LBB Specialties see growth opportunity in skin care ingredients and talc alternatives

09-Jun-2021 - Last updated on 09-Jun-2021 at 15:45 GMT

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Related tags Talc ingredient distributor

In an effort to build a stronger portfolio in these areas, the specialty chemicals distributor recently signed an agreement with cosmetic ingredient company Caltron Clays.

LBB Specialties is putting together a portfolio of businesses that will position it as a leading beauty ingredient distributor here in North America. And within that portfolio, LBB is heavily focused on supplying specialty chemicals and other inputs needed for toiletries, soaps, lotions, face masks, sun care, and oral care as well as skin care manufacturing in particular, according to the recent media release about the Caltron Clays agreement.

LBB Specialties targets skin care, talc alternatives, and natural beauty ingredients

Caltron Clay’s bentonite clay, diatomaceous earth, and kaolin are of particular importance to LBB as talc has fallen out of favor as a beauty ingredient in and beyond North America following significant class action law suits against J&J and Imerys Talc America (and the Canadian government’s recent report describing talc as harmful in some cosmetic and personal care applications).

And of similar importance as the beauty industry continues its shift to clean, green, and natural beauty are certifications from ISO, the FSSC, ECOCERT, COSMOS, and other credentialing organizations.

“Demand for authentic, high-quality ingredients is growing at an unprecedented rate, and Personal Care products are an important part of our business portfolio,” explains Darren J Birkelbach, CEO of LBB Specialties, in the company media release.

Making strategic deals to grow the LBB Specialties ingredient distribution business

“Caltron,” he says, “has an excellent track record of providing quality ingredients essential to the industry, and we know they will deliver on quality and reliability for LBBS customers.” And Birkelbach goes on to rationalize the Caltron agreement further saying, “Caltron provides a workhorse multi-category product that is high-quality, reliable, and continues to move LBB Specialties toward more sustainable sources.”

The company, as Cosmetics Design readers may recall, acquired a majority stake in the beauty ingredient distribution company Custom Chemical Services or CCS at the close of 2020.

That deal broadened the LBB specialties business not just in personal care but in food and beverage, agriculture, pharma, and more. Similarly, this latest deal also goes beyond beauty: “Caltron also will provide ingredients such as algae-derived calcium carbonates (Algacal) as well as oyster shell-derived calcium carbonates (Marincal) for the Food & Nutrition category of LBB Specialties' business,” according to the release.

And, of course, the deal is of value to Mumbai, India – based Caltron too. “Since its founding in 2000, Caltron has been committed to providing the highest quality products to our customers,” SN JAIN, Chairman and Managing Director of Caltron Group, tells the press. “LBB Specialties has a robust network, professionally managed workforce, and rich experience in the field of food, nutritional, and personal care ingredients. This association will help us establish a strong foothold in the USA as part of our strategic growth vision.”