Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe US edition

Groundbreaking soap makes the jump from Asia

Japanese film and packaging manufacturer Aicello is about to launch a new form of soap on the US market that has proved to be a big hit in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.

Parlux delays end-of-year financial report

Following shareholder complaints over a proposed company share buy-out, Parlux has said that it will delay filing its end-of-year financial report because it needs more time to access its internal control policies.

M&H makes another packaging acquisition

Just months after expanding its packaging capabilities with a major acquisition, M&H has bought up the PET jar & Kilner ranges from Audus Noble Dines Plastics in the UK.

Germany begins risk survey on nanotechnology

Germany's cosmetics and toiletries risk assessment agency has commissioned a study on the potential health effects of nanotechnologies used in products.

Avon Cosmetics Romania boosts sales and profits

Significant increases in perfume sales combined with increased general penetration into rural areas has helped to take the Avon Cosmetics Romania's turnover above the €100m mark, in turn boosting profits by 50 per cent.

Study shows milk protein can help clear teenage skin

Research carried out by Holland-based Campina Industrial Products, shows that a milk protein it has launched can lead to a 50 per cent reduction in acne within the space of two weeks.

Johnson & Johnson buys up Listerine brand

New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson has bought the Pfizer healthcare division for $16.6bn in a deal that wins the company the much sort after Listerine oral care brand.

Beauty industry blamed for making women feel bad about themselves

According to a new survey from YouGov, women are pointing the finger at marketing and advertising campaigns conducted by the beauty industry featuring unrealistic female images for giving them a low opinion of themselves.

Naturewatch hammers on Body Shop's door over animal testing

Following its buy-out by L'Oreal, the Body Shop has come under some heavy criticism in recent months. Now the company that built its name on the back of a strict no animal testing policy is being slammed by animal rights group Naturewatch because L'Oreal still carries out testing on animals.

Commission calls on states for stricter greenhouse gas controls

Cosmetic manufacturers need to help reverse the increase in the EU's production of greenhouse gases says the European Commission, which yesterday released figures showing rising rather than falling CO2 emissions from the EU's original 15 member states.

Cancer lobby group targets nail varnish maker

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is back on the lobbying trail. This time the group is targeting a company that sells a nail varnish on the US market formulated with ingredients it deems unsafe and a different formula with ingredients approved for the European market.

Alberto-Culver completes UK salon care acquisition

The US hair care provider is making efforts to branch out its business portfolio with the acquisition of the UK salon hair care provider Salon Success.

Dual skin care products and flashing toothpaste - what next?

As cosmetic and toiletry manufacturers strive to grow their share of the market, it seems that the creation of increasingly innovative products and even new market niches seems to be the way forward.

ASPA moves to represent French cosmetic ingredient producers

The Paris-based ASPA (Association of Chemical Producers and associated industries) has made moves to form a representative group for the French cosmetic and toiletries industry, similar to existing national bodies in Germany and the UK.

EU and US step up fight against counterfeiters, importers

EU and US officials will take joint action worldwide against counterfeiting and intellectual property theft, an illegal trade that includes millions of fake cosmetics and fragrances.

EU timetables end of animal testing

The European Commission has drawn up guidelines outlining the proposed reduction in the testing of animals in personal care products as well as stringent new labelling regulations to prove compliance.

Study shows nanoparticles in sun cream may affect mice brain cells

Latest research from US scientists shows that nanoparticles used in certain sun cream formulations can affect mice brain cells by upsetting the chemical balance and potentially causing neurological damage.

French naturals market shows industry-leading growth

The French market for naturals is showing the highest growth rates in Europe, attracting international companies eager to carve out a slice of what is already Europe's leading cosmetic and toiletry market by value.

Advitech finalises France deal, secures financing

Advitech has secured two-part interim financing totalling C$350,000 to assist in ongoing commercialisation of its psoriasis product from sweet whey, Dermylex. The boon for the Canadian company coincides with the finalisation of its first marketing and distribution deals, with France's Cothera.

Seatons taps into pomegranate to fight signs of ageing

UK vegetable and fruit oil supplier Seatons has launched a new pomegranate extract which is claimed to fight signs of ageing and provide general mositurising properties.

Crest launches new multi-purpose toothpaste

P&G-owned Crest says that its latest toothpaste, Crest Pro-Health, is the culmination of ten years of development work and should prove to be one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching oral care products on the market.

Parlux gives go ahead to privatize the company

Parlux Fragrances CEO Ilia Lekach has made an unsolicited offer to buy back the company shares at $29 in a bid to take the company private and fend of the threat of short-term investors.

Swiss speciality chemical player moves in on Asian cosmetic market

Ciba Speciality Chemicals has formed a joint venture with India-based Virchow Drugs in an effort to expand its share of the growing cosmetics market in Asia and further improve its position in the region.

