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

Cost cutting and emerging markets help boost Colgate profits

Colgate-Palmolive posted a significant rise in its third quarter profits, lifted by strong sales in emerging markets and cost-cutting measures that contributed to increased operating income.

P&G's beauty division lags behind in Q1

Proctor and Gamble reported on target sales growth for the first quarter but beauty lagged behind other divisions after a health scare hit the sales of a key skin care product in Asia.

Avon reports positive profits supported by healthy sales

Avon's third quarter results show a significant increase in profits supported by successful third quarter sales, illustrating how the company is reaping the benefits of its restructuring initiatives.

Special Interview

Multinationals flex naturals muscle

The increasing participation of multinationals in the natural and organic cosmetics sector, and the current lack of legislation, may be marginalising the smaller companies who have been operating in the sector for many years, according to Amarjit Sahota, the director of Organic Monitor.

Alberto-Culver reports high sales growth for Q4

Alberto-Culver has reported high sales growth and solid operating profits for the fourth quarter and fiscal year, just under a year after spinning off its Sally Beauty retail business.

Cyanotech's Bioastin obtains structure/function claims

Hawaii's Cyanotech Corporation has obtained four new structure/function claims for its Bioastin following FDA review, as it looks to make consumers more familiar with the benefits of astaxanthin.

Eco labels aimed at carbon neutral packaging

In the fight to reduce carbon emissions for the personal care industry eco packaging has become a focal point, evinced by one US label producer which claims to be leading the way.

P&G to make products and operations greener

Proctor and Gamble (P&G) has announced its plans to improve the environmental profile of its products and operations, promising to reduce CO2 emissions by a further 10 percent by 2012.

Alcan takeover seals packaging sell-off

UK-based mining group Rio Tinto has taken over Alcan in a $38.1bn (€26.5bn) deal that will result in Alcan's packaging arm being separated from its aluminum mining business.

Lower US sales and higher costs hit Estee Lauder profits

Despite Estee Lauder reporting a healthy increase for its first quarter sales, profits have been hit by lower operating income as a result of increased marketing expenses and falling US sales.

Inter Parfums rides wave of sales growth

Cosmetics and fragrance firm Inter Parfums continues its rapid expansion reporting high sales growth for the third quarter and announces the inclusion of male fragrances in its licensing agreement with surfing brand Quiksilver.

L'Oreal is on track to hit high sales target

L'Oreal overcame the stagnant US market and met high sales expectations for the third quarter with the help of several product releases including the launch of Diesel's first fragrance.

Paraben-free hair care for wigs and hairpieces

The launch of a paraben-free hair care range specifically designed for use on synthetic wigs and hairpieces highlights new market opportunities for the chemical-free trend.

Sederma releases ingredient to fight against double chins

A new ingredient designed to fight against the appearance of a double chin illustrates the increasing segmentation of the anti-aging market.

Tupperware focuses on growth in emerging markets

Strong third quarter sales figures at Tupperware Brands indicate that direct selling cosmetics firms should concentrate on emerging markets as the retail channel has lost popularity in some established markets.

Personal care firms must focus on search engine marketing

Personal care manufacturers should work on improving their online search engine marketing, suggests a new study completed in conjunction with Proctor and Gamble (P&G).

Material and marketing costs hit Kao profits

Global personal care giant Kao has announced that its year-on-year six monthly profits fell by nearly 1 percent as costs mounted, a result that takes into consideration trading under its newly acquired Kanebo Cosmetics business for the first time.

Shiseido uses improved solar power to cut costs

Shiseido has fitted solar panels to the roof of its New Jersey facility to help save the company $100,000 a year, indicating that financial and environmental goals are not necessarily incompatible.

Broccoli extract provides long-lasting sun protection

Topical application of broccoli extract may provide long-lasting protection against UV damage by stimulating the cell's own protective mechanisms.

Ingredients firm Sensient carries on growing

Leading supplier of colors, flavors and fragrances for the cosmetics industry, Sensient Technologies, continues to perform strongly, delivering solid sales figures and high profit levels in the third quarter.

Anti-aging range promises surgery-like results

NutraLuxe MD releases its micro-encapsulated anti-aging range, which includes seven products that promise surgery-like results without pain or the use of harsh preservatives.

