc., as it complements and enhances our portfolio of mint and mint related products, a core focus within our flavor and fragrance pallet,” said Katrina Neale, president of Global Essence. “Aligning with BASF adds an internationally renowned and highly respected additional core supplier to the Global Essence family.”

The agreement was signed on site at the World Perfumery Congress in Mashantucket, CT, on June 12.

Website Updates • A number of industry organizations have ramped up their online portals in an effort to provide customers with easier access to information. Active Organics, Inc., a supplier of natural performance ingredients and botanical extracts, has rolled out a newly redesigned website. The new site, www.activeorganics.com, contains new features, imagery and refreshed content about the company, its people and products. The new site is easier to navigate and more functional for customers, including a page dedicated to the company’s innovation process, according to the company. In addition, information on every page can be shared through social media. Micro Powders, Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance wax additives since 1971, has launched a newly designed website for its personal care division. Visitors to MPI’s website, www.MPIpersonalcare.com, will encounter updated features including easy-to-use navigation, improved searching capabilities, newly designed product selector, shopping cart style system for requesting samples, and more accessible information including PDF downloads of technical data sheets, safety data sheets and company brochures. The product selector tool on the site lets the user search for specific products based on the application and properties she is looking for. Once a user finds a product she likes, ordering a sample is quick and easy with the newly created shopping cart style system. The site contains all of the newest MPI products and extended product information. Additionally, all the natural products are now identified with a “green” icon to make it easier to find, said Micro Powders. Kline & Company has unveiled its redesigned website, www.KlineGroup.com, which offers practical new features and services, improved navigation and new tools, according to the company. With improvements throughout, the refreshed website has a greater emphasis on Kline’s range of products, services and social media, according to the market analysis firm. At the new site, users can access Kline’s market research newsletters, webinar archive, events calendar, Kline blogs and news. A new website—www.carecreations.basf.com/?utm_source=HAP&utm_medium=ContentMarketing&utm_campaign=HAP—has been unveiled by BASF for its new Care Creations brand and the “Inspired by life” communications concept. Following the recent launch of the Care Creations brand and the “Inspired by life” communications concept, the new mobile-friendly website reflects BASF Personal Care’s new business approach: drawing inspiration for innovative products from real life—based on a unique combination of science excellence and market empathy, according to the company. The site’s responsive design automatically adjusts to all different display sizes from personal computers, tablet PCs to smart phones, according to the company. German firm Dr. Straetmans GmbH has relaunched its website with a new design and new content. According to the company, the new design is a fusion of human beauty and the aesthetics of natural resources—the two main topics of the company. Information about the company’s services regarding formulation development, regulatory affairs, hair care performance testing or microbiological assessment of finished products as well as hundreds of prototype formulations can be found online, as well as its Sustainability Strategy.