Croda Celebrates 75 Years at Atlas Point Facility

• Croda Inc marked the 75th anniversary of its Atlas Point site earlier this month. The event attracted dozens of customers, local officials and employees. Croda International Plc purchased the facility in 2006 as part of its acquisition of Uniqema from ICI.

(l to r): Dave Johnson, Steve Foots, Martin Flower, Kevin Gallagher and Bob Stewart

Since then, Croda has invested more than $70 million to upgrade the facility and boost its sustainability. For example, earlier this year, Croda Inc broke ground for a new landfill gas to energy project that is nearly complete—part of Croda International Plc’s goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuel by 25% by 2015. And last year, Croda installed solar panels at the site to support a more sustainable future.

“The Atlas Point manufacturing site has a long history of innovation since its beginnings in 1937,” said Kevin Gallagher, president, Croda Inc. “It is truly an influential site, responsible for the creation of some of the chemical industry’s most well-known emulsifiers (Spans and Tweens).”

Since opening in August 1937, the Atlas Point site has been a center of innovation and a big supporter of the local community.

(l to r): Steve Foots, group chief executive, Croda International Plc; Bob Stewart, site manager, Croda Atlas Point; Martin Flower, chairman, Croda International Plc; Kevin Gallagher, president, Croda Inc; and Dave Johnson, managing director, operations, Croda Inc

“Croda has been enormously successful in recent years,” noted Steve Foots, group chief executive, Croda International Plc. “Our share price has increased six-fold since we acquired Uniqema in 2006, and that’s a reflection of the increased profits that we have been able to generate from the combined company post acquisition. One of the most important assets in that acquisition is this facility, as well as the important human assets of the people who work here.”

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PLMA Salutes Excellence
• The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) announced that more than two-dozen retail chains and wholesalers from across the country were selected as the winners of this year’s Salute to Excellence Awards. The awards give recognition for new store brands products that exemplify the high quality, innovation and value to consumers that continue to drive private label sales and market shares to record highs.

Although most winners were in the food category, a subject not covered by Happi, there were several winners in the household products and beauty:

• Baby: The Kroger Co. Kroger Baby Gentle Sunscreen Lotion;
• Bath & Body: Delhaize America Healthy Accents Green Tea Mint Cleansing Hand Wash;
• Cosmetics & Beauty Care: Sephora & Pantone Universe Color of the Year Eyeshadow Quad (at right);
• Laundry & Cleaning: Save-A-Lot Save-A-Lot Today Soap Scum Remover;
• OTC & Healthcare: Wakefern ShopRite Menthol Strawberry Eucalyptus Cough Drops; and
• Personal Care & Toiletries: Costco Wholesale Kirkland Signature Moist Flushable Wipes;

Overall, supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers and wholesalers from all regions of the US submitted more than 400 individual product nominations. Eight jury panels consisting of industry professionals as well as consumers judged entries.

The criteria for the judging included product concept; product taste, texture and smell (for food items); packaging and presentation; and value for money, according to PLMA.

All of the winning products will be featured during PLMA’s 2012 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago with a special Salute to Excellence Awards showcase located within PLMA’s Idea Supermarket, and also promoted online following the show at www.plmawinners.com.

More info: www.plmawinners.com

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Celanese Launches Website
• Celanese has launched its new website to better serve the needs of its customers, stakeholders, communities and employees. The new design features easy-to-use navigation, updated content, video, case studies highlighting product innovation and improved search functionality.

The customer-focused website centers on Celanese products and the industries where they are utilized, according to the company.

Customers can still find products within the individual business sections of the website with ease and with enhanced content. In addition, customers can start a search via a particular application and then view all the products offered company-wide for that end-use.

More info: www.Celanese-Emulsions.com

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LuroMed Appoints Lipo for Biopolymer Line
• LuroMed, LLC has appointed Lipo, a Vantage Specialty Chemical’s global personal care business, as worldwide distributor of the Biopolymer line of personal care products.

The Biopolymer line of products, formerly marketed as Biocare Polymers, is a line of hyaluronic acid complexes that provide improved hydration and substantivity in personal care formulations. This representation will help expand the current LuroMed and Lipo relationship beyond their current partnership in the production and marketing of Hylasome EG-10.

