Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) center for microbial protection in Hamburg, Germany that hosts expert chemists, microbiologists, and technicians.
“We are excited to add this state-of-the-art, highly equipped laboratory to the Ashland portfolio for a holistic approach to personal care solutions with a focus on helping customers choose the right antimicrobial to safely protect cosmetic, skin, hair, and oral care products,” said Tuttu Nuutinen, R&D group leader, personal care, Ashland. “Our new capabilities will better support today and tomorrow’s increasing consumer needs for performance, safety and transparency.”
With research and product development teams on-site, Ashland will provide the personal care market with unparalleled 360° solutions, breakthrough innovations and greater efficiency.
“Ashland’s capabilities include precise antimicrobial protection, globally harmonized lab services and groundbreaking hygiene audits that reach beyond today’s market standards,” said Fabian Achilles, business line director, personal care, Ashland.
Ashland’s five global personal care labs will service customers locally applying well-established and fully harmonized methods including the Cosmetic Preservation Efficacy Test (CosPET). This focused service approach goes beyond antimicrobial efficacy testing for cosmetics and includes aiding formulation challenges in skin care, hair care, and oral care. Ashland new product launches undergo substantial testing so that customers benefit from this work in their own processes.
Ashland’s expanded teams in Hamburg include the following:
technical support team- at the forefront of ideation and innovation with expertise in preservatives and multifunctionals; this team supports global customers and their desires to stay ahead of consumer trends.
product development- considers global mega trends and consumer needs; they perform efficacy tests, stability, compatibility, and texture studies to help ensure that customers’ cosmetics perform better while effectively protecting them from microbial contamination.
microbiology team- performs different bioburden tests for customers; this research team of experts supports customers and all Ashland R&D teams, developing customized tests whenever their expertise is needed to make a difference.
researchers- focus on future antimicrobial solutions with AI-based screening and evaluation of new candidates and exploration of sustainable ways to produce interesting ingredients.
“Today antimicrobials are both a “safety belt” for cosmetics and a conduit to add additional value,” said Achilles. “Ashland has a support database fed with profound insights derived from a wide range of testing capabilities including anti-oxidation, radical scavenging, hair strengthening testing and more, all to help customers’ products to live up to their very specific needs and claims.”
