Cognis Acquires Polymer Specialist to Complete Portfolio in Care Specialties

Cognis acquires polymer specialist Cosmetic Rheologies to enhance its position as full-range specialties supplier to the cosmetics industry. Cosmetic Rheologies has a strong expertise in polymer research and manufacture as well as in formulation development, and provides rheology modifiers and conditioning agents.

Effective March 21, 2006, Cognis purchased 100% of shares of Cosmetic Rheologies Ltd. (CRL). CRL is headquartered in Manchester, UK, and has subsidiaries in the US and France. Its main customers operate in the personal and home care industry, mostly in the skin, hair, sun care as well as in the industrial and institutional sectors. The company is highly regarded within the care industry, due to its broad know-how and highly promising polymer development pipeline. Ultragel 300, for example, a novel cationic polymer for rheology control in hair and skin care preparations, has not only been accepted in crystal clear formulations but has also become the preferred thickener for creams and lotions. Its feel characteristics on the skin can be described as non-tacky and exceptional soft and silky. Thus Ultragel 300 is successfully replacing the more traditional non-ionic and cationic thickeners.

According to Richard Ridinger, group vice president, Cognis Care Chemicals, the expertise of CRL will strongly support Cognis’ claim as the leading supplier to the cosmetics industry.

“This is a perfect match. Besides active ingredients, functional polymers will become one of the key drivers for innovation in hair and skin care. In fact, they are the preferred choice for satisfying the challenging demands of tomorrow’s fashions. Through Cosmetic Rheologies we gain superior expertise in the field of rheology modifiers and conditioning agents. Its innovative power opens up very promising prospects for the future of our business.”