Kimberly-Clark reports quarterly sales record

Operating profits at Kimberly-Clark increased by almost a third as the personal care giant posted record sales figures for the third quarter driven in particular by a strong performance in emerging markets.

Parlux CEO appointed to Fragrance Foundation board

Parflux Fragrances CEO Neil Katz has been appointed to the board of directors for the Fragrance Foundation, a move that stresses his influence within the industry and the strengthened position of the company.

Clarins fights back after US sales crisis

Luxury French cosmetics group Clarins has bounced back from a sales crisis in the US to post strong third quarter sales figures.

Beraca hopes ethics and sustainability will prove a winner

Brazilian ingredients supplier Beraca believes its entry into the international competition, World Challenge, will bring attention to the work it is doing to support local communities in the amazon, while sourcing cosmetic ingredients without threatening the environment.

Call for international co-operation within the cosmetics industry

The International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation (ICCR) is calling for increased international cooperation within the industry, in areas such as nanotechnology and alternatives to animal testing.

Device embeds RFID tags into packaging

A new way of embedding radio frequency identification (RFID) tags into pack cases could reduce the cost of using the tracking technology, according to the companies involved in the project.

Word of mouth marketing tactics work best

While advertising channels continue to multiply new evidence suggests that old fashioned word of mouth is a far more powerful selling tool than internet and mobile phone adverts.

Natural foot care meets baby boomer demands

As the number of graying baby boomers swells so too are the number of natural based products aimed at this group - a fact evinced by the growing number of natural foot care products on the market.

Unigen targets European cosmeceuticals market

Unigen announced it has established an office in Brussels, Belgium so as to facilitate its access to the European cosmeticeuticals market.

J&J profits fall but solid sales driven by personal care growth

Strong personal care sales fed solid third quarter top-line growth for Johnson & Johnson (J&J) but restructuring costs hit margins.

Brazilian suppliers' ethical stance garners shortlisting for global prize

This year's World Challenge 2007 competition, promoted by the BBC and Newsweek, features a project initiated by Brazilian personal care ingredient supplier Beraca that highlights the company's ethical practices.

Vitamin K shows potential in the fight against wrinkles

Research suggests that vitamin K plays a role in protecting skin elasticity and may help protect against skin aging and the development of wrinkles.

LVMH reports strong sales in tough luxury market

Strong sales of cosmetics and perfumes at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton indicates that there is life in the luxury market, despite the US economic slowdown.

Lush to open new stores in Macy's

UK-based Lush has announced plans to expand its presence in the US by opening shops in select Macy's stores nationwide.

A sustainable bio-packaging material to replace polypropylene

A new starch based bio-packaging material promises to replace polypropylene, helping the plastic packaging industry to reduce its reliance on oil.

Unilever denies exploitative marketing accusations

Unilever has fought back against accusations from a consumer group that the company uses the same exploitative marketing techniques that it recently denounced in a high profile campaign.

Regis eyes European expansion with merger

Global hair care leader Regis is targeting further expansion in continental Europe by merging its European salon operations into the Franck Provost Salon Group, a move that creates the largest hair salon company in Europe.

Trade associations dismiss lead in lipstick safety claims

European and American trade associations have dismissed claims from a consumer group that some lipsticks on the US market contain unacceptably high levels of lead.

TRI-K launches nano emulsion in a gel

New Jersey-based TRI-K Industries and its parent company Kemira has launched a new nano-based gel aimed at enhancing the efficacy of a wide range of skin care products.

Cosmetics packaging firm goes carbon neutral

Cosmetics packaging company Curtis has responded to mounting eco-pressure by becoming the first packaging and printing firm in North America to go fully carbon neutral.

Shaving cream formulated for ethnic skin

Skin care firm Barc is targeting the growing ethnic market with a shaving cream specifically designed for African American and Hispanic men.

Skin care inspired by cosmetic surgery

A noticeable trend at this year's Beyond Beauty trade show was the significant number of skin care ranges inspired by ever popular cosmetic surgery treatments.

Interest group claims test proves safety of phthalates

In response to continued speculation from pressure groups over the safety of phthalates in cosmetics, the American Chemistry Council's Phthalate Esters Panel has unveiled study results claiming to show that specific phthalates have no effect on key hormones.

