RECENT NEWS

Boston biotech outfit Ginkgo Bioworks has launched a project with Japanese firm Sumitomo Chemical to produce sustainable molecules for the personal care and cosmetics industries.

Unilever has claimed it has discovered how the skin can be stimulated to maintain its own production of ceramides to improve skin quality and hydration.

Barentz International has acquired ACE Trade CZ, a Czech distributor of specialty ingredients for the personal care, homecare and industrial markets.

South Korea’s cosmetic exports in 2021 surpassed the 10 trillion won ($8 billion) mark for the first time according to government data.

A team of Japanese scientists has discovered how to produce polyethylenimine--based network polymers by simply dissolving triaziridine compounds in water.

Zschimmer & Schwarz has sold Italian personal care product distributor Bregaglio to 2M of the United Kingdom.

Speciality chemicals supplier Azelis has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Chemical Solutions (ChemSol), a distributor of raw materials in the personal care, cosmetics and household markets in Malaysia.

Natural active ingredient engineer Silab has opened a new biotechnology laboratory at its Saint-Viance headquarters in central France.

Sam Farmer, the owner of gender neutral personal care product maker SamFarmer Skincare, has been elected president of the UK Society of Cosmetic Scientists (SCS).

AAK Personal Care and Beiersdorf are on course to meet a sustainability programme target of supporting 10,000 female shea collectors in West Africa by 2024.

V.G. Nair, chief executive of Indian speciality chemicals maker Sami-Sabinsa, has died due to complications from Covid-19.

German specialty chemicals company Lanxess has completed the acquisition of the microbial control business unit of the US group International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) for $1.3 billion.

Danish biotech firm Biosyntia has secured €11.5m funding from venture capital investors to commercialise its fermentation-based bio-based biotin (vitamin B7) for use in beauty and other products.

Croda International has appointed Aris Vrettos to the newly created director of sustainability strategy and transformation position.

British fragrance house CPL Aromas has entered the Brazilian market through the acquisition of Chemarome Brasil, a subsidiary of Chemarome.

Henkel has closed the acquisition of Shiseido’s professional hair business, headquartered in Tokyo.

Israeli jojoba oil supplier Jojoba Desert has been awarded a gold medal sustainability rating by EcoVadis.

Azelis has entered into a distribution agreement with Seqens Advanced Cosmetics, a manufacturer of tailor-made ingredients and solutions.

Global sales of natural and organic personal care products rose by 5.4% in 2021 to $12.5 billion in 2021, according to new research by Ecovia Intelligence.

BASF has appointed Tatiana Kalman as head of its Personal Care Europe regional business unit and managing director of BASF Personal Care and Nutrition GmbH located in Monheim, Germany, effective 1 July.