P&G Enlists 3D Technology For New Ariel Launch

• UAE: P&G has always focused on new ways to make consumers’ lives easier, and now it has harnessed 3D technology in that quest, specifically in a new rollout from its Ariel.

P&G scientists spent more than three years on a project in which patented 3D technologies were used to see and understand fabrics, fibers and stains, the company said. Tools such as micro computerized tomography (MCT) enabled scientists to see all angles of fabric fibers. MRI technology helped provide better understanding of how stains penetrate fibers, and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) helped examine the fabric’s surface and better learn how stains get trapped deep inside the fibers.

New Ariel with Micro Boosters works by prepping the surface with a polishing action to let the cleaning agents enter the fiber network; it then reduces the negative charge of the micelles, enabling them to get deep within the layers to extract stains from the inside out, according to P&G.

The new 3D enhanced Ariel was launched during a two-day event in Dubai. The consumer products giant showcased the “World’s Deepest Cleaning Test,” a 3D projection mapping on a large building within a construction site in downtown Dubai.

Ariel with Micro Boosters, which hit stores in the Middle East and North Africa in July 2011, is being rolled out in phases to Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.

AkzoNobel AcquiresBoxing Oleochemicals
• CHINA: AkzoNobel plans to further strengthen its leadership position in specialty surfactants while enhancing its manufacturing footprint in Asia by acquiring Boxing Oleochemicals, a leading supplier of nitrile amines and derivatives in China and throughout Asia.

Established in 1993 and based in the province of Shangdong, Boxing had revenues in 2010 of approximately €100 million. Boxing’s activities will be integrated into AkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistry business, which manufactures and supplies specialty surfactants, synthetic and bio-polymers additives, used as formulation ingredients and process aids in many applications ranging from home and personal care to asphalt road paving.

Demand in Asia for amines and derivatives is being driven by population growth, expanding middle class, increased focus on sustainability and the build-up of infrastructure, notably in China and India.

“This is an excellent opportunity which couples our strategic ambition to accelerate growth in Asia with our commitment to locate production closer to our customers,” said Rob Frohn, AkzoNobel’s executive committee member responsible for specialty chemicals. “Boxing’s leading market position in amines will complement AkzoNobel’s growing specialty surfactant business in Asia. The acquisition will also provide a strong local manufacturing operation in the region.”

According to Bob Margevich, managing director of AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry, the “demand for amines and derivatives is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, with a third of the Asian demand for amines coming from China alone. We plan to enhance the process capabilities and increase capacity at the Shangdong site by introducing our state of the art manufacturing technology. We will also introduce new products to the marketplace based on AkzoNobel’s product and application know-how.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to closing conditions, including the approval of the Chinese authorities. The deal is expected to be finalized in the last quarter of 2011.

Organic Monitor SeesGrowth in Middle East

• UAE: Healthy growth in the Middle Eastern market for natural cosmetics is continuing despite political instability and social unrest. A new report by Organic Monitor predicts revenues will expand by about 20% this year. Natural cosmetic sales are increasing at a fast rate in key country markets, although turbulence in the region has curbed investment and consumer spending power.

The UAE natural cosmetics market is the largest in the region, comprising over half of total revenues. In other countries, demand is mainly concentrated in major cities, such as Riyadh, Kuwait City and Manama. The study finds affluent consumers and tourists generate most demand for natural and organic cosmetics in the region.

The major drivers of market growth are growing consumer demand for “chemically-clean” cosmetics and expanding distribution, according to the report. Product penetration is increasing in pharmacies, beauty retailers and department stores.

High growth rates, however, are partly because the market is growing from a small base. Compared to Europe and North America where the market share is above 3%, natural products comprise just 0.1% of cosmetic sales in the Middle East. Although the region has a sizeable consumer market, adoption rates are low because of lack of consumer awareness and high product prices. There is also an absence of indigenous brands, with European and US brandscapitalizing on high market growth rates.