LuroMed, LLC develops and commercializes proprietary polymer technology for use in topical skin care and in medical applications. LuroMed LLC has licensed its technology for various HA-based products from Genzyme Corporation. This license includes unique HA-polymer complexes used in personal care applications. LuroMed also develops and produces its own HA ingredients. HA is a useful and effective component in personal care, particularly skin care products, due to its natural ability to moisturize, protect (as a free radical scavenger) and deliver actives.

More info: www.lipochemicals.com

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CR Brands Acquired By Resilience Capital Partners
• CR Brands, Inc., a national manufacturer and marketer of branded and private label household cleaning and laundry products, has been acquired by private equity firm Resilience Capital Partners. Headquartered in West Chester, OH, CR Brands operates manufacturing facilities in Spartanburg, SC, and markets its products under the nationally recognized brands Mean Green, Biz, Oxydol, Pine Power and Magnum Power.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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WFFC Sponsors The Art Of Scent Exhibit at MAD
• Women in Flavor & Fragrance Commerce (WFFC) is asponsor of The Art of Scent, 1889-2012, on view from Nov. 13, 2012 through February 24, 2013, at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York, NY.

Organized by Chandler Burr, curator of olfactory art at MAD and former New York Times perfume critic, this is the first museum exhibition dedicated to exploring the design and aesthetics of olfactory art from 1889 to the present.

The exhibition opens with the design of Jicky (1889) by Aime Guerlain, who helped usher in the modern era of synthetic molecules alongside natural materials. Each scent on display represents an olfactory milestone and captures the most significant work and ingenuity of its creators spanning two centuries.

The exhibition installation was designed by Diller, Scofidio + Renfro.

The WFFC sponsorship marks its increasing commitment to provide education and understanding of the flavor and fragrance industry, which it serves. This partnership also reflects WFFC’s New York presence and continued growth.

“We are excited about our partnership with MAD, which reinforces our commitment to qualitative and creative educational programs with the level of expertise our members expect from an organization today,” said WFFC’s president Celine Roche.

More info: www.wffc.org

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Micro Powders Appoints New Agents in US
• Micro Powders, Inc. has appointed new sales agents for the US, naming EES Cosmetic Solutions, Emultec, McCullough & Associates and Pacific Coast Chemical Co. (PCC) to represent its personal care product line of specialty micronized wax additives.

Micro Powders, Inc. (MPI) designs and manufactures innovative specialty micronized waxes. They produce the finest synthetic, polyethylene, PTFE, polylactic acid, polypropylene and natural waxes, and use these materials to create distinctive micronized wax products and specialized blends.
“We are confident that these partnerships will allow us to continue to provide the excellent support that our customers have come to expect from Micro Powders,” said Deena Strauss Kornblau, director, Micro Powders, Inc.

EES Cosmetic Solutions will service the Northeast area. Emultec will be representing Micro Powders in Texas. McCullough & Associates will service the Southeast region. Pacific Coast Chemical Co. will service the West Coast.

Micro Powders, Inc. will service the Midwest region and should be contacted directly with any questions.

More info: www.MPIpersonalcare.com

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Ball Acquires Extruded Aluminum Packaging Business in Mexico
• Ball Corporation has entered into agreements to acquire Envases del Plata S.A. de C.V., a leading extruded aluminum aerosol packaging producer with a manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and to form a new joint venture in Argentina that will combine Ball’s and Envases del Plata Group’s aerosol packaging operations in Argentina and in Brazil. The acquisition was expected to close last month.

“These actions are consistent with our Drive for 10 strategy to broaden Ball’s geographic reach and expand into new products and capabilities,” said John A. Hayes, Ball’s president and chief executive officer. “The acquisition in Mexico will provide a platform to grow our North American extruded aluminum packaging business, and in Argentina the new joint venture will leverage the combined strengths of Ball’s steel aerosol can business in Argentina with Envases’ extruded aluminum aerosol business in Argentina and Brazil.”

