F O C US
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
of alkyl polyglycoside and at least one more product.
surfactant, a proton donating agent and water.
HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jun 2003, 40 (6), 25
HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jun 2003, 40 (6), 24
COMPANY RESULTS Unilever: operational analysis
Unilever earns patents for skin and hair care formulations Unilever HPC was granted US Patent No 6,533,873 B1 for a clear skin or hair cleanser product. The product contains at least one anionic surfactant or amphoteric surfactant or acrylate copolymer or cationic polymer, an insoluble component such as gas bubbles, water-insoluble liquids, particulates or beads and water. The company has also obtained US Patent No. 6,534,073 B2 for its skin care cosmetic product that contains carboxymethylates of branched alcohols and/or ethoxylates thereof. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jun 2003, 40 (6), 25 & 24
LEGISLATION Dangerous substances: nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement A proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and chromium VI compounds in cement (26th amendment of Council Directive 76/769/EEC) was endorsed by the European Economic and Social Committee on 26 Mar 2003. It was further endorsed by Parliament (first reading) on 27 Mar, subject to minor amendments. Bulletin of the European Union, 23 Jun 2003, (3) (Website: http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/bull/en/welcome.htm)
Colgate-Palmolive patents liquid cleaning compositions Researchers from Colgate-Palmolive of Belgium secured US Patent No 6,534,468 B1 for a liquid cleaning microemulsion product. The new product contains a positively-charged complex of alkali metal or an ammonium salt of an anionic surfactant, or an ammonium salt that is not fluorinated and a polycationic polymer. It also contains a cosurfactant, a waterinsoluble hydrocarbon or perfume, at least one dicarboxylic acid, an aminoalkylene phosphoric acid, phosphoric acid, a magnesium sulfate heptahydrate and water. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jun 2003, 40 (6), 24
Colgate earns patent for antibacterial dish wipe Colgate-Palmolive researchers in New Jersey, USA, obtained US Patent No 6,534,472 B1 for a dishwashing wipe that contains an antibacterial liquid cleaning formula impregnated in a water-soluble substrate. The cleanser contains an alkali metal or ammonium salt of an anionic sulfonate surfactant, an alkaline earth metal salt of an anionic sulfate surfactant, a zwitterionic 6
MARKET REVIEWS Toilet soaps work up 4.5% lather in Apr 2003 The Rup 43.5 bn toilet soap market in India registered a 4.5% growth in Apr 2003 after posting negative growths since 2001. The main growth drivers are the sub-popular segment brands such as Breeze, Nirma and Lifebuoy. The sub-popular soaps segment recorded 16-17% growth in value terms. The growth has come from urban markets whereas the rural market continues to decline, which is attributed to sale of shampoos in sachets in rural markets. In the premium soaps category, Dettol soap has garnered a 3.3% market share followed by Pears with 3.2% and Liril with 2.5% share. Dettol soap posted a 13.8% growth in value terms while Liril posted a 10.5% growth in Apr 2003. Margo and Mysore Sandal soap brands have a share of 1.9% each. In the overall toilet soap category, Lux normal brand is the leader with a 15% market share. Business Line, 21 Jun 2003, 10 (171), 1
Unilever’s home care and professional cleaning division had a turnover of €1985 M in 1Q 2003, a decline of 15% compared to €2330 M in 1Q 2002. Personal care turnover was €2982 M in 1Q 2003, an 8% increase compared to 1Q 2002. The foods division had a turnover of €6062 M in 1Q 2003, a decline of 5%. Other operations had a turnover of €95 M in 1Q 2003, a decline of 20% compared to 1Q 2002. 1Q 2003 operating profit before exceptional items and amortization of goodwill and intangibles, shows foods with €799 M; home care and professional cleaning €247 M; personal care with €583 M and other operations €-6 M. On 18 Feb 2003, Unilever announced an agreement to acquire the remaining unheld shares in CPC/Aji, a joint venture with activities in 6 countries, from Ajinomoto Co Inc, Japan. The acquisition is in 2 parts with approximately 1 half of Ajinomoto’s holding transferred on 25 Mar 2003 and the balance scheduled for transfer in Mar 2004. Unilever will pay a total of $381 M for Ajinomoto’s holding. Unilever has full management control of the business with effect from 25 Mar 2003, and accordingly the business was fully consolidated in the balance sheet at 29 Mar 2003. Unilever 1Q Results 2003, 2 May 2003, 11, 13 (Unilever Plc, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7822 5252)
Godrej Consumer: Fading colour, marginal sales increase for 2002-2003 Godrej Consumer Products, which has presence in niche segments such as hair colour, posted a 27.5% increase in net profit at Rup 535 M on sales of Rup 4.701 bn for 2002-2003 compared to a net profit of Rup 419 M on sales of Rup 4.586 bn in 20012002. The sales include revenues from contract manufacturing and sales of by-products. Sale of Godrej brands increased by 8% for 20022003 compared to an increase of 8.8% in 2001-2002. The company AUGUST 2003