Croda forges nanotechnology deal with Oxonica
nanotechnology capabilities with an agreement to distribute its
Optisol UV absorber to the international personal care market.
Croda, says it will provide its sales, distribution and technical capabilities as a means of increasing the distribution of the ingredient amongst leading international sun care and skin care manufacturers.
Initially Croda will be concentrating on the US, European and Australian markets, which are currently the biggest for sun and skin care products.
Optisol was first launched in September 2004 and has been incorporated into Boots own-brand Soltan Facial sun care range.
Oxonica had been looking for an international distribution deal since the product was launched and now hopes that Croda will help the UV screen will live up to promising industry evaluations such as the award for Best New Technology received at the HBA awards in September.
Optisol UV Absorber, which relies on nano-sized titanium dioxide particles to up UV protection, was in the development stages for five years before its commercial launch following a supply agreement with metals manufacture Umicore.
"Although titanium oxide has been used for years in sun screen products, the nano technology we have employed to develop this ingredient helps to keep free radicals at bay and to maintain the effectiveness of the protection," Gareth Wakefield, vice president of research for Oxonica.
"Ultimately this will help to cut down on the incidence of skin ageing and cell damage, as well as helping in the fight to prevent skin cancer," he added.
The development of the UV absorber, is aimed at international cosmetics companies looking to enhance the balance of both UVA and UVB screens. This is being driven by consumers, who are becoming increasingly aware of the need of multi-functional sun screen products that help to provide maximum protection for a variety of conditions and skin types.
David Browning, business director at Oxonica said: "The technology was developed in association with the University of Oxford. Optisol improves protection against exposure to sunlight and its unique technology acts to stabilise formulations and components, including vitamins and plant extracts, in a wide variety of cosmetics."