The San Luis Potosi plant produces extruded aluminum aerosol cans for personal care and household products to customers in North, Central and South America. It employs approximately 150 people and operates five manufacturing lines.

The plant will become part of Ball’s Food & Household Products Packaging Division, Americas, and will complement Ball’s existing aluminum aerosol business in Europe, Ball Aerocan, and the North American extruded aluminum aerosol slug business that Ball acquired in 2010.

Ball is the largest supplier of extruded aluminum slugs in the world, and this acquisition provides a new end market for Ball’s products including the company’s ReAl technology that enables the use of recycled material and meaningful lightweighting in the manufacture of extruded aluminum packaging.
The new Argentine joint venture, called Envases-Ball, will include Ball’s steel aerosol can plants in Buenos Aires and San Luis, Argentina, and Envases’ extruded aluminum packaging plants in the same locations and in Manaus, Brazil. Envases will own 75% of the joint venture, and Ball will own the remainder. Ball will provide technical and other assistance to the business and under the terms of the agreement can elect to acquire or exit the joint venture in the future.

More info: www.ball.com

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DKSH Partners with Wacker
• DKSH’s Business Unit Performance Materials has started a strategic partnership with Wacker. Under the exclusive distribution agreement, DKSH will market Wacker’s Biosolutions products fermenter cysteine and bioengineered cyclodextrins, which are premium sugar compounds marketed under the Cavasol and Cavamax trademarks.

The new regional agreement covers the whole of Southeast Asia, Greater China and parts of the India subcontinent, specifically India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

“Thanks to our unparalleled distribution footprint in Asia, we can leverage on our size, experience, and industry know-how to provide tailored services and exceptional distribution opportunities for Wacker Biosolutions,” commented Cori Diaz, VP key client management, DKSH Performance Materials.

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Fragrance West Buys Monarch Fragrances
• Fragrance West has acquired Monarch Fragrances, a boutique Atlanta-based company. A purchase price was not disclosed. Fragrance West is a division of Horn, a North American distributor of specialty ingredients. Horn Essentials is the business unit dedicated to the personal care, HI&I, car care, pet care and candle/air care markets.

“The acquisition of Monarch allows Fragrance West and Horn to offer a broader range of fragrance options and finished product solutions,” explained Christina Fiduccia, vice president, Horn Essentials. “By combining resources, our customers will benefit from improved application, analytical, technical and regulatory support. Monarch and Fragrance West already share a passion for innovation and creativity. Adding Horn’s experienced and technically proficient sales force to the equation results in a very unique and formidable combination of talent.”

Fragrance West’s sales have quadrupled since it opened four years ago. More than 70% of new business has come from outside California and more than 50% from outside the western states.

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Salvona, Zschimmer & Schwarz Form Partnership
• Zschimmer & Schwarz Chemie GmbH and Salvona Technologies LLC have forged a global strategic growth partnership as Zschimmer & Schwarz acquired shares of Salvona.

The partnership will extend the product portfolio of both companies while also strengthening the position and service expertise of each party.

The partnership is inline with the growth strategy of Zschimmer & Schwax and its desire to diversify and expand its reach while focusing on advanced technologies that can benefit a wide range of consumer.

For Salvona, the strategic partnership will allow the company to expand its market and activities with the benefit of Zschimmer & Schwarz’s worldwide sales network. Additionally, Salvona will expand its production in the US and plans to continue this expansion into Europe.

The combined collaboration will bring further investment into Salvona’s GMP manufacturing capabilities and fully automated, state of the art, delivery systems to meet the growing need for effective and skin friendly dermatological topical solutions.

Zschimmer & Schwarz will further strengthen its position in the global market for chemical specialties, particularly in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

The move will place Salvona as the official representative of Zschimmer & Schwarz specialty products for skin and hair care in the US.

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Scoular and Weishardt To Market Naticol in the US
• The Scoular Company’s Food Ingredients Group will serve as the exclusive distributor of nutricosmetic ingredient Naticol in the US. Used as an ingredient in women’s anti-aging products, Naticol is a marine collagen peptide produced by French manufacturer Weishardt.

