Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - North America EU edition

Companies must look out for green packaging traps

Manufacturers must be wary of the environmental credentials of green packaging materials and avoid using them just for their marketing benefits, says one research group.

Alcan innovation director discusses marrying luxury and sustainability

Luxury and sustainability may appear irreconcilable but beauty packaging firms are working on ways to combine the two concepts.

Cognis showcases latest innovations for Asian formulators

Cognis and its active ingredients partner Laboratoires Serobiologiques chose this week’s PCHi show in Guangzhou China to demonstrate its latest ingredients and green credentials.

World Wide Packaging invests in new equipment for plastic tubes division

World Wide Packaging (WWP) is investing in 17 new tubing and printing machines at its cosmetics packaging facilities in China.

Revlon appoints chief financial officer to board of directors

Revlon’s chief financial officer has been elected to the company’s board of directors where he will serve as president of the cosmetics company.

Baby boomer spending power hits ‘economic wall’

Growth in cosmetic products targeting baby boomers looks shaky as this highly active consumer group sees savings and investments hit by the economic crisis.

Unnecessarily high preservative levels may cause contact allergies

Some cosmetics products may be over-preserved, which could lead to an increase in contact allergies, according to researchers in Denmark.

ColorMatrix targets cosmetics with colour matching system

ColorMatrix Group is adding features to its new colour match and delivery system targeting the fast-moving plastic beauty packaging market.

French company launches home laser epilation system

E-One is claimed to be the first ever laser-based home epilation system to be launched in the fast-growing market for hair removal systems.

Industry and government must commit more resources to nanotech risk research

Research spending on nanotechnology risks is woefully inadequate and industry participation in data gathering projects has been limited, according to the Wilson Center’s Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.

New research gets to the root of graying hair

New understanding of how high levels of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicle makes hair go gray may open doors to possible treatments, according to new research.

CCA Industries reports big fall in sales and profits

Niche beauty provider CCA Industries has reported a fall in profit and sales as costs mount in an increasingly tough retail environment.

Beauty from within is going mainstream, says Euromonitor

Danone may have pulled the beauty yogurt Essensis from French shelves but a Euromonitor analyst insists that the ‘beauty from within’ trend is still heading mainstream.

Fenchem strengthens its position in personal care

China-based ingredients supplier Fenchem says it has launched a new skin whitening technology to tap into the growing global market for this type of product.

Natrue and QAI work towards cross-border recognition of organic standards

Natrue is working on a mutual recognition agreement with Quality Assurance International (QAI) that the certifier hails as a step towards international harmonisation.

Rexam buys out Mexican production joint partner

Rexam has bought out the remaining 50 percent share it did not already own in its joint venture with Mexican company Pavisa Industries.

Rosemary antioxidant may help protect against UV damage

An antioxidant found in herbs such as rosemary may help protect against UV damage when taken orally, according to Spanish scientists.

Risdon has no intention of filing for bankruptcy, says director

Risdon International has cut production but denies that it is considering bankruptcy and insists that the cosmetics packaging company is on route to financial recovery.

Avon restructuring could mean 3,000 fewer employees

Avon says its newly expanded restructuring plan should see the company’s workforce shrink by up to 3,000, while the number of sales representatives is set to rise.

'Made with Organic' standard a step closer to harmonisation, says NSF

NSF’s ‘Made with Organic’ standard for personal care products is a step towards much needed harmonization, according to the standard creators.

Rite Aid suncare targets consumers trading down

US pharmacy Rite Aid has released its own range of sun care products in the hope of catching consumers looking to trade down.

Weekly comment

Peanut scandal sends a safety warning to cosmetics firms

The scandalous outbreak of salmonella in peanuts flashes up a warning signal about attitudes to risk and safety that cosmetic manufacturers ignore at their peril.

Rexam's sales growth in personal care slows

Rexam says reduced consumer demand in the last two months of the year hit personal care and closures harder than healthcare.

News in brief

Natura Cosmeticos reports strong quarterly results after mixed year

Natura Cosmeticos has reported a sharp rise in fourth quarter sales and profits following a year of mixed fortune for Brazil’s biggest cosmetics company.

Ageing and vanity lift Croda to high sales growth

Supported by a “vibrant” personal care market, Croda has reported high sales growth in the latest quarter, bucking the downward trend among chemical groups.

Avon extends restructuring to cut costs

Avon says it is extending its restructuring plan into a $900m savings program that will focus on efficiencies within the global supply chain.

P&G uses genomic approach to identify new anti-aging ingredients

Procter and Gamble’s recent anti-aging offering, its Pro X range, includes the active ingredient hexamidine designed to help restore the skin’s barrier function.

NSF's 'made with organic' standard becomes an American National Standard

NSF International’s ‘made with organic’ standard for personal care products has been adopted as an American National Standard.

Anti-aging tipped to survive the recession unscathed

Mintel expects anti-aging creams to remain unblemished by the recession following years of market leading growth.

