Cargill launches ‘revolutionary’ new cosmetics ingredient

11-Oct-2016 - Last updated on 12-Oct-2016 at 09:08 GMT

Related tags Cosmetics

Cargill has launched a new vegetable oil it says will ‘revolutionise’ the industry, in a move which follows the global ingredients giant’s recent announcement that it will be targeting the personal care market more concertedly from now on.

The oil, called Lyveum, is part of the manufacturer’s new ingredient category, which it is calling Ultra Oils. Ultra Oils are “developed in Brazil by Cargill Industrial Specialties by combining the natural properties of vegetable oils with the company’s exclusive technology and knowledge in lipids”, the company says.

What is Lyveum?

Lyveum is designed to offer formulators an alternative to the use of mineral, synthetic and animal products in cosmetics formulations, Cargill states, and has applications for sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizing creams, ointments, makeup and lipsticks

According to the company, the ingredient increases product stability from six months to up to three years, and avoids the need to use metals or antioxidants.

Lyveum is the first brand to come out of Cargill’s move into Ultra Oils, an ingredient category that the company describes as having “an unprecedented level of purity for oils and oil products”.

Naturals: key driver

Cargill’s new Ultra Oils category was launched at the recent in-cosmetics Brazil event, and appears to be evidence that the company is acting quickly to prove it can adapt its expertise in food ingredients to the needs of the personal care industry.

The company’s new global manager for its personal care business, Tony Jaillot, spoke to CosmeticsDesign earlier this year about this strategy, noting that the enthusiasm for naturals in personal care is driving Cargill’s move to cater for the market.

“Cargill is the number one food and drink supplier, and has great knowledge when it comes to texture in food - if you apply these expertise into personal care, not only you help the translation of synthetic to natural, you increase the capacity for innovation,” he said.

Ultra Oils

The company’s new Ultra Oils category is produced from renewable sources, according to the company, and are intended for use on a global scale across various product categories.

The company invested US$300,000 in product development, with production due to start this month and initial output set to be 150 metric tons per month.

Paulo Hoffmann, general manager of Cargill Industrial Specialties in Brazil, explained that he believes the launch will enhance the company's standing within personal care.

“The new technology makes Cargill a player in this segment and reinforces the company’s pioneering spirit and environmental concern. We resort to innovative approaches to save resources, employ renewable raw materials, and reduce impact, to help preserve and protect the environment,” he said.