Market leaders include Korres and Neal’s Yard Remedies partly because of their distribution strategies. Both are investing in concept stores, enabling them to educate consumers. Direct marketing also gives these brands the advantage of fostering customer relationships and getting vital feedback. In its Middle-Eastern Market for Natural Cosmetics report, Organic Monitor predicts Neal’s Yard Remedies to become market leader if it continues to expand its retail network in the region.

The market analysis finds companies are facing difficulties in marketing natural cosmetics to consumers. Unlike Europe and North America, the Middle East has a small market for organic products, preventing consumer demand to percolate from foods to cosmetic products. In mainstream channels, there is high competition from “pseudo-natural brands,” which are often cheaper and supported by large marketing budgets.

More info: www.organicmonitor.com

Algenist Skin Care BrandDebuts in UK’s Space NK
• UNITED KINGDOM: Solazyme, Inc. has struck a deal with United Kingdom’s beauty retailer Space NK to expand the sales network of the its skin care line, Algenist, to include all 60 Space NK stores throughout the country. The brand, which features alguronic acid, rolled out in Space NK stores and online in July 2011, retailing between £52 and £76.

The Space NK launch bolsters existing retailer offerings, which include Sephora International, Sephora USA, Sephora Canada, QVC and The Shopping Channel.

“Algenist has defined an entirely new category of anti-aging skin care products, which compliment Space NK’s goal of offering selective, high quality, and effective beauty lines from exclusive brands around the world.”

In clinical trials, Algenist’s key ingredient, alguronic acid, demonstrated superior anti-aging benefits and outperformed a multitude of highly successful regenerative compounds including hyaluronic acid and retinol, according to the company.

“The Algenist brand has galvanized the skin and personal care space by placing biotechnology at the forefront of cosmetic innovation,” said Frederic Stoeckel, senior vice president & general manager, Solazyme Health Sciences. “Algenist has defined an entirely new category of anti-aging skin care products, which compliment Space NK’s goal of offering selective, high quality, and effective beauty lines from exclusive brands around the world.”

“We are very excited to announce the launch of Algenist exclusively at Space NK stores,” said Nicky Kinnaird, founder of Space NK. “This innovative skin care line, showcasing breakthrough anti-aging ingredient alguronic acid, fits perfectly within Space NK’s brand portfolio, and we anticipate as high a demand and success as Algenist has enjoyed since its launch in the United States.”

Cleaning Products Europe Forms Advisory Committee

• ITALY: Cleaning Products Europe 2012, which will be held March 20-22, 2012 in Rome, has formed its advisory committee. The roster includes Keith Grime, president, JKG Consulting and AOCS;
Keith Rutherford, global R&D director, Unilever;John Wasonga, R&D technology manager, Reckitt Benckiser;Mark Stalmans, manager scientific external relations, Procter & Gamble;Dirk Develter, R&D manager, Ecover;and Dallas Hetherington, global innovation manager, AkzoNobel, according to event organizer IntertechPira.

With the help of these key industry players, the program will be expertly put together to focus on the need for collaboration between partners, bringing together detergent manufacturers and machinery manufacturers, to ensure both parties are aware of developments in each sector and to develop a platform for synergy, noted organizers. Topics that have been proposed so far include consumer interests andretailer perspectives, performance results from testing laboratories and regional trends.

More info: www.cleaningproductseurope.com

Shiseido, PanasonicLink on Beauty Device

• JAPAN: Shiseido Co., Ltd. has collaborated with Panasonic Corp. to create a special size of Shiseido’s AquaLabel Moisture Lotion for Panasonic’s Handy Mist, an ultrasonic, battery-operated beauty device, which will be released Nov. 1. The device releases a spray of fine mist through an ultrasonic micro vibrating mesh, supplying moisture to the skin in 30 seconds.

AquaLabel Moisture Lotion in a 30ml special size is included as a set package with Ultrasonic Beauty Device Handy Mist at the time of purchase. After using up the lotion, refills are available at stores.

AmorePacific Acquires Annick Goutal Fragrances

• JAPAN: Amore Pacific Group has acquired French luxury perfume brand Annick Goutal from Starwood Capital. Details of the acquisition were not available.

Amore Pacific, which was ranked No. 15 in Happi’s 2011 International Top 30 Report, touts Lolita Lempika fragrances.