Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe US edition

Superbrands need a set of recognisable values

Creating an emotional link between the consumer and the product may be the key to becoming a superbrand, according to a marketing expert.

Half of new sun care launches fail to combine UVA and UVB screens

Latest research shows that although an average of two sunscreens have been launched in Europe every day over the past year, less than half combine both UVA and UVB sunscreens.

Unilever struggles in the economic gloom

Falling sales volumes, rising commodity costs and the strong Euro colluded in the second quarter to drag down Unilever’s profits.

IFF results suffer from weak fragrance sales

International Flavors and Fragrances reports an increase in turnover and reiterates predictions for future growth, although fragrance sales continue to disappoint.

Eyelash conditioner launched with cell boosting properties

Skin Research Laboratories has launched a new eyelash conditioner and growth promoter to rival an array of similar products that have hit the market recently.

LVMH reports strong growth despite economic uncertainty

LVMH Moët Hennessey Louis Vuitton has recorded a strong first half of the year suggesting the luxury industry still holds promise despite the struggling economy.

Johnson and Johnson invests in the Chinese market

Johnson and Johnson has bought a Beijing-based cosmetics company in an attempt to increase its presence in the booming Chinese market.

Avon doubles operating profit in Q2

High sales in emerging markets and restructuring efforts bore fruit for Avon in the second quarter as operating profit doubled.

Yes To signs funding deal for natural expansion plans

The manufacturers of natural beauty brand Yes To Carrots have secured a $14m financing deal to support wide ranging growth plans.

Superdrug launches men's make-up range in UK

Mainstream UK retailer Superdrug has started to sell a range of make-up for men, underlining the enduring trend for metrosexual cosmetic products.

Emerging markets and flavours a boon for Symrise

Symrise has reported good sales growth in local currencies the first half of 2008 driven by flavours and emerging markets, although fragrance growth was hit by the drop-off in consumer spending on luxury goods.

Scientists prise open the secret to beautiful skin

Mediterranean mussels and clams from the Black Sea may provide the latest regenerative skin care ingredient, according to scientists in Romania.

Revlon sells off brands in Brazil

Revlon has sold a number of its Brazilian lines in order to concentrate on its core brands around the world.

Clarins sales struggle over the first half

Luxury beauty firm Clarins has lowered its expectations for the year after reporting a fall in net sales for the first half of the year.

Croda profits boosted by cost initiatives and strong sales

Croda profits rocket by over 60 per cent as the company successfully curbs cost inflations and sees healthy growth in its sales for the first half of the year.

Strong sales offset higher costs for Colgate

Strong growth in international markets has helped offset a significant rise in production costs for the world's leading oral care player, Colgate Palmolive.

Natura reports strong second quarter but declining market share

Natura has reported strong domestic sales however its share in one of the world's fastest growing markets has dropped.

Alberto-Culver reports high growth figures

Alberto-Culver has reported high sales growth for the third quarter although discontinued operations weighed heavily on its net income.

Dow's results suffer from rising costs

Significant price increases have only partly offset rising costs for Dow Chemical as net income dropped from last year's second quarter.

Bramlage-Wiko releases roll on applicator for anti-aging cream

Packaging supplier Bramlage-Wiko has developed a new massaging roll-on applicator for L'Oreal Garnier's anti-aging skin care range.

Doubts cast over Clarins buy back scheme

Investment advisory group Deminor has written to the French financial authorities to complain about the validity of Clarins proposed share buy back scheme.

Boots protests against Superdrug's advertising claims

Two of the UK's biggest health and beauty retailers have fallen out over advertising claims referring to price differences between the companies.

RPC announces packaging price increases

A leading European cosmetics packaging provider has announced price increases of up to 15 per cent as a result of continued pricing pressures.

Burberry fragrance drives Inter Parfums results

Burberry fragrance sales have once again boosted results for Inter Parfums and the US-based fragrance player has reported a twenty percent increase in second quarter sales.

Study hails laser treatment as effective anti-wrinkle tool

Scientists have hailed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing as a highly effective treatment for facial wrinkles but warn of complications in the short term.

Tupperware continues to outpace market

Tupperware Brands has posted an 18 percent increase in sales for the fourth quarter on the back of high emerging market growth.

Cognis sells stake in Cognis Oleochemicals to PTT Chemical International

Cognis has sold its stake in a producer of natural oil and fat derived chemicals to focus on the wellness and sustainability trends.

BASF announces second packaging price hike

It is not only the price of raw ingredients that are going up, packaging materials are becoming more costly, evinced by the latest hike from BASF.

Hermes sales results led by perfume

Perfume sales drove double-digit sales growth for Hermes as the luxury goods company shrugged off concerns about an economic downturn.

Kline analyst praises Estee Lauder's Indian venture

Taking a minority stake in Forest Essentials will provide Estee Lauder with improved access to a small but fast-growing market brimming with opportunity, says a Kline analyst.

