Autopoon 4012, a recently developed readily biodegradable raw material from Zschimmer & Schwarz, allows easy manufacturing of high-performance water-repellents, drying agents and car shampoos with a rinse-off effect. With one product, two applications are accomplished. The active matter is water-free and leaves a gloss effect on lacquered surfaces. All components according to OECD 301 A-F are 70% biodegradable and it complies with detergents legislation EC 648/2004. More info: 49(0)2621/12-262; Fax: 49(0)2621/12568; www.zschimmer-schwarz.de.

Arch Introduces Anti-Aging Technology for Hair

Arch Personal Care Products has announced the development of Vital Hair & Scalp Complex, an anti-aging technology for hair and scalp. This new product addresses aging at the cellular level to improve follicle health and reduce hair loss so as to ensure healthier and more youthful-looking hair, according to the company.

Vital Hair & Scalp Complex claims to address hair and scalp aging at the cellular level, improve follicle health, reduce hair loss, provide anti-inflammatory/antioxidant activity and increase the penetration of actives to follicles. Vital Hair & Scalp Complex blends natural and synthetic ingredients.

The company performed a study, wherein the participants noted that the side of their heads treated with Vital Hair & Scalp Complex was softer (87%) and stronger than before treatment. In addition, 66% of panelists noted smoother hair following treatment with this complex.  The results from the combing study indicate that the side treated with Vital Hair & Scalp Complex demonstrates a 17% improvement in just five days as indicated by the reduction in hair loss.

The company states that together with the protective qualities from the antioxidants present in Vital Hair & Scalp Complex, smoother feeling and stronger hair will be achieved. More info: www.archpersonalcare.com; [email protected]; (908) 561-5200.

Sanitary Mixer and PowerMix Offered by Ross

Designed for multiple mixing requirements such as high-speed dispersion, emulsification, particle-size reduction and homogenization, the Ross VersaMix Triple Shaft Mixer is now available with the company’s SLIM System (Solid/Liquid Injection Manifold).

The Ross VersaMix Triple Shaft Mixer is designed for multiple mixing requirements, and the Ross PowerMix is suited to mix and disperse minor ingredients into a major carrier.

The incorporation of this high-speed powder induction technology adds to the VersaMix’s flexibility and broadens its applicability to various cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

The SLIM system injects materials directly into the rotor/stator agitator of the VersaMix. The strong vacuum force above the high shear mixer sucks in powders or liquids for immediate dispersion or emulsification. Because wet-out is virtually instant, the mixing time is decreased and the volume of air-borne particles resulting from powder dusting is minimized, according to Ross.

The specially designed rotor and lower flange enable direct connection of a tube to a hopper or wand arrangement. The SLIM system works well under ambient or vacuum conditions. Under vacuum, the pressure between the vessel’s interior and surroundings creates a supplemental driving force for powder or liquid induction. In addition, incorporating ingredients under vacuum helps maintain an air-free mixture, eliminating the need for lengthy post-process deaeration steps.

The product is available in many sizes, from a 0.5 gallon laboratory unit, through a 750-gallon production mode. It offers numerous optional features, such as a wide range of construction materials, vacuum and pressure designs, jackets to heat or cool, wall scrapers and sanitary construction. More info: (800) 243-ROSS; (631) 234-0500; E-mail: [email protected].

Croda Launches Household Surfactant

A new high actives surfactant, Primasurf SC50, has been introduced by Croda Home Care. The product offers manufacturers a route to successful formulation of multi-format home care cleaners. The product is said to give effective cleaning performance at low levels compared with common anionics, as well as fast wetting of surfaces and fabrics. When tested in vitro, Primasurf SC50 also proved to be mild on the skin. It is recommended for all types of cleaning formulations, including sprays, bottles and wet wipes.

While it offers a high surfactant activity (50%) Primasurf SC50 is easily dilutable, producing a rapid strike in water with no gelling or phase behaviour problems. It is compatible with common builders, does not require a hydrotrope and is a colorless liquid down to 0oC. Its low temperature stability is particularly useful for cold climates, according to Croda.