L'Oreal turns to cheaper products to spur future growth

L’Oreal plans to release lower price products in an attempt to stop consumers swapping to cheaper brands.

Budelpack Holding calls in adminstrators to save leading contract manufacturer from collapse

Budelpack Holding has called in the administrators putting the future of one of Europe’s largest contract manufacturers of cosmetics in doubt.

Anti-aging water could hit US shelves, says Frutarom

Flavors and fine ingredients company Frutarom is targeting the fast growing beauty from within market with a new anti-aging offering.

US ingredients player targets Russian personal care market

Global chemicals player Huntsman has signed an agreement with Zavod Sintanolov to produce surfactants for the Russian personal care market.

Risdon International considers bankruptcy

Risdon International is considering bankruptcy and has temporarily shut down cosmetic packaging operations in the US.

L'Oreal reports drop in sales as results miss target

L’Oreal has reported a fall in sales in the last quarter of 2008 bringing years of high growth rates to an abrupt end.

Weekly comment

The Body Shop’s woes cannot be blamed on the economic crisis alone

The Body Shop needs a health check, judging by L’Oreal’s 2008 financial results. The brand reported a sales drop of 2.3 percent, not accounting for new stores opened during the year.

Amcor reiterates interest in Alcan Packaging

Amcor has reiterated its interest in Alcan Packaging but says that any acquisition will be limited to its “nominated growth segments.”

Botanical actives are leading the ingredients market, says report

Improved performance and consumers' love of all things natural is pushing the trend for plant-based active ingredients, according to a recent Kline report.

New discoveries could improve shampoos for colored hair, says P&G

The presence of liquid crystal structures in shampoos can help polymers protect bleached hair during and between washes, according to new research from Procter and Gamble.

Advances in color science could lead to new foundations, says P&G

Procter and Gamble (P&G) claims that new understanding of how the skin reflects light could help create better foundations.

Industry won't stray from sustainability despite recession, say beauty packaging leaders

Sustainability can be expensive but leaders in the beauty packaging industry claim they cannot afford not to go green.

Canada expected to demand data from suppliers of nanomaterials

Canada is poised to become the first country to demand that companies report their use of engineered nanomaterials.

Cosmetics Compact: Essential oils can transform into allergens

Cosmetics Compact brings you highlights of the sites' top science. This week, essential oils are in the spotlight as a Swedish researcher suggests they can become allergenic compounds on contact with air or skin enzymes.

Middle East witnesses a series of shampoo-related scares

Saudi and Dubai health authorities have issued warnings after separate incidences of toxicity in a range of shampoos on sale to the public.

Financial dispute breaks out between Henkel and Budelpack

Budelpack is locked in a financial dispute with Henkel that puts the future of another of its cosmetic factories in doubt.

Nanotech dream will turn to ashes without regulation, says MEP

Nanotechnology’s promise will ‘crumble to ashes’ if regulation doesn’t ensure products are safe before reaching the market, according to a Swedish MEP.

Recommendations on European trade mark case are "bad news" for L'Oreal

L’Oreal has suffered another setback in its long-running legal battle against Bellure, the Belgium perfume makers which sold discount scents on their similarity to big brands.

Strong dollar and weaker sales hit profits at Revlon

Revlon said that a strong dollar had a significant negative impact on its international sales, while poor sales of key brands hit results further.

MeadWestvaco keeps an eye on acquisition opportunities

MeadWestvaco (MWV) is searching for acquisition opportunities in the packaging industry despite the economic gloom.

Rexam invites designs for its EZi foamer

Rexam is inviting manufacturers and formulators to design products for its new EZi foamer, as part of its Foam Formulation Challenge.

IFF appoints new head of global fragrance research

International Flavors and Fragrances has announced a new head of global fragrance research, charged with driving innovation and profitability within the division.

Shiny hair courtesy of the sea beet, says supplier

BiotechMarine’s new ingredient promises to improve hair volume and shine by targeting both the hair shaft and the scalp.

Tweens and teens targeted with new skin care line

A niche is developing for tween and teen skin care products, evinced by the new launch from New Jersey-based company, Before.

Alcan develops new cosmetics tube from recycled materials

Alcan Packaging Beauty claims to have developed a plastic tube made with recycled materials that makes no compromises on quality.

Organic fine fragrances not sophisticated enough, says expert

Consumers will have to change their expectations before the market for organic fine fragrances can take off, says industry insider.

Fragrance growth to be driven by naturals trend

Demand for natural personal care ingredients in the US is set to help drive market leading growth within the massive flavors and fragrance industry.

Bathroom energy drain sparks new product ideas

Above the buzz of conversation at the busy PCD Congress in Paris, CosmeticsDesign.com spoke to Eric Scheid from Henkel to find out how studying the life-cycle of cosmetics can spark green product ideas into life. A shower gel starts life on the factory floor and travels miles to reach consumers but it is in the bathroom where the product does most damage to the environment. Scheid quantifies this damage and explains how waterless soap and new packaging designs can reduce the energy soaked up in the morning wash.

