Henkel and Clariant GmbH land patent for dishwashing detergent

F O C US Britannia and Bespak to advance surgical adhesions treatment Britannia Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Bespak plc have signed an agreement to accelerate the development of AdSurf, a novel clinical approach to the prevention of surgical adhesions that has been under development by Britannia since 1997. AdSurf is a synthetic surfactant – a unique formulation of the naturally occurring phospholipids dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). It is administered as a sterile dry powder prior to surgical closure. Under the terms of this agreement, Britannia will remain responsible for AdSurf’s clinical development, as well as the manufacturing scale-up of the active ingredient, while Bespak will invest in the development of a commercially viable delivery device for the product. Britannia and Bespak will share investment in and any intellectual property resulting from this joint development. Press release from: Britannia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 41-51 Brighton Rd, Redhill, RH1 6YS, UK. Tel: +44 1737 773741. Fax: +44 1737 762672. Website: http://www.britannia-pharm.co.uk (14 Oct 2003)

PATENTS Bleaching detergent patent earned by Unilever HPC Patent No US 6,596,679 B1 has been awarded to Unilever Home & Personal Care of USA for its enzymatic detergent formulation containing a surfactant, and a cofactor-dependent oxidoreductase. This product also contains an antibody or antibody fragment, which is directed at surface amino acid residue(s) and with a molar ratio of less than 1. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Sep 2003, 40 (9), 41

Cleaning tablets patented by ColgatePalmolive Colgate-Palmolive Co has obtained Patent No US 6,596,682 B1 for its cleaning tablet that contains sulfonated anionic surfactant, clay, salt, magnesium-containing inorganic salt, alkali metal bicarbonate and DECEMBER 2003

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alpha hydroxy aliphatic acid. This product also contains an alkali metal salt of a polycarboxylic acid, solubilizing agent, alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal salt and blueand/or green-coloured speckles of citric acid. This formulation is free of polyphosphates, inorganic or organic builder salts or grease removal solvents. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Sep 2003, 40 (9), 41

Kao Corp patents fabric softener composition Patent No US 6,596,685 B2 has been granted to Kao Corp of Tokyo, Japan for its fabric softener that has one or more C8-36 hydrocarbon groups and two or more groups taken from an amino acid group and a quaternary ammonium group, an anionic surfactant having a C8-36 hydrocarbon and a nonionic surfactant. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Sep 2003, 40 (9), 40

Colgate-Palmolive patents antibacterial cleaning wipe Colgate-Palmolive Co has obtained Patent No US 6,596,681 B1 for its cleaning wipe containing a nonwoven fabric and a liquid cleaning formulation. This liquid composition has a sulfonate or sulfate anionic surfactant, a cationic polymer, an emulsifier and water. The formulation is free of potassium sorbate or an alkali metal carbonate or quaternary ammonium compound. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Sep 2003, 40 (9), 41

Henkel and Clariant GmbH land patent for dishwashing detergent Henkel KGaA and Clariant GmbH were awarded US Patent No 6,462,006 for a dishwashing detergent containing phosphate and crystalline lamellar silicates. The detergent offers better cleaning performance and protection to sensitive tableware, such as glasses and decorated tableware, despite having phosphate as an ingredient. Soap and Cosmetics, Jun 2003, 79 (3), 14

MARKETS REVIEWS Shake up for surfactants The global market for surfactants is at 12 M tonnes, with speciality surfactants accounting for about 4 M tonnes. Growth rates of between zero and 1.5% are seen in the mature markets of North America, Western Europe and Japan. Polarization is expected to continue in the industry, with classifications into global, principally bulk surfactant suppliers and smaller specialized performance surfactant producers. The Pacific Asia region and other areas of the developing world, such as those in Latin America, may provide the major growth opportunities. The new EU Detergents Directive that will be enforced by the middle of 2005 requires all surfactants types utilized in detergents to be readily biodegradable. Replacement of current materials and development of new products will be propelled by the increasing health, safety and environment legislation and voluntary agreements. Performance Chemicals Europe (PCE), Oct/Nov 2003, 18 (3), 19-20, 22

Good growth in N America for surfactants in cosmetics The N American cosmetics and toiletries sector consumed around 2.14 bn pounds of surfactants in 2002. The market was worth $1.05 bn, making it the largest class of speciality chemicals. Impact Marketing Consultants forecasts that the N American cosmetics surfactant market will reach $1.185 bn by 2007. The cosmetics sector is expected to have sales of $34.3 bn in 2007 ($29.8 bn in 2002). Fastest growth will be in skin care products, predicted to increase by 4.6%/y to 2007. Around 60% of surfactants for the cosmetics sector are used in personal body wash products with 25% for shampoos and 15% in hair and body conditioners, skin creams and other products. Anionic surfactant sales were $765 M in 2002 (1.9 bn pounds). The leading anionic surfactant producers are Stepan and 5