Jyothy Labs targets 2 regional acquisitions

FOCUS on the other hand, yields 144 lbs of glucaric acid for every 100 lb of glucose because carbon dioxide is absorbed during the catalytic oxidation process. The new process involves the use of nitric acid oxidation but 95% of it is recycled, resulting in virtually no waste. The new process also allows the use of any source of plant grain or starch as a source of glucose, making it ‘feedstock agnostic’. Rivertop expects to have a world-scale glucaric acid production facility operating by 2013, but anticipates releasing a product ‘with which to build a market’ as soon as 2011 [see also Focus on Surfactants, Jan 2010]. Chemistry and Industry (London), 22 Nov 2010, (22), 8 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)

Other New enzyme from c-LEcta c-LEcta GmbH of Leipzig, Germany, has developed a new class of hydrolase enzyme for eliminating grass stains, a first for the detergent sector. The enzyme is currently being tested by detergent makers. The enzyme can be used as an additive together with the detergent, unlike other processes that require stained textiles to undergo pre-treatment. Chemistry and Industry (London), 22 Nov 2010, (22), 12 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)

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food, feed, textile, leather, oils & fats, beverage alcohol and biofuel industries. Press releases from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax: +45 4446 9999, e-mail: [email protected], website: http://www.novozymes.com (22 Nov & 14 Dec 2010)

APPLICATIONS Household & personal care Jyothy Labs targets 2 regional acquisitions The Rup 5750 M (€92 M) Jyothy Laboratories, manufacturer of Ujala detergent and Ujala Blue, has earmarked Rup 3000 M for the acquisitions of two detergent manufacturing firms. One was scheduled for Dec 2010 and the second in Jan 2011. The company is negotiating with Kolkata-based Safechem Industries, maker of Safed detergents. Jyothy Labs, which is recording a compounded annual growth rate of about 25%, plans to achieve a turnover of Rup 10 bn by end 2011-2012. The company plans to increase its number of retail outlets from the present 800,000 to about 1.5 M by end 2010. Business Standard, 1 Dec 2010, 13 (131), I.4

Novozymes adds granulation capacity in China, inaugurates new R&D centre and office in India

Godrej Consumer buys Genteel and Swastik consumer products brands

Investments have been made in the construction of additional granulation capacity at the Tianjin enzyme plant in China, which allows Novozymes to produce more granulated enzymes, mainly for the detergent and food industries. The plant is one of Novozymes’ three strategic production bases around the globe. Elsewhere, Novozymes opened its new state-of-the art research & development centre and office at Whitefield in Bangalore, India, in November. The new centre will house Novozymes’ Indian operations, including global support services and the R&D centre. Novozymes is the largest supplier of industrial enzymes and microorganisms in India, catering to requirements in the detergent,

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) has acquired Genteel and Swastik Shikakai brands from the Mumbai-based Priya Kothari family. Both Genteel, a liquid detergent brand, and Swastik Shikakai, a niche hair wash soap, have been operating in the Indian market for decades, and have a joint annual turnover of around Rup 300 M. The chairman of Godrej believes that the two brands will complement its existing Ezee liquid detergent brand, best known as a care brand for woollens, and its own brand of shikakai soap. The profitability from the company’s soap and liquid detergents is likely to increase to Rup 80 M as a result of the acquisition. The Ezee brand commands a share of some 75% of

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the Indian liquid detergents market and Genteel is expected to add an additional 12%. Godrej Shikakai has a market share of around 40% and Swastik Shikakai is expected to add another 20%; Wipro holds the No 2 slot in this niche category. Over the past five years, GCPL has been on an acquisition spree. While most of this activity has been focused on international buys, the group now seems to be targeting domestic opportunities. Business Line, 4 Dec 2010, 17 (334), 5 & The Times of India, 3 Dec 2010, (Website: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

America’s original natural home cleaner turns 125 On the eve of its 125th anniversary, Bon Ami is still leading the way in America’s green cleaning movement through model behaviour: chemical sensitivity and 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging. Familyowned Bon Ami has been America’s original natural home cleaner since 1886. In Nov 2010, it re-launched to include an entire new line of six simple, effective cleaning products, adding household staples such as Dish Soap, All-Purpose Cleanser and Liquid Cleanser. The company also launched a new website. The brand is quickly expanding. Originally developed as a gentle alternative to the gritty quartz-based scouring powders from the 1880s, Bon Ami was born taking what would have been a waste product - feldspar - and mixing it with soap to make a cleanser that polished away dirt and stains without scratching. Bon Ami prides itself on always being biodegradable, non-toxic and hypo-allergenic; it became a leader in its category by enforcing a 100% PCR rule. Press release from: Bon Ami, 1025 W 8th St, Kansas City, MO 64101, USA, website: http://www.BonAmi.com (16 Nov 2010)

I&I cleaning products The I&I outlook The global industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning market stands at $30 bn and sales growth is estimated to be at somewhere between 5-10%, with China, India and Brazil registering FEBRUARY 2011