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Unilever to sell N American washing products business
FOCUS compound. Similar products do not perform efficiently with high alkaline liquids such as waterborne cutting oils, alkaline cleaning agents, surfactants and materials used in pulp manufacture. Japan Chemical Week, 12 Jul 2007, 48 (2424), 2
APPLICATIONS Household & personal care New launches from Reckitt Benckiser in 2H 2007 Reckitt Benckiser plc has announced a number of new product launches for 2H 2007. For fabric treatment, the company is launching Vanish Oxi Action Magnet, an in-wash stain remover and sachet that also traps grime and colour runs. In surface care, Cillit Bang Grease & Floors dilutable all-purpose cleaner is being launched, and will be available in two fragrances, Fresh Force and Citrus Force. Harpic Odorstop Max and Lysol Deep Reach toilet cleaning products are also being launched. For automatic dishwashing, Finish/ Calgonit is rolling out Turbo Dry, a new drying agent, for superior drying and shiny dishes straight from the dishwasher. In the health & personal care sector, Dettol has launched Dettol Herbal bar soap and shower gel, with Aloe Vera and Botanical extracts to help nourish the skin. Press release from: Reckitt Benckiser plc, 103-105 Bath Road, Slough, SL1 3UH, UK. Tel: +44 1753 217800. Fax: +44 1753 217899. Website: http://www.reckittbenckiser.com (25 Jul 2007)
Unilever to sell N American washing products business Unilever is selling its washing products business in N America though at the moment it is not in talks with potential purchasers. Washing products such as All and Wisk generate a turnover of €800 M/y in N America, equivalent to around 2% of Unilever’s total sales. At present Unilever has a 13% share of the N American market and Procter and Gamble 57% and over the last 3-4 years Unilever’s turnover has not increased. Although Unilever would 4
ON
S U R FAC TA N T S
prefer to sell, it is open to the possibility of a joint venture [see also p 7].
China prohibits DEG in toothpaste production
Het Financieele Dagblad, 3 Aug 2007, (Website: http://www.fd.nl/) (in Dutch)
On 11 Jul 2007, the ‘Circular for Prohibiting Use of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) as a Raw Material in Toothpaste Production’ was published in China by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. The use of DEG in toothpastes is banned from 11 Jul 2007, as is the external trading of toothpastes containing DEG. In related news, some 900,000 Chinese-made toothpastes containing potentially hazardous DEG have been disseminated to more places in the USA than previously thought [Focus on Surfactants, Aug 2007]. The tainted toothpastes were distributed to mental hospitals, prisons, juvenile detention centres and several hospitals. These products reportedly reached Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina.
BioQuest Technologies announces cleaning products partnership with Indusco Antimicrobial specialist BioQuest Technologies Inc has partnered with speciality chemical and cleaning products firm Indusco Ltd to produce and market more than 200 cleaners and degreasers. The products will be targeted to the home and business cleaning supply industry as well as the auto care industry, among others. BioShield 75, introduced in 2005, has been utilized in the medical, hospitality, health club and athletics industries because of its proven microbiostatic effectiveness and durability. ProShield, the concentrated version, provides antimicrobial protection to textiles such as jerseys, socks and towels for up to 50 washes without a decrease in effectiveness with just one application. Press release from: Bioquest Technology Inc, 801 Maplewood Dr, Suite 6, Jupiter, FL 33456, USA. Tel: +1 561 747 5758. Fax: +1 561 747 5191. Website: http://www.bioshield75.com (25 Jul 2007)
New Purex laundry detergent with allnatural cleaning ingredients Henkel company Dial Corp is launching a new line of natural liquid laundry detergents, Purex Natural Elements. Purex Natural Elements provides uncompromising cleaning performance with 100% naturally derived cleaning ingredients in a line of naturally scented laundry products, the company says. The new product line is hypoallergenic and free from phosphates and dyes, while continuing to deliver quality performance at an affordable price, says Dial. In developing the new line featuring natural fragrance extracts, Purex anticipated upcoming fragrance trends to give consumers a laundry product that is pleasing to smell. Purex Natural Elements features a biodegradable, non-toxic detergent formula housed in recyclable packaging. It will be available from Aug 2007. Press release from: The Dial Corp, 15101, North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, USA. Website: http://www.dialcorp.com (21 Aug 2007)
China Chemical Reporter, 26 Jul 2007, 18 (21), 5 & HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul 2007, 44 (7), 16
Health Nycomed negotiating licensing of recombinant surfactant treatment Nycomed has 3 promising products in its research and development pipeline including Venticute, a recombinant surfactant. Venticute is undergoing fast-track registration in both the US and the EU as a treatment for patients with severe acute pneumonia and for aspiration of stomach contents. Phase III clinical trials are currently being carried out in Europe, N America and elsewhere in the world. Nycomed points out that speciality drugs, designed to treat conditions that only affect a small number of patients, are important because they do not require heavy investment in marketing. Nycomed is to sell development and marketing licenses to Venticute in Japan. Pharma Japan, 6 Aug 2007, (2052), 2