“Marine collagen peptides are a brand new generation of collagen peptides, and we’re very excited to offer this scientifically-backed ingredient to our customers who are positioning themselves to take advantage of the growing market for women’s anti-aging products,” said Anne Brown, senior manager of Scoular’s Food Ingredients Group.

Produced from fish skins and scales, marine hydrolyzed collagen is shown to have several nutritional and health benefits related to anti-aging according to a whitepaper recently released by Weishardt and The Scoular Company. The whitepaper features the results of two studies, including a human clinical study conducted in the spring of 2012.

Both human clinical studies revealed that users of Naticol marine collagen peptides experienced improvements in skin hydration and elasticity as well as a reduction in wrinkles.

Research from additional studies also suggest that ingested marine hydrolyzed collagen has anti-inflammatory properties, that it may improve the absorption of dietary calcium, and that it has hydrating properties when applied topically.

Naticol is a hydrolyzed collagen peptide, one of the few protein ingredients that dissolves and becomes clear in water, Its lack of color, odor and taste have made it a widely-used ingredient in Japanese and European nutricosmetics.

More info: www.weishardt.com or www.scoular.com

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Vantage Specialty Chemicals Acquires Desert Whale Jojoba
• Vantage Specialty Chemicals has acquired Desert Whale Jojoba Company, a US grower, producer and processor of jojoba and jojoba-based derivatives, oils and specialty ingredients. The purchase includes Desert Whale’s farms where the company grows and harvests jojoba.

The acquisition complements Vantage Specialty Chemical’s global personal care business under the Lipo brand, strengthening its offering of natural, Ecocert and organic solutions to marketers of formulated skin and hair care products, the company said.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Tucson, Desert Whale is the first manufacturer controlling every aspect of production and is a leading grower and producer of jojoba-derived ingredients for personal care and color cosmetic applications.

Co-founder and president of Desert Whale Soraya Rohde will join the Vantage Personal Care team to manage the jojoba and natural derivatives business.

Jojoba oil is an emollient for skin care, color cosmetics, cleansers, hair care and sun care. Desert Whale‘s unique branded products have broad functionality, and are used for gloss enhancing, moisturizing, conditioning, exfoliating and gentle deep cleansing with a wide range of applications.

Many are also available in certified organic and Ecocert approved grades.

“Vantage and Desert Whale Jojoba share a joint vision to provide the market with functional, natural products with proven efficacy,” commented Chris Humberstone, executive vice president, personal care. “Adding Desert Whale to our personal care group exemplifies our commitment to providing a broad product portfolio and new technology with applications expertise to offer real benefits to our customers formulating with innovative, green and natural ingredients.”

“This agreement opens new and exciting doors for Desert Whale Jojoba to grow our business globally drawing upon the extensive international network and formulating expertise of the Lipo Personal Care Division.

The companies have complementary product lines, allowing us to elevate our combined technologies, providing innovative solutions for our global customers,” said Rohde.

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Earthly Body Has New Headquarters
• Earthly Body has relocated its headquarters to a 50,000-sq.ft. facility in Chatsworth, CA.The new facility, located at 21900 Plummer Street, will accommodate current employees and clients, while allowing room for future growth, according to the company.

Earthly Body’s new headquarters features an in-house retail center, education center, guest offices for visiting domestic and international distributors, accommodations for the company’s in-house sales, PR, marketing, accounting and shipping departments, and a 30,000-sq.ft. production warehouse.

More info: www.earthlybody.com

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Carrubba Has New Enhanced Website
• Carrubba Inc., the Milford, CT manufacturer of custom fragrances, flavors, and botanical extracts, has recently relaunched its website, www.carrubba.com. The new site includes information for more than 500 botanical extracts, as well as updated standardized extract offerings, and covers the uses, benefits, and properties of botanicals popular in personal care products. Technical information is also presented about the types of extracts, compositions, and options that are available for the formulating chemist and product developer. Included on the website are the firms’ new standardized extracts.