Primasurf SC50 can replace multiple ingredients in traditional formulations and can be used for a variety of cleaning products, such as hard surface cleaners, multisurface and antibacterial cleaning wipes, car interior and upholstery cleaners, liquid laundry detergents and I&I dilutable cleaners. More info: www.croda.com/europe/primasurf.

Mibelle AG Biochemistry Launches Skin Care Products

Mibelle AG Biochemistry’s new Perfection Peptide P3 is a tripeptide said to rejuvenate the skin by biomimetic desquamation. The sequence of this tripeptide has been designed to gently and regularly peel off the corneocytes and to speed up epidermal cell turnover. The new AquaCacteen is an ultra-refined elixir made from prickly pear. Mibelle’s advanced enzymatic procedure ensures that for the first time, all of the bio-functional components of this cactus are successfully extracted. AquaCacteen is a highly effective moisturizing and soothing active for all skin care products. More info: www.mib-bio.com.

Dow Corning Introduces Natural Lipids

Dow Corning is introducing a line of natural lipids that are stabilized against oxidation so they can be easily formulated with silicones to improve the feel of hair and skin care products.

The lipids line is the result of an alliance with International Cosmetic Science Centre ApS (ICSC), a research and development center and supplier of high-quality natural ingredients to the cosmetic industry.

Rich in essential fatty acids, Dow Corning brand lipids are good moisturizers and hair conditioners (especially ethnic hair care products) and even restore the skin’s barrier function. They can be used in combination with silicones, which are emollients that improve the feel of formulations to create smoother feeling products with low film residue, greasiness and tackiness.

Dow Corning lipids are naturally derived from plant seeds, fruit nuts or kernels—mango, kokum, black currant, evening primrose, borage, camelina and shea—that come from such locations as India, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan, East Asia, East Africa, Mexico, Central America and China. More info: www.dowcorning.com/personalcare; E-mail: [email protected]; (989) 496-7759.

Lee Industries Offers Custom Blenders

Philipsburg, PA-based Lee Industries is presenting custom blenders for specialty ingredients and delicate batches. The Process Systems and Equipment Horizontal Blender designs offer versatility for mixing specialty dry ingredients. Various options may be added, including stream/water jacket, insulation, scraper blades, flush-mounted ball valves and trunnion tilting.

Horizontal blenders are used extensively in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries with a choice of paddle, single- or double-ribbon agitators. All agitators can be customized for lifting, folding or cross agitation with sanitary shaft seals.

More info: (814) 342-0470; E-mail: [email protected]; www.leeind.com.

Zenitech Introduces The Zenester Platform

The new Zenester Platform provides a series of high molecular weight (36,000) polymeric silicone polymers, some of which are water-soluble. The family of products in this platform includes several nonionic products that are compatible with cationic and anionic systems. There are also cationic polyesters that are water soluble and very substantive to hair and skin.

Zenester products may be used in skin, sun and hair applications. They also can vary in water solubility, ranging from soluble to dispersible or a microemulsion. The products are clear in formulations, and act as couplers in oil/water and water/oil emulsions. They are highly lubricious and provide excellent skin feel and conditioning. More info: www.zenitech.com; (203) 698-2833.

New Whitening Extract By Ichimaru Pharcos

U.S. Cosmetics Corporation, Dayville, CT, introduces a new whitening extract developed by Ichimaru Pharcos, Gifu, Japan. Clairju (INCI name Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica), an extract derived from prunes, inhibits skin darkening by decreasing the appetite of keratinocytes for the melanin-producing melanocytes. By minimizing the transfer of melanin to the keratinocytes, skin darkening is minimized. Clairju can be used with conventional skin whitening agents and is approved for use as an additive in Quasi-Drug whitening products in Japan. Moisturizing and improvement of skin texture are additional benefits obtained by incorporation of Clairju into skin care products. More info: www.us-cosm.com.