The European Union has cleared the acquisition of France-based
Marionnaud Parfumerieries by AS Watson, part of Hong Kong
conglomorate Hutchinson Whampoa. The deal wins the group a
controlling stake in Marionnaud, reports Simon Pitman.
Italian company Unifill, a manufacturer of vertical thermoform,
fill andseal machines for monodose plastic packs for the food,
pharmaceutical,cosmetics and personal care industries, will be
displaying upgraded and new models at the...
Alcan is to sell its European aluminum tubes business operationsto
its current management team and 21 Centrale Partners, an investment
fund specialised in high-potential mid-size industrial companies,
reports Simon Pitman.
Japanese company Bernet International is turning waste from soybean
processing into a base ingredient for cosmetic applications using
newly developed biotechnology, reports Simon Pitman.
Women between the age of 15 and 24 in India are currently providing
the backbone to significant growth in the cosmetics industry,
reports Simon Pitman.
Cognis Care Chemicals has reported a stronger financial performance
in 2004 thanks in part to a restructuring of the division. The
results helped the privately-owned German group to reduce its debts
by more than half compared to the...
US-based Helix BioMedix and American Global Health Group (AGHG)
have signed a license agreement for the inclusion of certain Helix
peptide technology for AGHG skin care products that are presently
under development and expected to...
Beiersdorf has reported flat financial results following what the
Germany-based skin specialist described as a difficult year for
trading as the domestic market continued to prove particularly
challenging. However, the company says...
Amway has broken into the Russian market in a bid to tap into huge
consumer growth. The direct sales company is aiming to establish a
sales force for its range of cosmetics and household products from
centres based in Moscow and Nizhni...
Japan-based Frontier Carbon Corporation says it is commencing US
production in a bid to muscle in on the growing demand for
fullerene materials for, amongst other industries, the European and
US cosmetics and personal care sector.
Alcan is to purchase a packaging manufacturing site in the
ChineseSuzhou region, which will be equipped to fabricate beauty
and personal care products. The company says the move will better
serve it to and meet fast growing regional...
Avon says it is on track to deliver strong quarterly growth,
although the US market is likely to prove the exception to regional
growth in view of the tough conditions there.
Croda is to unveil a number of new value-added concepts, including
a series of naturally derived ingredients, at the forthcoming
In-Cosmetics show, to be held in Berlin next month, reports
Simon Pitman.
Coletica has confirmed that Engelhard will acquire a majority stake
in the company, having just announced a strong set of financial
results for 2004, reports Simon Pitman.
PolyOne has introduced a new additive for FDA-regulated PET
designed for use in health and beauty packaging applications. OnCap
AA scavenger aims to reduce the risk of odor and taste build-up
associated with some types of PET packaging,...
In Japan two leading cosmetic companies have announced the launch
of new skin care formulas in the same week. Kanebo has developed a
vitamin-B skin whitening product, while Kao has unveiled a formula
that claims to tighten skin pores,...
In an effort to expand its range of UV filters for cosmetic
applications, BASF Aktiengesellschaft is teaming up with Japan's
Sakai Chemical company to develop new microfine titanium dioxides.
A stalwart ingredient for the international cosmetics industries,
scientists now say that massaging new born babies with sunflower
oil helps to fend off infection and other medical complications.
Liz Claiborne has reported a strong final quarter for its financial
year 2004, but a mixed performance for its cosmetic revenues clouds
an otherwise good year for the US fashion house.
French cosmetics ingredients producer Coletica has confirmed that
it has received an offer from Engelhard Corporation to buy a
majority stake in its share capital, in a move that will give the
company a much-needed cash injection,...
Rohm and Haas has selected the site for its new China research and
development center in Shanghai, as part of its move to increase the
development of specialty material products for a number of Asia
Pacific industries, including personal...
Global packaging provider Rexam has announced flat results for the
full year 2004, with its plastics packaging division boosted by a
particularly good performance from its beauty operation, reports
Simon Pitman.
