Feel-good hormones could cause UV addiction

Sun lovers eagerly flock to the beach every summer, despite widespread awareness of the risk of skin cancer. A study published June 19th by Cell Press in the journal Cell reveals that chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes the release of feel-good hormones called endorphins, which act through the same pathway as heroin and related drugs, leading to physical dependence, tolerance, and addiction-like behaviour in rodents. The findings could explain why people have an instinctive desire to be in the sun, despite its known health risks.
"This information might serve as a valuable means of educating people to curb excessive sun exposure in order to limit skin cancer risk as well as accelerated skin aging that occurs with repeated sun exposure," says senior study author David Fisher of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. "Our findings suggest that the decision to protect our skin or the skin of our children may require more of a conscious effort rather than a passive preference."
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and UV-seeking behaviour is a major risk factor. Many UV seekers meet clinical criteria for a substance-related disorder, but the mechanisms underlying such an addiction have been unclear. One potential clue is that UV exposure stimulates the production of endorphins, which relieve pain by activating opioid receptors through the same pathway activated by prescription painkillers, morphine, and heroin.
In the new study, Fisher and his team examined whether this pathway could underlie UV addiction. They exposed shaved mice to UV light for 6 weeks and found that endorphin levels in the bloodstream increased within 1 week. After the 6-week period ended, treatment with an opioid-blocking drug caused withdrawal symptoms, including shaking, tremors, and teeth chattering, in mice that had been exposed to UV light. As a result, these mice avoided locations where they had been given the drug, suggesting that chronic UV exposure produces physical dependence and addiction-like behaviour.
"It's surprising that we're genetically programmed to become addicted to something as dangerous as UV radiation, which is probably the most common carcinogen in the world," Fisher says. "We suspect that the explanation involves UV's contribution to vitamin D synthesis in the skin. However, in the current time, there are much safer and more reliable sources of vitamin D that do not come with carcinogenic risk, so there is real health value in avoiding sunlight as a source of vitamin D".

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.04.032




RAHN PUBLISHES NEW STUDY WITH ILLUMISCIN^®
ILLUMISCIN^® eliminates age spots and provides illuminated skin. A balanced composition of oleuropein, vitamin C and zinc-PCA effectively fights against both the pigments responsible for the appearance of age spots – melanin and lipofuscin. RAHN already could show that ILLUMISCIN^® diminishes the size and reduces the contour contrast of age spots. A new in-vivo study was carried out in European winter (first month) and spring (second and third month). This placebo-controlled, double-blind and randomised study reveals that following the application on the back of the hands ILLUMISCIN^® has a lightening effect on age spots under winter sun (depigmentation) and inhibited new pigment formation under spring sun (repigmentation). It could also be demonstrated that ILLUMISCIN^® controls age spots without lightening the surrounding skin: the lightening effect on age spots is much stronger than on surrounding skin areas. Thus the efficacy of ILLUMISCIN^® is based on a triple effect: minimisation, lightening and fading-out of age spots. This distinguishes ILLUMISCIN^® from conventional skin lighteners which reduce the colour of the age spots and the adjacent skin simultaneously. The application of ILLUMISCIN^® for the treatment of age spots is patented. The efficacy of ILLUMISCIN^® is proven in several studies: -Activates the proteasome (in-vitro study); -Prevents the formation of lipofuscin (in-vitro study); -Reduces the size and the contour contrast of age spots (in-vivo study); -Promotes depigmentation and prevents repigmentation of age spots (in-vivo study).
www.rahn-group.com

