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Cosmetics, toiletries and detergents see good growth in Finland
F O C US
LEGISLATION Greenpeace sues over nonylphenol ethoxylate In Cologne, the German federal office for consumer protection is being sued by Greenpeace for refusing to prohibit or identify pesticides containing nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE). In Jul 2005, EU directive 2003/53/EC will require NPE to be banned. The directive was signed by Parliament and the Council on 18 Jun 2003. European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 27
SDA says EU ‘REACH’ plan is unworkable The US-based Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) believes that major portions of Europe’s proposed REACH chemical management policy are unworkable and would place significant burdens on business and government with “negligible” improvements to human health and the environment. SDA has filed extensive comments with the EC. One of SDA’s chief concerns is REACH’s proposed definition of what chemical ‘substances’ would have to be registered. The proposed definition of ‘substance’ includes impurities and additives, effectively making them part of a chemical’s identity. In the SDA’s view, this definition would severely challenge the workability of the regulation, making separate registrations necessary for substances that differ only in the degree of purity or types of impurities present in the substance. This would place a significant burden on the system with negligible enhanced improvement in the environment and human health. Further, including impurities as part of the chemical identity puts the EU out of step with virtually every other major chemical management system in the world, since substances are typically not differentiated by their impurities. SDA also said that the proposed language would hinder cooperative industry efforts to gather new data on chemicals: companies may be unwilling to disclose the entire impurity profile of a substance of 6
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interest to potential consortia members as this could reveal proprietary production processes to competitors, making it impossible to assure themselves that they could work together on the same ‘substance’. This could lead to each manufacturer engaging in its own testing for registration, with an increase in unnecessary animal testing. Other key SDA concerns include: avoidance of overlaps with existing legislation; confidentiality of the business information gathered through registration; role of national competent bodies versus a new central agency; the provision of a scientifically sound definition of “unacceptable risk”. SDA also urges that exemption from registration should not only include polymers but also: impurities; inorganic catalysts; homogenous and heterogeneous alloys; incidental by-products; and articles. Press release from: The Soap and Detergent Association, 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Tel: +1 202 662 2517. Website: http://www.cleaning101.com (20 Aug 2003)
MARKET REVIEWS Household products lift surfactant demand in North America During 2002, demand for surfactants by the consumer products sector in North America totalled 4.375 bn lbs (c. 1.99 M tonnes) and was valued at $3.6 bn. Growth of 3%/y is expected through 2010. Surfactants were used in $42.5 bn (25.5 bn lbs) worth of consumer products. The US accounts for 81% (by weight) of the consumer products market in North America. Laundry detergents account for 54% of US household products. Liquids are expected to account for 90% of the US detergent market by 2010. The US accounts for 76% of consumption followed by Mexico with 17% and Canada with 7%. 2.1%/y growth is predicted for anionic surfactants to $2.56 bn in 2010, with 2.3%/y growth to $872.3 M for nonionics and 2.6% growth to $480.4 M for cationics and others. Chemical Week, 20 Aug 2003, 165 (29), 24
Cosmetics, toiletries and detergents see good growth in Finland In Finland in 2002 domestic sales of cosmetics, toiletries, and detergents rose by 4.1% to €498 M. Cosmetics and toiletry products accounted for €309 M of this total, household washing, cleaning and maintenance products for €94 M, institutional and industrial washing, cleaning, and maintenance products for €61 M, and other chemical consumer products for €34 M. Products manufactured in Finland generated 24% of the total sales. Kemia – Kemi, Jun 2003, 30 (6), 49-50
Indian FMCG companies slashing prices to gain sales volume FMCG majors have replaced freebies and expenses on promotions by direct price reductions on products to attract consumers. Procter & Gamble reduced the price of its detergent Tide sachet to Rup 1/20 g sachet and that of Ariel to Rup 2/20 g sachet with the aim of increasing market share. Hindustan Lever is expected to follow suit by reducing the price of its detergent Surf sachets. The company reduced the price of Surf Excel by nearly 15% to attract users from lower-priced brands. Research agency ORG-Marg AC Nielsen opines that the sales of FMCG products, except skincare products and shampoos, continued to decline in Jul 2003. Sales of toilet soaps and toothpastes were lower by 12% for Jul 2003. The FMCG majors continue to focus on rural markets despite the slowdown. Godrej introduced smaller packs of 50 gm of its powder brands Cinthol, Fair Glow and Godrej No 1 priced at Rup 4 and Rup 5. Hindustan Lever introduced its fast selling Lifebuoy soap in 18 gm packs priced at Rup 2. The FMCG majors are yet to realize the benefits of the price reductions they have undertaken. Business Line, 2 Oct 2003, 10 (273 supplement), 1
US surfactant demand trends According to market researchers at Colin A Houston Associates, surfactant demand for household products will rise by 3%/y to 1.44 M NOVEMBER 2003