News in brief

Cosmeceuticals Summit offers discount to HBA X-Ceuticals attendees

IntertechPira is offering a discount for the Cosmeceuticals Summit to industry professionals who had signed up for the canceled HBA X-Ceuticals Synergy Conference.

Indian company launches spice-based cosmetics preservative

Salicylates & Chemicals has launched a new preservative for personal care products based on curry leaf and cinnamon leaf oils.

Are cosmetics labeling violations in Canada rife or rare?

CanWest News Service recently ran an investigative story into widespread cosmetics labeling violations in Canada but the authorities insist that the vast majority of products comply with all legal requirements.

IFF opens Shanghai creative center to target China market growth

US flavour and fragrance supplier IFF has opened a creative centre in Shanghai in order to capitalize on significant growth potential in the region.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says FDA fails to protect public

FDA operates under ‘Bush-era tactics of secrecy and delay’ and fails to protect the public, according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC).

Naturals predicted to stay strong in face of economic downturn

Some of the biggest cosmetic players are positioned to tap into continued growth in the naturals personal care market despite the economic gloom, a study reveals.

Milkweed may hold natural sunscreen potential

The modified oil of the milkweed seed may help protect the skin against UV rays, according to scientists with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

News in brief

Coty-owned Del in trouble over patent infringement case

Classified Cosmetics has won another small victory in its ongoing alleged patent infringement case against Del Laboratories.

Losses mount for Parlux despite sales growth

Fragrance-maker Parlux blamed advertising expenses and the instability of the global economy as third quarter net profits dip into the red, sending share prices falling.

Weekly comment

Failure of Danone beauty yogurt is a learning opportunity

Danone pulled beauty yogurt Essensis from French shelves last week and left behind a lesson in how not to market edible cosmetics.

Marketing of green packaging should be avoided, says professor

Green marketing of sustainable packaging materials can be a boomerang that comes back to hit brands in the face, says professor.

Essential oils can become allergens on contact with air and skin, says researcher

Essential oils may become allergenic on contact with oxygen in the air and certain skin enzymes, according to recent research.

Sweet whey targets ‘scaly skin community’

PL Thomas has launched a whey-based ingredient clinically proven to benefit psoriasis sufferers, although its marketing will feature a broader skin health sell that doesn’t venture into the territory of disease reduction.

Estee Lauder slashes 2,000 jobs as downturn bites

Estee Lauders has announced around 2,000 jobs are to go as it implements a restructuring program on the back of lower second quarter results.

IFF is 'cautiously optimistic' for 2009 despite margin pressures

High raw material costs and lower sales take their toll on the bottom line at International Flavors and Fragrancesf (IFF).

Canadian government bans two chemicals from cosmetics

Health concerns have prompted Canadian authorities to ban two chemicals from cosmetics as part of a major review of potentially dangerous substances.

Dermatological specialist Sinclair Pharma completes Nova acquisition

Dermatological and oral care specialist Sinclair Pharma has expanded its European footprint by acquiring the remainder of Spanish company Laboratorios Nova Pharma.

Internet marketing has big potential for small companies

Internet marketing provides opportunities for smaller companies when print and TV advertising is out of budget, according to industry insider.

Skinvisible targets China with polymer delivery technology

Skinvisible has signed a partnership with RHEI Pharmaceuticals of Belgium, allowing it to license its dermatology products in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Tupperware sales suffer from strong dollar

Tupperware’s beauty business suffered significant losses over the quarter prompting a change of leadership in an attempt to ‘reinvigorate’ the segment.

ENSO targets green packaging trend

In line with the trend for natural ingredients, consumers are also demanding green packaging, something that ENSO Bottles it tapping into.

Dr Scheller to sell production facility to Weckerle

Germany-based personal care provider Dr. Scheller says it is in advanced negotiations to sell its Eislingen production facility to contract manufacturer Weckerle Cosmetics.

Chinese medicine inspires Mibelle’s sensitive skin ingredient

Switzerland-based ingredients supplier Mibelle has looked to the East for its new ingredient for sensitive skin.

Restructuring saves the day for Avon

Although sales slipped 9 percent in its fourth quarter aggressive restructuring has helped to boost profits by 80 percent.

ARS develops corn protein-based polymers

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has developed a new method of purifying zein corn protein, giving it potential uses in the cosmetics industry.

Industry voice needed in benefit sharing negotiations

Industry can still make its mark on negotiations that will clarify a company’s responsibilities to indigenous communities when sourcing biodiversity-based products.

P&G shows early scars from economic blows

Founded in a period of economic upheaval in 1837, Procter & Gamble has thrived in good and bad times but in the latest quarter the company has struggled to avoid the fallout from the spreading recession.

Economic hardship means margin pressures will hit cosmetic players

Continued pressure on margins is likely to be one of the biggest challenges faced by the personal industry as a direct result of the worsening global economy.

Weekly comment

The definition of a cosmetic may need some treatment

The approval of an eyelash enhancing prescription drug from Allergan suggests the time has come to clarify the difference between a cosmetic and a drug.