facilities. KLK will mobilize theinvestment from internally-generatedfunds and also from a grant of Ringgit134 M from the Malaysian Palm OilBoard (MPOB). MPOB will audit anddisburse the grant based on agreedspecific milestones and keyperformance indicators. KLK expectsthe projects to create a gross nationalincome impact of Ringgit 1.15 bn and205 jobs by 2020. The projects willhelp Malaysia to move along the palmoil value chain from upstreamactivities to downstream, whichinvolves the production of oleo-derivatives that can fetch higher profitmargins.

Original Source: The Star, 9 Sep 2011, (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my/) © Star Publications (M)Bhd 2011

ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS

Lonza seeks biocide dominance

Lonza has offered $1.4 bn to acquireArch Chemicals, in line with its effortsto become the leading supplier ofbiocides in the world. The mergedfirm will have the most extensivemicrobial control portfolio, withcombined sales of about $1.6 bn in2010. The microbial control market isvalued at about $10 bn/y and is seento expand 4-6%/y, buoyed by high-growth economies’ adoption of morelaws that will boost the use ofbiocides.

Original Source: TCE (formerly The ChemicalEngineer), Aug 2011, (842), 6 (Website:http://www.tcetoday.com) © Institution of ChemicalEngineers 2011

In the thick of it with Glucamate VLT

Lubrizol Corp’s Noveon ConsumerSpecialties is offering a naturallyderived associative thickenerGlucamate VLT Thickener. Thematerial minimizes surfactant irritancywhile imparting good thickening and arich, creamy lather. Glucamate VLT isderived from corn and can be utilizedin cold processing since it comes inliquid form.

Original Source: SPC, Soap, Perfumery andCosmetics, Aug 2011, 84 (8), 65 (Website:http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/) © HPCi MediaLtd 2011

APPLICATIONSPersonal careproducts

Unilever sells hair care brands

Unilever has sold the hair care brandsAlberto VO5 in the USA and PuertoRico, and Rave globally, to privateequity firm Brynwood Partners VI LP.The financial details of the transactionhave not been revealed. The divestitureis necessary in order to comply withthe demands of the US competitionauthorities relating to Unilever’s $3.7 bnacquisition of the US company AlbertoCulver, which was completed in Maythis year. The Alberto VO5 brand in theUSA and Puerto Rico includesshampoos, conditioners and hair-styling products, and the Rave brandconsists of hairsprays. Outside theUSA and Puerto Rico, the Alberto VO5brand will remain in Unilever’s portfolio.The Alberto Culver acquisition includedbrands such as TRESemmé, Nexxus,Motions, St Ives and Simple, whichcomplement Unilever’s portfolio ofbrands such as Dove, Clear, Suave,TIGI and Sunsilk in hair care andPond’s and Vaseline in skin care.

Press release from: Unilever plc, Unilever House, 100Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DY, UK, tel: +4420 7822 5252, fax: +44 20 7822 5511, website:http://www.unilever.com (24 Aug 2011)

Syntopix develops microemulsions forpersonal care

Two new green surfactants have beenidentified by Syntopix Group plc for usein oral care microemulsions. Theproducts were formulated as part of aninternational research challenge intoformulation design for healthcare andcosmetic products. Syntopix, alongwith international chemistry experts,concentrated on surfactants to meetthe increasing consumer demand fornatural, eco-friendly and biodegradableingredients.

Original Source: SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics,Aug 2011, 84 (8), 65 (Website:http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/) © HPCi Media Ltd2011

Symrise launches SymSol PF-3 – aPEG-free solubilizer

Symrise has launched its new PEG-free solubilizer SymSol PF-3.

Cosmetics manufacturers may use it tosolubilize lipophilic substances, suchas perfume and essential oils, activesand vitamins, to produce a clearsolution in pure aqueous and aqueousalcoholic product formulations. Themain areas of application are cosmeticproducts including hair and body careas well as gels, wet wipes, after shavesand fragrances. As a liquid product, it isalso easy to handle because it is coldprocessable, is colourless and clearlysoluble in water. It does not exertinfluence on the colour and odour inthe final formulation and leaves apleasant skin feel. Moreover SymSolPF-3 can be used as an emulsifier orco-emulsifier in o/w formulations.Symrise has applied for patentprotection for SymSol PF-3.

Press release from: Symrise AG, Muehlenfeldstrasse1, 37603 Holzminden, Germany, tel: +49 55 31 90 0,fax: +49 55 31 90 16 49, email: ir@symrise.com,website: http://www.symrise.com (9 Sep 2011)

Health

Discovery Labs submits Surfaxincomplete response to FDA

Discovery Labs Inc has announcedthat, on 2 Sep 2011, it submitted itscomplete response to the 2009Complete Response Letter issued bythe US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) for Surfaxin (lucinactant) for theprevention of respiratory distresssyndrome in premature infants.Discovery Labs believes that the FDAwill designate the complete responseas a Class 2 resubmission of theSurfaxin new drug application, whichwould result in a target review period ofsix months and potential approval ofSurfaxin in 1Q 2012. If approved,Surfaxin would represent the firstsynthetic, peptide-containing surfactantfor use in neonatal medicine.

PR Newswire, 6 Sep 2011, (Website:http://www.prnewswire.com)

MARKETREVIEWS

FMCG consumption trends in India

Consumption of FMCG (fast-movingconsumer goods) products such assoaps, shampoos and washing

4 NOVEMBER 2011

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S