PATENTS Colgate Palmolive patents fabric care composition Colgate Palmolive has been awarded Patent No US 7,211,556 B2 for a OCTOBER 2007
APPLICATIONS Household & personal care New launches from Reckitt Benckiser in 2H 2007 Reckitt Benckiser plc has announced a number of new product launches for 2H 2007. For fabric treatment, the company is launching Vanish Oxi Action Magnet, an in-wash stain remover and sachet that also traps grime and colour runs. In surface care, Cillit Bang Grease & Floors dilutable all-purpose cleaner is being launched, and will be available in two fragrances, Fresh Force and Citrus Force. Harpic Odorstop Max and Lysol Deep Reach toilet cleaning products are also being launched. For automatic dishwashing, Finish/ Calgonit is rolling out Turbo Dry, a new drying agent, for superior drying and shiny dishes straight from the dishwasher. In the health & personal care sector, Dettol has launched Dettol Herbal bar soap and shower gel, with Aloe Vera and Botanical extracts to help nourish the skin. Press release from: Reckitt Benckiser plc, 103-105 Bath Road, Slough, SL1 3UH, UK. Tel: +44 1753 217800. Fax: +44 1753 217899. Website: http://www.reckittbenckiser.com (25 Jul 2007)
Unilever to sell N American washing products business Unilever is selling its washing products business in N America though at the moment it is not in talks with potential purchasers. Washing products such as All and Wisk generate a turnover of €800 M/y in N America, equivalent to around 2% of Unilever’s total sales. At present Unilever has a 13% share of the N American market and Procter and Gamble 57% and over the last 3-4 years Unilever’s turnover has not increased. Although Unilever would 4
ON
S U R FAC TA N T S
prefer to sell, it is open to the possibility of a joint venture [see also p 7].
China prohibits DEG in toothpaste production
Het Financieele Dagblad, 3 Aug 2007, (Website: http://www.fd.nl/) (in Dutch)
On 11 Jul 2007, the ‘Circular for Prohibiting Use of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) as a Raw Material in Toothpaste Production’ was published in China by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. The use of DEG in toothpastes is banned from 11 Jul 2007, as is the external trading of toothpastes containing DEG. In related news, some 900,000 Chinese-made toothpastes containing potentially hazardous DEG have been disseminated to more places in the USA than previously thought [Focus on Surfactants, Aug 2007]. The tainted toothpastes were distributed to mental hospitals, prisons, juvenile detention centres and several hospitals. These products reportedly reached Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina.
BioQuest Technologies announces cleaning products partnership with Indusco Antimicrobial specialist BioQuest Technologies Inc has partnered with speciality chemical and cleaning products firm Indusco Ltd to produce and market more than 200 cleaners and degreasers. The products will be targeted to the home and business cleaning supply industry as well as the auto care industry, among others. BioShield 75, introduced in 2005, has been utilized in the medical, hospitality, health club and athletics industries because of its proven microbiostatic effectiveness and durability. ProShield, the concentrated version, provides antimicrobial protection to textiles such as jerseys, socks and towels for up to 50 washes without a decrease in effectiveness with just one application. Press release from: Bioquest Technology Inc, 801 Maplewood Dr, Suite 6, Jupiter, FL 33456, USA. Tel: +1 561 747 5758. Fax: +1 561 747 5191. Website: http://www.bioshield75.com (25 Jul 2007)
New Purex laundry detergent with allnatural cleaning ingredients Henkel company Dial Corp is launching a new line of natural liquid laundry detergents, Purex Natural Elements. Purex Natural Elements provides uncompromising cleaning performance with 100% naturally derived cleaning ingredients in a line of naturally scented laundry products, the company says. The new product line is hypoallergenic and free from phosphates and dyes, while continuing to deliver quality performance at an affordable price, says Dial. In developing the new line featuring natural fragrance extracts, Purex anticipated upcoming fragrance trends to give consumers a laundry product that is pleasing to smell. Purex Natural Elements features a biodegradable, non-toxic detergent formula housed in recyclable packaging. It will be available from Aug 2007. Press release from: The Dial Corp, 15101, North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, USA. Website: http://www.dialcorp.com (21 Aug 2007)
China Chemical Reporter, 26 Jul 2007, 18 (21), 5 & HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul 2007, 44 (7), 16
Health Nycomed negotiating licensing of recombinant surfactant treatment Nycomed has 3 promising products in its research and development pipeline including Venticute, a recombinant surfactant. Venticute is undergoing fast-track registration in both the US and the EU as a treatment for patients with severe acute pneumonia and for aspiration of stomach contents. Phase III clinical trials are currently being carried out in Europe, N America and elsewhere in the world. Nycomed points out that speciality drugs, designed to treat conditions that only affect a small number of patients, are important because they do not require heavy investment in marketing. Nycomed is to sell development and marketing licenses to Venticute in Japan. Pharma Japan, 6 Aug 2007, (2052), 2
PATENTS Colgate Palmolive patents fabric care composition Colgate Palmolive has been awarded Patent No US 7,211,556 B2 for a OCTOBER 2007