Sumitomo Acquires Presperse

Sumitomo Acquires Presperse

Sumitomo Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Sumitomo Corporation of America have entered into an agreement to acquire Presperse LLC, a formulator and distributor of specialty ingredients and formulated solutions for the cosmetic and personal care markets. A purchase price was not disclosed.

According to Sumitomo, the move expands its presence in the global cosmetics market. Furthermore, it will enable Presperse to grow in international markets such as Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Japan.

Presperse’s leadership team will, for the most part, remain the same: Greg Torchiana is president and chief executive officer, Jeanette Black is chairman emeritus and Stuart Axelrod is senior executive advisor.



P&G Converts Detergent To Compact Formulas
The Procter & Gamble Company is compacting its entire U.S. and Canadian portfolio of powder laundry detergents beginning in February 2011. The move will bring to the market new compacted powder versions of Tide, Gain, Cheer, Dreft and Ivory Snow brands that will bring meaningful environmental benefits while cleaning the same number of loads using less detergent than non-compacted formulas, according to P&G.

The new compacted detergents join other products in the P&G Future Friendly portfolio, such as Tide ColdWater, PUR and Cascade Action Pacs, that help reduce waste, save energy or save water while offering value and outstanding performance.

The new compacted detergents provide consumers with the same number of loads in a detergent carton that is smaller, resulting in a convenient product that is easy to handle and store. The compacted formulas and smaller cartons also allow for increased efficiency including reduced fuel consumption and a reduction in packaging.

“Powder compaction is a win-win from operations all the way through consumer use,” said Len Sauers, vice president, sustainability, P&G.

By compacting its entire carton powder laundry detergent lineup, if consumers dose as recommended, P&G could help save the equivalent of the energy needed to provide 34 thousand average homes with electricity for a year.

“As Future Friendly products, concentrated powder detergents show how simple choices can lead to meaningful results,” said Maurice Coffey, marketing director, P&G Future Friendly. “By taking this small step with our consumer, we can create benefits for the environment and ultimately improve consumers’ lives.”
More info: www.pg.com/sustainability



Clarins, InterParfums Form Partnership
Group Clarins USA and the Paris-based InterParfums SA have created a U.S. subsidiary, called InterParfums Luxury Brands, which will go into operation on Jan. 1, 2011, according to a joint statement by Philippe Benacin, president and chief executive officer of the parent Inter Parfums, and Stanislas Archambault, managing director of the new luxury brands subsidiary.

The new subsidiary, which includes Burberry fragrances and makeup, Lanvin, Montblanc and Jimmy Choo, will be located within the Clarins Fragrance Group, a division of Group Clarins USA, a subsidiary of the Paris-based Clarins. Jonathan Zrihen, president and chief executive officer of the New York-based Clarins, said the two companies would share and manage the sales force together, with the combined staff selling brands from both firms.

The Clarins lineup consists of Thierry Mugler, Azzaro, Porsche Design, David Yurman and Swarovski. The New York firm will provide administrative and logistical support from its offices on Park Avenue and warehouse in Orangeburg, N.Y. The objective is to share costs, create a larger critical mass and build the business, Zrihen said. The Clarins chief said the existing sales force can be expanded by 20-25%. Each company, however, will continue to invoice retailers directly.

Also, after Jan. 1, 2011 InterParfums is expected to end its distribution agreement with Procter & Gamble Co., according to Zrihen.



Zemea Propanediol Is First NPA Certified
The Natural Products Association (NPA) has granted its first certification for an ingredient in the home care category to DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products for its Zemea propanediol, a natural solvent, making it the first home care ingredient to be certified as natural under the organization’s Natural Home Care Standard and Certification program.

Zemea propanediol is a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based glycols where the product’s purity level, low irritation and excellent moisturization properties are benefits.

The “natural” designation means that the NPA and an independent third-party auditor have reviewed the ingredient and determined that it meets the organization’s rigorous guidelines. Under the Natural Standard program, certified ingredients must be 100% natural—raw materials must be sourced from a renewable resource found in nature (flora, fauna, mineral), with absolutely no petroleum compounds, and processed within the association’s list of allowed processes.

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products has announced the expansion of geographic coverage in Europe for Zemea propanediol. The company has appointed the IMCD Group as distributor for Zemea in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In addition to the newly authorized countries in the Nordic and Eastern European regions, IMCD also manages distribution of Zemea in France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

“This partnership is founded on a common commitment to meeting our customers’ needs. With its strong ingredient platform, market knowledge and excellent customer relationships, IMCD is well-positioned to serve the needs of cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products’ customers throughout these countries,” said Steve Hurff, vice president of sales, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products.

