Ashland Nets Two Innovation Awards

CHINA:  Ashland’s Harmoniance multifunctional active and in-vitro sun protection factor (SPF) test method won 2017 Ringier Technology Innovation Awards for personal care in China. 


Harmoniance was honored for “Best Functional Ingredient” for skin care. This multifunctional extract of the Sacred Lotus, is sustainably harvested with no added chemicals or solvents. It is used for face and body applications to deliver age-defying benefits.  Ashland’s Zeta Fraction technology captures the metabolic activity of living plants, such as the Sacred Lotus, and consumes minimal energy and creates no waste. Using this proprietary technology, Ashland captures and refines the usability of the Sacred Lotus plant, which has been cultivated in Asia for more than 4,000 years, in a serum fraction.  Scientific evaluations of Harmoniance indicate its applicability for age-defying facial care creams, according to the company.


Ashland’s new in-vitro SPF test method is the exclusive winner of “Best Testing Technology.” Evaluation of the efficiency of sun care products has been assessed through clinical study based on cumulative UV dosage response of skin erythema/sunburn, while current in-vitro SPF test method is instant measurement based on UV spectral transmittance. Ashland’s unique in-vitro SPF test offers customers another choice to measure the efficacy of sun care products. This new test method using Ashland’s proprietary Gafchromic EBT3 film is cost efficient, faster, accurate and based on cumulative UV dosage response of film color change, which is similar to clinical study, the firm said.


 “We are very proud that our efforts to deliver market-leading innovation to our customers have been recognized for the seventh time through these awards,” said William Zhao, general manager, Ashland Greater China. “Ashland is always solving and as a premier specialty chemicals company, we are passionate about helping our customers solve their most complex problems in personal care and cosmetics to amplify the efficacy, refine the usability, add to allure, ensure the integrity and improve the profitability of their products and applications.”