Breaking News on Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe US edition

Authorities in Peru block ‘human fat for cosmetics’ ring

Police in Peru say they have arrested a number of people on suspicion of murdering people in order to sell on their fat, allegedly to European cosmetic makers.

News in brief

Crown provides aerosol for Sara Lee men’s grooming range

Crown Aerosols Europe (CAE) has partnered with Sara Lee to provide the packaging for their men’s grooming product, William’s Confort Pro Mousse Crème.

English perfume house Grossmith revived with luxury launch

The launch of three luxury scents marks the revival of what was once one of England’s largest perfume houses.

French R&D initiative fosters eco packaging design

A French research and development project to help foster the design of environmentally-friendly plastic packaging has been initiated by Alcan Packaging Beauty.

Etiney targets beauty from within with açai berry extract

Netherlands-based Etiney Cosmeitcs is targeting the growing beauty from within trend with its newly launched range of organic açai berry ingredients.

Sampling Innovations expand into Spanish market

UK-based Sampling-Innovations, a supplier of samples packaging to the beauty industry, has expanded its operations into the Spanish market by opening a sister company in Barcelona.

News in brief

Maesa creates festive gift box packaging for Sephora

French packaging supplier Maesa has designed a Christmas gift pack set and shop decoration range for Sephora.

Symrise buys into North Africa and Middle East

Symrise has acquired fragrance and flavours maker Futura Labs to tap into opportunities in the fast growing regions of North Africa and the Middle East.

Syneron enters skin lightening market

Israel-based Syneron, a manufacturer of medical aesthetic devices, has entered the skin whitening market with the launch of its topical skin whitening products in Asia.

Rumours fly over sale of Reckitt Benckiser

Talk of a multi-billion euro transaction involving Reckitt Benckiser, a global brand owner of personal care and household products, has sent share prices rocketing.

Dispute continues over Polo fragrance

A long running dispute involving the Ralph Lauren Polo brand moves into the fragrance arena as the US Polo Association prepares to launch a perfume collection.

Acquisitions in the packaging industry

International players within the packaging industry, Pago and Superfos, concentrate on the European market by divesting and acquiring businesses.

New data on parabens suggests no adverse hormonal effect on the body

The industry awaits the judgement on parabens following the release of further data on skin absorption and the distribution of the chemicals in the body.

Exposure to nano titanium dioxide could up cancer risk, says study

There may be a potential risk of cancer and genetic disorders for individuals working with high concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, according to US scientists.

FDA expands delivery of consumer health information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hopes to extend the reach of its consumer health information through a collaboration with health information website, Everyday Health.

News in brief

Rexam announces new chief executive

Global packaging company, Rexam, has announced that Graham Chipchase is to succeed Leslie Van De Walle as CEO from 1 January 2010.

Intertek offers wider testing services to respond to regulatory change

Testing services provider Intertek has expanded and consolidated its offering in the UK to help cosmetics companies cope with recent and upcoming regulatory changes.

Draft standard for Halal Cosmetics to be released next year

International regulation of the Halal industry, with the implementation of a global standard that includes cosmetics and toiletries, could soon become a reality as the final batch of draft standards are expected to be available for public comment by June 2010.

France's Cosmetics Valley welcomes 12 new members

Cosmetics Valley, the France-based industry association for the cosmetics and fragrance industry has welcomed 12 new members to its competitiveness cluster.

Cosmoprof Asia continues to grow

Cosmoprof Asia 2009, the beauty industry tradeshow for the Asia-Pacific region, witnessed an increase in the number of exhibitors and visitors in comparison to last year’s figures.

News in brief

Study to look at luxury consumers and the internet

Unity Marketing has announced a new market research initiative investigating how consumers of luxury products use the internet.

Surfactant coatings alter nanoparticles’ behaviour in water treatment plants

Coating nanoparticles with a surfactant of the sort often found in personal care products may aid their removal from wastewater treatment systems, according to scientists in the UK.

Beverages tipped to be the future of the beauty food segment

Beauty beverages, including juices and flavored waters, are tipped for significant growth in the US and Europe as the beauty from within trend gathers pace.

Consumers plan to make more fragrance buys this holiday season

It has been a bad year for the US fragrance industry but new data from the NPD Group shows that more consumers are planning to buy fragrance in the ramp up to Christmas.

Unilever outsources end-user services to Unisys

Unilever says it will secure over €1bn of savings in its IT division from the outsourcing of end-user services to IT services provider Unisys.

Symrise appoints new CFO

Flavour and fragrance firm Symrise has recruited its new CFO from medical technology company Carl Zeiss Meditec.

Alban Muller launches plant extract combinations for oil based products

The properties of multiple plant extracts are combined in the seven actives that make up Alban Muller’s new oil based range.

HCP packaging to expand production facilities

Global cosmetics packaging supplier, HCP Packaging, is expanding its North American production capacity by opening a new factory in Mexico.

European court to advise on anti-internet stance of dermo-cosmetic company

A French dermo-cosmetic company has been given permission to continue to prohibit its authorised retailers to sell products over the internet in an ongoing competition case.

BASF lycopene ingredient fits well with ‘beauty from within’ trend

BASF’s latest lycopene ingredient for beverages perfectly positions the company to take advantage of the growing beauty from within category.

BASF lycopene ingredient fits well with ‘beauty from within’ trend

BASF’s latest lycopene ingredient for beverages perfectly positions the company to take advantage of the growing beauty from within category.

Plastic additive firms face €173m price fixing fine

Dozens of companies that produce plastic additives for food, beverage and cosmetic packaging have been fined more than €173m for their part in price fixing and market sharing cartels over a 13-year period.