Aveda reformulates make-up line with natural pigments

Leading natural cosmetics provider Aveda has updated and expanded its Uruku make-up collection, opting for natural annatto pigment instead of synthetics.

NPD spreads its prestige coverage to Spain

NPD has teamed up with IRI to extend their coverage of the global cosmetics industry and provide a comprehensive overview of the Spanish market.

Alban Muller launches green consultancy

Alban Muller has launched a consultancy service to help others design and produce natural and eco-friendly products.

Special Interview

Estee Lauder executive tackles sustainable packaging

Manufacturers realize they need to become sustainable to remain competitive. Eco-friendly packaging is a vital component of this but presents companies with a myriad of choices and challenges.

Coty CEO sets company on acquisition trail

Fragrance-maker Coty says it is looking to acquire new brands in an effort to expand its cosmetics business and increase sales.

Romanian cosmetics producer sees profits rocket

Farmec Cluj, one of Romania's biggest cosmetic producers has reported a 36 per cent profit increase in the first half of the year on new skin and body care products.

Estee Lauder buys stake in Indian brand Forest Essentials

Estee Lauder is targeting the fast-growing Indian market with the purchase of a minority stake in natural beauty brand Forest Essentials.

Financial outlook looks grim for cosmetic companies

Sliding share prices on the stock exchange and financial downgrades point to tougher times for the personal care industry as high commodity prices hit hard, experts say.

Weak US dollar means slower sales for L'Oreal

A weak dollar has harmed L'Oreal's second quarter sales and the France-based cosmetics giant is lowering its predictions accordingly.

International cosmetics firms queue up to enter Russian market

Russia's booming economy is feeding demand for beauty products making the country a highly attractive destination for international cosmetics companies.

Fully recycled bottles adopted by UK baby care company

Organic baby care manufacturer Beaming Baby claims to be the first UK-based toiletries company to use one hundred per cent recycled bottles.

Trade union body calls for improved nano safety

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling for a precautionary principle to be applied to nanotechnologies in order to ensure worker safety.

L'Oreal accused of using banned chemicals

A former L'Oreal executive has accused the company of using ingredients in markets where they are banned and of selling products that contain unlawfully high levels of preservatives.

Sales growth helps Revlon into profit

Revlon has moved further down the road to recovery reporting strong preliminary financial results for the second quarter.

Safic-Alcan changes division name and redesigns website

Safic-Alcan has renamed its fine chemicals division Life Science to better reflect its focus on pharmaceuticals, personal care and nutrition.

Sederma releases skin tightening ingredient

Sederma's new ingredient promises an immediate skin tightening effect to appeal to the modern consumer in search of instant gratification.

Alban Muller launches 29 fruit focused actives

France-based Alban Muller has launched 29 new active ingredients for the global naturals market with "super fruits" at the heart of the offerings.

J&J's consumer products may be hit by price increases

Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has reported strong second quarter results although price increases within its consumer goods division will be implemented throughout the year.

Alcan buys Russian beauty packaging factory

Alcan Packaging has bought a cosmetic tubes factory in Russia to meet the demands of the growing industry in the region.

Swallowfield seals Chinese joint venture deal

Contract manufacturer Swallowfield has sealed a joint venture with a Chinese toiletries supplier that is designed to expand its global presence.

Gerresheimer reports 13% sales growth in Q2

German packaging giant Gerresheimer says that higher sales in both its plastics and tubular glass divisions helped boost its performance in the second quarter of 2008.

European industry depressed by rising oil prices

A significant drop in industrial production in the Euro zone, in particular in non durable consumer goods such as cosmetics, adds to fears of a weakening economy.

CSM signs agreement for gluconates plant sale

CSM has announced plans to sell its Purac gluconates production plant in The Netherlands to Avebe, as part of a broader restructuring of manufacturing and focus on core competencies.

P&G fights back against UK animal protection charity

Personal care giant Procter and Gamble has defended itself after being targeted by a UK-based animal rights charity.

Kimberley-Clark reports profits below expectations

Kimberley-Clark blamed its disappointing second quarter profits on higher than expected cost inflation and cut its guidance for the year accordingly.

L'Occitane aims east with Hong Kong flotation

Cosmetics retailer L'Occitane is planning a flotation on the Hong Kong stock exchange to raise $300m and fuel its expansion in Asia, according to newspaper reports.

Former Marionnaud CEO imprisoned for falsification

The deposed CEO of French fragrance and cosmetics retailer Marionnaud has been imprisoned for 18 months after being found guilty of falsifying company accounts.

Kline predicts uneven fallout from economic downturn

Rising costs and low consumer confidence are poised to dampen the quarterly results of leading beauty companies but the damage is likely to be spread unevenly.

P&G increases consumer prices on rising costs

Procter & Gamble has become the first major personal care producer to announce significant across the board price increases in the face of mounting costs.

Dutch release Nano Action Plan

The Dutch government has launched its Nano Action Plan concentrating on ethics, risk research, and innovation and development.

