Shower gels: A feast for the senses

The trend in the shower gel markethas shifted towards a quest forwellbeing. New revitalizing,refreshing, relaxing or stimulatingformulas appeal to the senses, withthe development of various productsfor every mood. Another area of focusin the mass market is adoptingskincare orientation, moisturizing andsoftening formulas, with offeringsfrom Vendome, Dove, Nivea andSanex. These demands are satisfiedwith different ingredients combiningexoticism with the nature angle andskincare functions – for instance,Nivea’s rice-based, Asian-inspiredDouceur de Riz range, with formulasrich with nourishing rice oil. Bourjois’Grain de Beaute range wasreformulated in Sep 2004, updatingthe packaging and including twoproducts, a shower gel with gingerextract and a shower product.Palmolive is introducing the PalmoliveNaturals range with olive milk. Theproducts provide extensivemoisturization.

Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Jun/Jul 2005,(183), 62-63

Greek market for cleaners showingmoderate growth

The Greek market for detergents andcleaners has been good for severalyears. Environmentally friendlyproducts and “no-name” productsare growing in popularity. Marketvolume in cleaners has risen 1%/ysince 2000 and reached €325 M in2004. Detergents and householdcleaners account for 33% of themarket, softeners 14% anddishwashing products 14%. Soapsmake up 5% of the market. Pricesare in line with the EU average, butincome is only 70% of the EUaverage. Demand for “no-name” orown-name products is thus rising.30% of cleaners sold in 2004belonged to this category. Domesticproduction fell 2% in terms of volumein 2003. The four largest producersaccounted for 84% of overalldomestic output. Imports covered36% of demand and 24% ofdomestic production was exported.

Nachrichten fuer Aussenhandel, 22 Jun 2005, 68(118), 6 (in German)

Recovery in French chemicals industryconfirmed in 2005

According to the UIC (the Union ofthe French Chemicals Industry) in 1Q2005 the industry as a whole(excluding pharmaceuticals)registered a 3% increase in volumescompared with 1Q 2004. However,growth varied by sector, largelybecause of the declines experiencedat the end of 2004. Overall growth in2004 was just 0.6%. For 2005 theUIC expects moderate recovery of2.2% taking into account theslowdown in the European economy.Sales of soaps/perfumes/householdchemicals (which fell by 2.6% in2004) are expected to grow by 3.3%in 2005. Growth in the Europeanchemicals industry (2.4% in 2004) isexpected to be just 1.6% in 2005.

Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 20 Jun 2005, (302), 4 (inFrench)

COMPANYNEWS

Southern Europe a big market forCleantabs

Cleantabs A/S of Denmark, whichproduces washing and cleaningproducts in tablet form, currentlygenerates 45% of its turnover throughnew southern European customers.The company now directly suppliesFrench, German and Spanish retailchains. Turnover was DKR 178 M in2004, compared with DKR 180 M in2003. 76% of output was soldoverseas. The pre-tax result was upfrom DKR 7.5 M to DKR 8.5 M. Equitycapital totalled DKR 43 M in 2004 andthe number of employees was 122. Aturnover of DKR 189 M and a pre-taxresult of DKR 2.7 M have beenbudgeted for in 2005. The fall inearnings will be due to majorturbulence in the market for washingproducts resulting from the largeincreases in raw material prices.

Dagbladet Borsen, 14 Jun 2005, 110 (110), 12 (inDanish)

Chattem Chemicals offers Hamposylsurfactants

Chattem Chemicals Inc is nowoffering the Hamposyl speciality

surfactants product range purchasedfrom Hampshire Chemical Inc [Focuson Surfactants, March 2005].Chattem has transferred production ofthe surfactants to its site atChattanooga, TN. It will offer a similarextended line of products complyingwith the specifications of itspredecessor. It will also continueHampshire’s practice of workingclosely with clients to facilitateproduct development through theSchotten-Baumann technology.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jun2005, 42 (6), 111

Uniqema: a natural solution

Uniqema, a subsidiary of ICI, is one ofthe largest oleochemical andderivatives producers worldwide. It istaking advantage of the high oil price toseek to persuade customers to switchto use of oleochemicals derived fromvegetables and tallow, which arebecoming cost effective. The companyhas also been improving theperformance of its products. Uniqema’sR&D programme includes the searchfor oleochemicals that can be used assubstitutes for solvents and polyglycolsurfactants, which are facing increasedregulatory restrictions. Personal careingredients in Europe have all beenconverted to those derived fromvegetables. A vegetable-based wateremulsifier, Arlatone LC, has beenintroduced recently for the skin caresector [Focus on Surfactants, May2005].

European Chemical News, 20 Jun 2005, 82 (2152), 30

Firm establishes manufacturing plantin Africa

Lornamead, a manufacturer of theTura line of personal care products,has begun operations in Nigeria bysetting up a factory in Aba. Thecompany is responding to a federalgovernment’s call for foreigninvestments and a ban on import oftoilet soaps in 2004, which affectedthe company. Commissioning isscheduled within 2Q 2005. The newcompany will be named TuraInternational Ltd and will manufacturesoaps, creams, lotions, gels and hairrelaxers.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jun2005, 42 (6), 24

AUGUST 2005 7

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S