LEGISLATION Greenpeace sues over nonylphenol ethoxylate In Cologne, the German federal office for consumer protection is being sued by Greenpeace for refusing to prohibit or identify pesticides containing nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE). In Jul 2005, EU directive 2003/53/EC will require NPE to be banned. The directive was signed by Parliament and the Council on 18 Jun 2003. European Chemical News, 8 Sep 2003, 79 (2067), 27
SDA says EU ‘REACH’ plan is unworkable The US-based Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) believes that major portions of Europe’s proposed REACH chemical management policy are unworkable and would place significant burdens on business and government with “negligible” improvements to human health and the environment. SDA has filed extensive comments with the EC. One of SDA’s chief concerns is REACH’s proposed definition of what chemical ‘substances’ would have to be registered. The proposed definition of ‘substance’ includes impurities and additives, effectively making them part of a chemical’s identity. In the SDA’s view, this definition would severely challenge the workability of the regulation, making separate registrations necessary for substances that differ only in the degree of purity or types of impurities present in the substance. This would place a significant burden on the system with negligible enhanced improvement in the environment and human health. Further, including impurities as part of the chemical identity puts the EU out of step with virtually every other major chemical management system in the world, since substances are typically not differentiated by their impurities. SDA also said that the proposed language would hinder cooperative industry efforts to gather new data on chemicals: companies may be unwilling to disclose the entire impurity profile of a substance of 6
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S U R FAC TA N T S
interest to potential consortia members as this could reveal proprietary production processes to competitors, making it impossible to assure themselves that they could work together on the same ‘substance’. This could lead to each manufacturer engaging in its own testing for registration, with an increase in unnecessary animal testing. Other key SDA concerns include: avoidance of overlaps with existing legislation; confidentiality of the business information gathered through registration; role of national competent bodies versus a new central agency; the provision of a scientifically sound definition of “unacceptable risk”. SDA also urges that exemption from registration should not only include polymers but also: impurities; inorganic catalysts; homogenous and heterogeneous alloys; incidental by-products; and articles. Press release from: The Soap and Detergent Association, 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Tel: +1 202 662 2517. Website: http://www.cleaning101.com (20 Aug 2003)
MARKET REVIEWS Household products lift surfactant demand in North America During 2002, demand for surfactants by the consumer products sector in North America totalled 4.375 bn lbs (c. 1.99 M tonnes) and was valued at $3.6 bn. Growth of 3%/y is expected through 2010. Surfactants were used in $42.5 bn (25.5 bn lbs) worth of consumer products. The US accounts for 81% (by weight) of the consumer products market in North America. Laundry detergents account for 54% of US household products. Liquids are expected to account for 90% of the US detergent market by 2010. The US accounts for 76% of consumption followed by Mexico with 17% and Canada with 7%. 2.1%/y growth is predicted for anionic surfactants to $2.56 bn in 2010, with 2.3%/y growth to $872.3 M for nonionics and 2.6% growth to $480.4 M for cationics and others. Chemical Week, 20 Aug 2003, 165 (29), 24
Cosmetics, toiletries and detergents see good growth in Finland In Finland in 2002 domestic sales of cosmetics, toiletries, and detergents rose by 4.1% to €498 M. Cosmetics and toiletry products accounted for €309 M of this total, household washing, cleaning and maintenance products for €94 M, institutional and industrial washing, cleaning, and maintenance products for €61 M, and other chemical consumer products for €34 M. Products manufactured in Finland generated 24% of the total sales. Kemia – Kemi, Jun 2003, 30 (6), 49-50
Indian FMCG companies slashing prices to gain sales volume FMCG majors have replaced freebies and expenses on promotions by direct price reductions on products to attract consumers. Procter & Gamble reduced the price of its detergent Tide sachet to Rup 1/20 g sachet and that of Ariel to Rup 2/20 g sachet with the aim of increasing market share. Hindustan Lever is expected to follow suit by reducing the price of its detergent Surf sachets. The company reduced the price of Surf Excel by nearly 15% to attract users from lower-priced brands. Research agency ORG-Marg AC Nielsen opines that the sales of FMCG products, except skincare products and shampoos, continued to decline in Jul 2003. Sales of toilet soaps and toothpastes were lower by 12% for Jul 2003. The FMCG majors continue to focus on rural markets despite the slowdown. Godrej introduced smaller packs of 50 gm of its powder brands Cinthol, Fair Glow and Godrej No 1 priced at Rup 4 and Rup 5. Hindustan Lever introduced its fast selling Lifebuoy soap in 18 gm packs priced at Rup 2. The FMCG majors are yet to realize the benefits of the price reductions they have undertaken. Business Line, 2 Oct 2003, 10 (273 supplement), 1
US surfactant demand trends According to market researchers at Colin A Houston Associates, surfactant demand for household products will rise by 3%/y to 1.44 M NOVEMBER 2003