Swiss skin care specialist expands into US market

Feelgoods International says it is focusing future expansion on the US market, having developed its name as a provider of facial cosmetic products in both the Swiss and German markets in Europe.

Shiseido readies two new global cosmetic brands

Shiseido is about to launch two new mega brand cosmetic lines on the Japanese market that should be rolled, one of which should be rolled out on the global market by 2007.

BASF completes acquisition of Engelhard

Germany-based global chemicals giant BASF has finally completed the acquisition of US specialty chemicals and personal care ingredients player Engelhard following months spent battling against hostile bidding.

Study shows that skin tone is a key age indicator

European scientists have revealed research findings that suggest skin tone and luminosity are key indicators to the perception of age, hinting that cosmetic companies would do well to focus on treatments that target this area.

Unilever consolidates human resource operations

As part of moves to cut costs and increase its competitiveness global personal care player Unilever has announced an agreement which will see its human resource operations outsourced.

Cosmetics industries harmonise global sunscreen testing

Cosmetics industry bodies in Europe, the USA, Japan and South Africa have signed an agreement to unify sunscreen product testing - a move that takes the industry one step closer to having internationally recognized sunscreen labelling codes.

New technology developed to fight counterfeiting

As all the big cosmetic and toiletry brands continue their battle to stamp out the damaging effects of counterfeit products, a Swiss company bas developed a new camera phone technology that can help distinguish fakes from the real thing.

Jane pumped with funds to expand presence in mass market

US cosmetics brand Jane has teamed up with two private equity groups to boost its presence in the market with what it hopes will be the "next great mass market cosmetic brand."

Jujube fruit features in revitalizing skin care products

A US firm has launched a new range of products containing the popular Chinese fruit jujube, which is believed to slow down the aging process.

Gucci and P&G Beauty join forces for fragrance alliance

France-based PPR's have announced the start of a long-term licensing agreement with P&G Beauty to produce, sell and distribute Fine Fragrance products under the Gucci brand.

Boots-Alliance Unichem EGM dates set as merger reaches final stages

The proposed £7bn (€10.2bn) merger of Boots with Alliance UniChem merger took another step towards completion with announcements for the dates for both companies Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) to vote on the resolutions to create one of the biggest health care and personal care retailers in Europe.

Revlon downgrades forecast on weak sales

Revlon has downgraded its sales and profits forecasts after a disappointing performance from two cosmetics lines.

CoQ10 focus

Expansions and new suppliers ease CoQ10 bottleneck

The gap between demand and global supply of potent antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is narrowing, as major manufacturers expand their capacity and new sources enter the marketplace.

World Cup highlights male personal care importance

When it comes to preparing for the World Cup finals in Germany, that kicks-off this week, England's football team is taking preparations very seriously, and that includes looking good for the big occasion.

Cactus Botanics launches low molecular weight HA

UK-based Cactus Botanics has launched it low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA), an ingredient finding more an more applications in both the cosmetics and food industries.

EC approves L'Oreal's Body Shop takeover

The European Commission has given its blessing to L'Oreal's takeover of UK-based The Body Shop, as the French cosmetics giant announces that the offer is now unconditional as to acceptances.

China steadily increasing presence in C&T raw materials

Multinational suppliers for the cosmetics and toiletries industries are facing increasing competition from China, while Japan continues to offer innovation, says a new report from Kline and Company.

Service offers laser etching advice to food packagers

A masterbatch provider is offering a service to help packaging companies create clear, consistent laser marks on film, blow molded, and injection molded packaging.

Tahitian Noni develops natural-based hair care range

Noni has been long known as a health and juice ingredient but increasingly it is being included in cosmetic and toiletry products, as evinced by the latest hair care line from Tahitian Noni International.

US market to see more natural baobab for use in cosmetics, food

A Canadian and an African company are set to tap the emerging market for baobab ingredients for use in cosmetic and functional food applications. The two firms recently teamed up to market the ingredient in North America.

Banana Boat targets kids with tear-free sunscreens

A new line of tear-free sunscreen products for children have been launched in the US by Playtex subsidiary Banana Boat Suncare.

RPC pioneers biodegradeable colour cosmetic packaging

RPC Cresstale, part of the RPC Group, claims to be the first company to produce a lipstick that is 100 per cent biodegradeable thanks to a breakthrough of a polymer for its packaging made from natural ingredients.

Colipa opens the doors to its AGM

Estoril, Portugal is the venue for this year's Colipa AGM - one of the European industry's primary forum. The CosmeticsDesign team will be covering the event, which this year centres on the all-important theme of consumer confidence.

GE launches film that cracks the bar code problem

How many times have you stood at a check-out and been held up because the scanner cannot read the bar code? GE Plastics believes that a new film could provide the answer to this problem.