Boots beauty sales driven by latest Protect & Perfect launch

Boots Alliance has posted solid six month sales, driven by all its business divisions and in spite of the prevailing tough economic conditions.

USDA crackdown on misuse of ‘organic’ not imminent, say standards holders

US organic standards holders are not expecting an imminent USDA crackdown on the misuse of the term ‘organic’ in the cosmetics and personal care sector.

Prospects of a global organics standard ‘appear low’

With the proliferation of yet more natural and organic cosmetic standards, analysts say the prospects for a global unified standard are not getting any closer.

Weekly comment

Public dialogue on nano should take a back seat until there is more data

Earlier this week the European Commission published a report detailing progress on its Action Plan on nanotechnology – the use of the tiny particles that are tipped to have huge effects on consumer products and society at large.

Vitiva enters soap market with natural preserving system

Vitiva has announced that Inolens 4, its all-natural rosemary extract that helps manage oxidation and extend product shelf life, is now available for use in natural soaps and bath products.

BASF launches new anti-ageing active

BASF Beauty Care Solutions has launched Hyalufix GL, an active anti-ageing ingredient designed to improve the complexion.

News in brief

Beauty business KMI Brands adds Naked skin care to the fold

The UK-based company holds a number of brands that operate in the beauty segment including King of Shaves and Ted Baker fragrances.

Inter Parfums plans Burberry cosmetics launch to drive 2010 sales

New York-based Inter Parfums said the sales decline in its European-based divisions masked a very successful quarter for Burberry, one of its leading brands.

USDA asked to crack down on use of 'organic' for non-certified cosmetics

The USDA has been called upon to get tough on the misuse of the term ‘organic’ in personal care and cosmetics products.

Unilever’s personal care division records solid Q3 performance

Unilever continues to weather the economic downturn well, but the company hints that further discounting could be on the horizon.

Innovation of the year award for lip-gloss timestrip technology

The integration of timestrip technology into Cargo Cosmetics’ Blu-ray lip gloss range won ‘Innovation of the year’ at the 2009 UK Packaging Awards.

Skin lightening can be dangerous, according to Mayor of Paris

The Major of Paris has launched a campaign to alert consumers about the dangers of skin whitening, in particular the use of illegal and unregulated products.

Rexam launches glass-effect plastic sampler packaging

Rexam says that its new Crystal Transparency offers beauty companies a less expensive way of achieving the high quality glass-like finish for sample packaging.

Consumers and regulation demand scientifically backed beauty foods

A combination of consumer pressure and a regulation overhaul is set to drive a more scientifically substantiated beauty foods, drinks and supplements sector.

P&G acknowledges its top performing global suppliers

Procter & Gamble has honoured some of the world’s leading personal care suppliers at its annual suppliers awards event.

Symrise results show recovery in third quarter as destocking slows

Symrise third quarter sales show a marked ‘upswing’ as destocking came to an end with both flavour and fragrance segments showing positive growth.

Parlux sales turn the corner, though profits fall

New fragrance launches help to drive sales growth at Parlux, but higher costs mean profits slide for the second quarter results.

Safety evaluation of baby cosmetics should be improved, says French agency

The testing protocols for the safety evaluation of products aimed at babies and young children should be improved, according to French authorities.

Beiersdorf profits tumble but results beat expectations

Beiersdorf is still reeling from the downturn in its non-personal care operations, but the improvement in the group’s business operations overall is quicker than expected.

News in brief

New science and regulatory affairs manager for IFRA

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) has appointed Aurore Boudet to the position of scientific and regulatory affairs manager.

Lipotec targets muscle contractions to help fight against laughter lines

Spanish ingredients supplier Lipotec tackles expression wrinkles with its latest ingredient that attempts to stop the muscles from contracting.

Development of BeautyEurasia trade show will help open up emerging markets

Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna has partnered with BeautyEurasia organisers, Ipekyolu Exhibitions, to develop the annual trade show for the beauty and cosmetics sector held in Istanbul.

Plant closure expenses drag profits down at IFF

Sales were showing signs of recovery for International Flavors and Fragrances in the third quarter, but profits were dragged down by charges.

Johnson & Johnson to cut up to 8,000 jobs worldwide

Consumer giant, Johnson & Johnson, has announced global job cuts as part of its restructuring initiatives.

AkzoNobel forms pan-European personal care ingredients distributor

AkzoNobel has formed Europe’s newest personal care ingredients distribution network, following last year’s acquisition of National Starch Personal Care.

Clariant unveils silicone-free and deco-cosmetics concepts

Switzerland-based specialty chemicals expert, Clariant, has launched two new concept groups for its personal care customers; silicone-free and decorative cosmetic products.

News in brief

Perrigo Company sells Israeli cosmetics business for €36m

Global healthcare supplier, Perrigo Company, has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Israel Consumer Products business for ILS205m (€36.7m).

Microcapsules developed to deliver chemicals ‘on demand'

Scientists in the US have developed phototriggerable microcapsules, which could have implications for active ingredients in personal care.

Nanoencapsulation: difference between ‘making money and breaking even’

Nanoencapsulation can make significant savings for formulators as it can reduce the amount of active ingredients needed, according to Ken Chomistek, a research engineer with Microfluidics.

Lifting the lid on what defines the beauty foods category

Beauty foods, beauty from within, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals - with so many terms and so many different types of products within this fast-growing category, defining and positioning those products has never been more important.

Revlon profits slide on slow sales and strong dollar

Revlon revealed falling sales during its third quarter, underlining tough retail conditions and the strength of the dollar against international currencies.

Gains from restructuring boost Estee Lauder profits

Estee Lauder results shows a big jump in profits, with strong results in Asia and reduced costs helping to prompt the company to raise its outlook.