More info: www.carrubba.com

Changes for Home Fragrance Firms MVP Group and Nest MVP Group, owner of Colonial Candle, has sold off other business to Ganz. • There’s been some recent changes at two well-known home fragrance firms, as Toronto-based gift company Ganz has purchased Midwest-CBK from MVP Group International and luxury candle maker Nest found a new investor. In the MVP-Ganz deal, the acquisition includes the Midwest-CBK brand name holiday, gift, and home and outdoor decor business, however MVP Group has retained the Colonial Candle and Everybody’s Ayurveda brands along with some other units, as well as its Union City, TN distribution facility and staff. The Midwest-CBK product line and the MVP Group International brands of Colonial Candle, Everybody’s Ayurveda, Genuine Monkeez, Monkeez Makes a Difference and Goofballz, will continue to be available through the Midwest-CBK sales team, the company announced. MVP Group International is a large manufacturer and distributor of candles. Brands include Colonial Candle premium home fragrance products and Everybody’s Ayurveda natural and Ayurvedic products, along with popular private label brands. With corporate headquarters based in Charleston, SC and plans to expand internationally, MVP Group has offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide including Elkin, NC; Union City, TN.; Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, according to the firm. In other home fragrance and candle news, Tengram Capital Partners (TCP), a Connecticut-based private equity firm, has acquired a “significant stake” in home scenting firm Nest Fragrances. Laura Slatkin, founder, will continue to lead the company as CEO and form an executive leadership team. Terms of the deal were not released. “We see enormous growth potential for Nest Fragrances and we are very excited about this new partnership,” said Matthew Eby, co-founder and managing partner of TCP. “In addition to her long-standing reputation in the industry, we have tremendous respect for what Laura has been able to accomplish with the Nest brand in a relatively short period of time; we are very much looking forward to working with her and her talented team to drive the brand’s continued expansion into new product categories and international markets.” Slatkin founded Nest in 2005 after Slatkin & Co., the home fragrance company she co-founded and helped build into a premier luxury brand with her husband, Harry Slatkin, was acquired by Limited Brands, Inc. The firm initially focused on private-label projects and licenses for some of the world’s most prestigious beauty, fashion and lifestyle brands before launching the Nest Fragrances home collection in 2008 at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Nest is more than candles these days. In July, Nest launched a new line of personal care products, including body wash and body cream. This month, Slatkin is taking Nest into fine fragrance with a collection of three fine fragrances in eau de parfum and body cream. “I am delighted that TCP shares our vision to grow and evolve Nest Fragrances into a world-class luxury lifestyle beauty brand,” said Slatkin. “TCP has a proven track record of investing in strong, iconic consumer brands to unlock their true potential and their partnership will be instrumental as we expand our product portfolio and bring our exceptional luxury products to more consumers in the United States and abroad.”

Morre-Tec Celebrates 25th Anniversary Len Glass, founder, Morre-Tec • From a one-man operation founded in 1987 by Len Glass, Morre-Tec Industries, Union, NJ has grown into a multimillion-dollar business offering a variety of products and services including specialty chemicals, repackaging services and adhesives. Before founding Morre-Tec, Glass held various technical and sales positions, including chief chemist and VP-sales, at several major domestic chemical companies. From that one-man operation founded 25 years ago, the company has grown to include more than 25 employees—all united to getting the job done on time, on specifications and earning our customers’ satisfaction and continued patronage. FDA registered and cGMP compliant, according to Morretec. In 1998, Glass created the Extracts & Ingredients division, which is devoted to new natural materials for the personal care and nutritional industries. Extracts & Ingredients represents several eco-friendly suppliers of fragrances, surfactants and emulsifiers to a growing number of personal care and nutritional companies. The company is an ISO-9001-2008 registered manufacturer and distributor of bromine compounds, specialty chemicals, and unique products for the biotech industry, as well as the personal care and nutritional industries as well as specialty adhesives for distinctive applications. Additional capabilities include contract and custom micronizing, blending, grinding and repackaging at Morre-Tec’s 25,000 sq. ft. facility located in Union, NJ. Today, Glass and his team continue to evaluate new products and opportunities. For example, in recent years, the company added the Olivoil line of emulsifiers from Kalichem Italia srl. To celebrate its silver anniversary, Morre-Tec invited dozens of friends and customers to a luncheon celebration and a plant tour of its Union, NJ facility.