Dow buys Rohm and Haas for $18.8bn

Dow Chemical has acquired Rohm and Haas in an $18.8bn deal designed to deliver higher margins and stable earnings.

Helen of Troy's personal care sales fall again

Sales of personal care products fell for Helen of Troy during its first quarter, which combined with a series of write-downs led to a profit slump.

Leading firms fined for exchanging information

Leading cosmetics firms have been threatened with fines by the German Federal Cartel Office for exchanging information that violates anti-trust laws.

Brazil cosmetics market remains a hot spot for investors

Low costs, a large consumer base and a thriving economy look set to ensure that the Brazil cosmetics market will continue its strong growth, analysts believe.

Rousselot acquires hydrolyzed collagen range

Rousselot has acquired a range of hydrolyzed collagens from BHJ Peptan Products to widen its offerings in this area and pursue rapid expansion.

Stem cell cream gets into marketing trouble

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against Basic Research for failing to substantiate anti-ageing claims attributed to its "stem cell" cream.

Unit-dose packaging thrives on convenience trend

Cosmetics that come packaged in daily dose units are becoming increasingly popular, a trend that a Mintel analyst attributes to the desire for convenience.

Eveline signs North American distribution deal

Poland cosmetics player Eveline Cosmetics has signed a distribution deal to with ProConcepts Marketing to expand into the US, Canadian and Mexican markets.

Pectin nanoparticles show encapsulation potential

Sugar beet pectin shells could be used to encapsulate functional ingredients for use in cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical products, suggests new research.

Human cannabis could improve skin care

New research into the skincare role of cannabis-like substances suggests the belief that marijuana cleans the body and mind may be more than just a pipe dream.

Consumers misled over animal testing says UK charity

Consumers would boycott beauty products if they were aware that their ingredients had been tested on animals, according to a UK-based animal welfare group Uncaged.

Cognis takes bite out of edible beauty market

Cognis is targeting the growing market for beauty foods with a range of lutein esters extracted from marigold flowers.

Henkel's German workforce hit by job cuts

Henkel will be significantly cutting its German workforce within the next two and half years as part of global programme to increase profitability.

Estee Lauder expands Malone brand into Asia

Estée Lauder will be extending the reach of its Jo Malone luxury skin care and fragrance brand in Asia in partnership with the Lane Crawford Joyce Group.

Symrise increases prices on cost pressures

Until now it has been raw material and chemical providers that have been increasing their prices, but Germany-based active ingredients player Symrise now joins the growing list.

Clarins to refocus portfolio after delisting

Clarins says that after its proposed delisting is complete it intends to go ahead with plans to refocus its portfolio, despite a negative stock market reaction.

Appointment news: BASF and Art & Fragrance

BASF has appointed a new head of its Aroma Chemicals business and Art & Fragrance has created an executive board position for its cosmetics operations.

Zirh renews fragrance licensing agreement with FCUK

US men's skin care and fragrance player Zirh has renewed its fragrance licensing agreement with FCUK and readies new product launches.

Afghan rose oil in cosmetics could help rural development

Natural rose oil production can provide Afghan farmers with an alternative to the opium poppy to generate much needed income in ravaged rural areas.

New product launches boost Valois' results

Industrial spray and aerosol manufacturer Valois says that strong sales in both its pharmaceutical and beauty and home divisions helped it off-set a hike in raw materials costs and have a successful 2007.

L'Oreal targets suppliers with dedicated website zone

L'Oreal has dedicated a section on its website to existing and prospective suppliers, detailing the company values and policies.

EWG attacks top sunscreen brands

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has attacked leading sunscreen brands for offering inadequate protection against UV rays or containing potentially hazardous ingredients.

Astaxanthin wins Novel Foods approval

Israeli firm Algatechnologies has won European Union Novel Foods approval for its patented version of the antioxidant astaxanthin, and plans to take the ingredient into new European markets.

UVB is the main culprit for skin damage

UVB rays are more harmful than UVA as they cause DNA damage that the body finds harder to repair, according to scientists in the US.

YSL Beaute signs definitive agreement with L'Oreal

YSL has sealed the deal with L'Oreal to become a part of its luxury products division in a move that extends the cosmetics giant's presence in the premium segment.

Greener microcapsules for fragrant fabrics

A new type of microcapsule may allow manufacturers to embed fragrances in textiles without resorting to formaldehyde, according to scientists in Portugal.

Cognis natural ingredients gain certification

Care Chemicals, the personal care division of ingredients giant Cognis, has been awarded the Association of German Industries and Trading firms (BDIH) natural certification.

Probiotic supplements may help sensitive skin

L'Oréal is working on a probiotic supplement for sensitive skin which will be released as part of its Innéov range before the end of 2009.

IBR expands its distribution network

Natural active ingredients supplier IBR has abandoned its distribution agreement with Symrise for an independent distribution and marketing strategy.

LVMH wins French case against Ebay over fakes

LVMH has won a landmark case against the internet auction house Ebay for failing to prevent the sale of fake goods and for selling genuine perfumes without authorization.