Givaudan has reported that sales fell in 2004, with a poor
performance from its fragrance division hampered by its fragrance
ingredients business combined with unfavourable currency exchange
rates, reports Simon Pitman.
Oriflame's less than impressive debut as a public listed company
and falling profits has prompted major boardroom changes,
highlighted by the appointment of Magnus Brännström as the
company's new CEO, Simon Pitman reports.
Shiseido, Japan's leading cosmetics group, has commenced a joint
research project in an effort to discover new herbal ingredients
for its cosmetic products, writes Simon Pitman.
The investment world has given its seal of approval to P&G's
proposed $57 billion acquisition of Gillette, with analysts
recommending Gillette shares as a good buy, but experts are
expecting that the deal will bring headaches...
Campaigns for cosmetic and toiletry products are leading a major
surge in advertising expenditure in China, latest research
information shows. The findings reflect the continued growth and
investment in an industry hotly tipped for...
L'Oreal announced second half financial results broadly in line
with market expectations at the end of last week, boosted by strong
sales in both the US and emerging markets. However, analysts
believe that improvements in profitability...
US and global consumer goods giant Sara Lee says it is planning to
refocus its business operations by selling off its direct sales
business for cosmetic, household and other consumer products.
US personal care company Nu Skin's net income suffered from a
conference payment in Q4, but the company was happy with the large
revenue it brought in during the period.
Swedish cosmetics company Oriflame today announced an increase in
sales in Q4 boosted by the efficiency of the catalogue as a selling
tool, but operating profit was down.
A medical study conducted at the University of New Mexico in the US
has concluded that exposure to sunlight might stop skin cancers.
Both industry and cancer associations have said that further
research is warranted in this area,...
Avon has reported that sales grew ten per cent during 2004,on the
back of a continued growth during the fourth and last quarter. But
currency weakness and a slack US market continue to hamper
otherwise healthy results.
Sabinsa Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of herbal
extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine chemicals,
has appointed new agents in France and Germany for its
cosmeceutical line as part of a drive to extend its...
A scientific study has shown that artificial musk fragrance can
increase sensitivity to toxins in mussels, indicating possible
implications for human health. Simon Pitman reports on the
findings and industry's reaction.
Inamed a global health care company, and its partner Ipsen, a
European pharmaceutical group, are to distribute rights of Ipsen's
botulinum toxin Type A product in selected international markets,
including Europe.
Cosmeceuticals, or supplements that target skin health and beauty,
are seeing fast growth in Europe since emerging as a new concept
but much of the growth so far has come from a handful of brands,
reports Dominique Patton.
Takasago International, one of the leading global flavours and
fragrance groups, has established a new division in Shanghai aimed
at expanding its manufacturing and retail presence in China as well
cutting costs.
Luzenac Group, the leading France-based talc producer, has
announced the extension of its business unit organisation model
worldwide, from the beginning of this year. The four new global
business units are centred on Luzenac's...
Alberto-Culver says its Beauty Systems Group has completed the
acquisition of CosmoProf, a professional beauty products
distributor based in California, US.
Nimbus Group has entered into a letter of intent with Fragex, a
French developer of cosmetics and fragrances for major
international brands based in Paris, to acquire a 51 per cent
majority stake in the French company, in a move that...
France-based Dermscan has signed a new partnership agreement
withCIDC, Centre International de Développement Clinique - the
International Centre forClinical Development. The move gives the
company a panel of multiethnic volunteers...
A government funded project in Thailand has devised a way of using
Tumeric in cosmetic products. The discovery is set to bring a host
of functions, including antioxidant and skin whitening properties
at a fraction of the cost.
Japanese cosmetic manufacturer Shiseido has announced that its
research has discovered that adenosine contains hair re-growth
properties, and that it is expecting to market as a hair growth
product in Japan from next Spring.
Avon is cutting back on non-cosmetics lines such as jewellery and
toys and concentrating on its international markets in an effort to
stem the effects of a slow US market, which the company forecasts
will not pick up during the course...
P&G has reaffirmed that its health and beauty lines,
particularly in developing markets, will continue to sustain future
growth for the company. Simon Pitman reports.