IMCD has offices and warehouses in 31 countries in Europe, Africa and Australia/Asia.
More info: www.duponttateandlyle.com



Creation’s Garden Launches Website
Creation’s Garden, Los Angeles, launched its website on Sept. 1 to provide consumers with natural, organic supplementation products and educate the public on the importance of health and wellness.

Founded in 1992 by Dino Guglielmelli, Creation’s Garden manufactures nutritional supplements, liquids, juices, powders and teas using certified organic and standardized ingredients. Creation’s Garden also distributes skin care products from Skin by Monica Olsen, a natural cosmeceutical skin care line, and Flying Basset, plant cell supplements for dogs and cats.

The website hosts an online library with articles on wellness, proper supplementation, good nutrition and facts about vitamins to better inform consumers on supplements.
More info: www.creationsgarden.com



Private Label Show Is Nov. 14-16 in Chicago
As store brands’ popularity soars among U.S. grocery shoppers, the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is gearing up for a record-setting private label trade show Nov. 14-16 at Chicago’s Rosemont Convention Center. The PLMA show features more than 2,000 exhibit booths from the leading manufacturers of private label goods and, according to PLMA, total exhibit space for 2010 is currently running 5-10% ahead of last year’s exhibit space.

Exhibiting companies at the PLMA show produce store brands across virtually all food and non-food product categories. On the non-food side, the show includes health and beauty care, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, vitamins and nutrition, household, kitchen and cleaning products, DIY and general merchandise.

On Nov. 14, PLMA will also present a series of seminars and workshops from 1-3 p.m., offering a range of experts, opinion and insights on the latest trends, technologies, research and growth opportunities for store brands.

On Nov. 15, PLMA’s Salute to Excellence Breakfast will offer a keynote presentation by Don McGeorge, former chief operations officer of The Kroger Co.
More info: www.plma.com



Ecolab Acquires Dober Chemicals’ Laundry Unit
Ecolab Inc. has purchased the commercial laundry division of Dober Chemical Corp., a privately-held Woodridge, IL firm. Dober’s commercial laundry business had 2009 sales of approximately $37 million.

“This acquisition strengthens our North American commercial laundry business, adding significant customer relationships and business scale. Further, it provides unique technology in data management and wastewater solutions that will improve the value of our offerings and better serve our customers,” said Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We expect this transaction to enhance our returns on our existing investment in textile care and create opportunities for new business development in the market.”



David Babaii for WildAid, Kate Hudson Settle Lawsuit
An out-of-court settlement has reportedly been reached in a lawsuit that involved actress Kate Hudson and David Babaii for WildAid LLC.

In 2008, 220 Laboratories, a Riverside, CA manufacturer of hair, skin and body products, filed the complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California against David Babaii for WildAid, LLC and others for misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and breach-of-contract. 220 Laboratories claimed it created the beauty products that the celebrity hairstylist launched as WildAid.

According to an attorney for 220 Labs, 220 originated the blend of tropical ingredients being sold by Babaii, and is the only source of a key ingredient (volcanic lava ash) used in the products.



Oxis, Lauder Subsidiary Settle Patent Dispute
Oxis International, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA, and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. have resolved a dispute between Lauder’s subsidiary, Applied Genetics Incorporated Dermatics (AGI), and Oxis regarding technology related to U.S. Patent Nos. 6,103,746 (the “746 Patent”) and 6,479,533 (the “533 Patent”) entitled “Methods and Compositions for the Protection of Mitochondria.”

An agreement provides Oxis with full title to the 746 and 533 Patents in exchange for Estée Lauder receiving a non-exclusive license under the 746 and 533 Patents within the cosmetic market.

The material terms and conditions were not disclosed.



Clorox Takes the ‘LEED’
The Clorox Company corporate headquarters is now one of only 38 buildings in the U.S. to achieve Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Building/Operating and Maintenance (LEED-EB) certification. Platinum LEED-EB certification is the highest sustainability recognition an existing building can attain.

Clorox’s 34-year-old headquarters building, which accommodates approximately 1,400 workers along with several retail establishments and other tenants, is one of the oldest buildings to achieve this environmental certification level.