P&G pursues high growth with beauty brands

The head of Procter & Gamble (P&G) told investors yesterday that the company is pursuing a high growth strategy by focusing on fast growing and high margin divisions such as beauty.

NaturalNano teams up on nano cosmetics research

Materials science company NaturalNano has announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with the US Naval Research Laboratory to develop a broad spectrum of controlled-release nanomaterials, a number of which will touch on both cosmetic and fragrance products.

Helen of Troy's sales up but future looks challenging

Niche personal care firm Helen of Troy reported strong second quarter sales figures today but expects macroeconomic factors to put a break on future growth.

Gilchrist & Soames buy-out moves one step closer

Business development company Allied Capital has pledged $51m towards the buyout of hotels personal care and amenities supplier Gilchrist & Soames by private equity group Swander Pace Capital.

Givaudan reports strong fragrance sales growth

Flavour and fragrance giant Givaudan recorded rocketing sales on the back of strong organic growth and the acquisition fragrance player Quest.

Fytokem launches preservative-free herbal extract range

In response to increasing demands for natural-based ingredients that are free of preservatives and other harsh chemical processes, Fytokem has re-launched its Canadian Willowherb range in a preservative-free format.

Vitamin C and linoleic acid help in the fight against skin aging, study suggests

Higher intake of Vitamin C and linoleic acid are associated with better skin-aging appearance, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Cosmetics and charity meet for ethical consumer

Cosmetic companies are responding to the demands of the ethical consumer by supporting charitable causes.

FDA seeks leaders for product innovation, safety group

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is calling for nominees to serve on the board of a new non-profit organization designed to enhance the development and safety of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients.

Rexam unveils new dispenser innovations

Keeping up with the incredible number of new innovations in the personal care packaging segment recently, leading player Rexam Dispensing Systems has unveiled two new technologies.

Union to help companies protect global biodiversity

The Union for Ethical Biotrade was launched at this year's Beyond Beauty trade show, in order to protect the world's biodiversity and the communities that look after them.

Ampacet rolls out new PET finishes

In the race to come up with the most eye-catching packaging, New York-based Ampacet has launched a range of new PET finishes aimed at making personal care products appear more appealing on retail shelves.

Claims for fragrance free university campus in California

Students at California State University are pushing for a fragrance free policy, responding to growing concerns of multiple chemical sensitivity.

Algae could produce iridescent colour effects for cosmetics

The farming of an algae species could represent a cheap and green method to produce iridescent pigment for cosmetics and packaging, according to a new study.

Flavor & fragrance union targets leading market position

A number of flavor and fragrance companies in the US have united under one umbrella to create Agilex Flavors & Fragrances Group, which aims to carve its niche as a leading player in the market.

Kimberly-Clark creates virtual store to test ideas

Kimberly-Clark has invented a virtual reality studio with eye-tracking technology to help the personal care company test out marketing ideas and product concepts.

HBA organisers say attendance is up

Following last month's HBA show in New York, the organizers of the global expo claim that the key buying audience attending the show increased significantly, while attendance of the conference program was also up significantly.

P&G investigates the genetics of skin aging

Two studies investigating the genetics of skin aging are to be presented at the 21st World Congress of Dermatology in Buenos Aries, Argentina, by Procter and Gamble (P&G) Beauty.

Nanotechnology marches onwards

As nanotechnology finds its way into more and more personal care products, global beauty companies are being invited to respond to a new code of conduct on its use.

Amcor Flexibles re-focuses US operations

Leading personal care packaging provider Amcor Flexibles says it is further investing in its manufacturing facilities in the US in an effort to meet the specific requirements of its personal care customers in North America and worldwide.

Beiersdorf plunges into Chinese hair care market

Beiersdorf will pay €269.45m for an 85 per cent stake in China-based C-Bons Hair Care as the cosmetics giant looks to penetrate deeper into the fast growing market.

Consumer lobby group slams cosmetics safety in US

There are 383 cosmetic products on the US market that contain ingredients banned in other countries, according to a new survey by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

P&G files lawsuit against toothbrush competitor

Proctor & Gamble (P&G) has filed a lawsuit against a competitor in the electric toothbrush market, the same week it released its own high tech product.

Plantic and DuPont to develop eco-friendly packaging

Eco-friendly packaging specialist Plantic will soon be entering the US market as part of a development, marketing and branding agreement with chemical firm DuPont.