SENSIENT COLORS INVESTS IN NEW SOUTH AFRICAN FACILITY
Sensient Colours has announced it plans to invest and expand production and distribution facilities in South Africa to better serve this important region. Sensient has been operating successfully in South Africa since 1995 and considers the region to be a key growth market. Business development has led to the investment decision to strengthen its offering to food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics, as well as household product customers, both locally and across the Sub-Saharan region. The construction of the new facility will position Sensient as the only international colour supplier with a local sales, development, production and distribution centre in South Africa. Sensient South Africa is a level 7 BBBEE contributor and an ISO 9001:2008 accredited company. It also has FSSC 22000:2010 food safety certification 22000, a GFSI recognised certification. Mike Geraghty, President, Colour Group, Sensient Technologies Corporation, commented, “this investment will enable us to better serve our customers in the region through a direct manufacturing presence, and is a further demonstration of Sensient’s commitment to combine technical expertise and in-depth knowledge to create new opportunities around the world”.
www.sensient-fce.com

LONZA LAUNCHES NEW LONZEST™ DC EMOLLIENT ESTER FOR EXCELLENT SKIN CONDITIONING
Lonza has recently launched a new Lonzest™ DC Emollient Ester that offers superb spreadability on the skin and excellent skin-conditioning properties that will benefit personal care formulators. Representing the latest multi-functional ingredient from Lonza, Lonzest™ DC (dicaprylyl carbonate) is a light ester emollient that conditions skin with superior solubility of UV sun filters. It has excellent pigment-wetting properties and is a silicone-free alternative. The product helps give a light, dry, powdery feel to the skin so that the skin doesn’t feel oily or greasy despite the application of a sunscreen or face lotion. Lonzest™ DC can be used in sunscreens, colour cosmetics, daily facial lotions, overnight serums and non-greasy aesthetic formulations “Lonzest™ DC emollient ester is a broadly functional ingredient in formulation. One of the major benefits is its ability to provide pigment wetting for colour cosmetics” said Lisa Bouldin, Head of Lonza Personal Care and added: “Study results also confirmed it is capable of helping to solubilize many different organic UV filters, as well as to improve the dispersion of inorganic UV filters”. Lonza has incorporated the Lonzest™ DC technology into two available formulations for cosmetic and personal care formulators: HydraTherapy™ Sleep Time Mask and Polyaldo™ Base Formulations.
www.lonza.com/personalcare

HALLSTAR EXPANDS ORGANICS PORTFOLIO WITH FLORASOLVS NATURAL ESTERS ACQUISITION
The HallStar Company is pleased to announce a strategic expansion of its natural functional ingredients portfolio with the recent acquisition of the Florasolvs® natural esters product line of specialty ingredients from FloraTech, a globally renowned provider of botanically-derived ingredients. “Today’s savvy consumers demand the best of both worlds—an assurance of trusted, natural ingredients with functional properties for personal care products” states John Paro, president and CEO, The HallStar Company and adds: “Investing in ingredients such as Florasolvs® natural esters is a win-win for our valued customers, who want to develop only the most unique products to distinguish their hair and skin care formulations from others in competitive consumer markets”. Florasolvs® esters join a growing portfolio of The HallStar Company’s organically derived products that deliver functional benefits. The Florasolvs® series brand bolsters the company’s growing line of products for the naturals segment in the personal care ingredient industry-and strengthens their position to serve the burgeoning market for personal care products featuring renewable natural ingredients. This recent acquisition is one in a series The HallStar Company has completed toward expanding its natural functional ingredients portfolio.
www.hallstar.com

TROY INTRODUCES NEW SOLVENT-FREE DEFOAMER FOR HIGH GLOSS AQUEOUS COATINGS
Manufacturers of aqueous high-gloss and wood coatings now have a new solvent-free, high-performance additive that eliminates foam without compromising surface appearance or integrity: Troykyd® D209W from Troy Corporation. Highly compatible Troykyd® D209W offers excellent functionality in a broad range of aqueous systems, including high-gloss and wood coatings, both clear and pigmented, as well as other end-use areas, including spray applied systems. With a solvent-free composition, Troykyd® D209W is an excellent choice for environmentally “green” coatings. “An essential capability of a new generation, high-performance defoaming additive is minimization of surface defects” says Troy’s Dr. Izzy Colon, Vice President, Science & Technology and adds: “While conventional defoamers have a tendency to create cratering and pinholes in end-use systems, Troykyd® D209W leaves systems virtually free of surface defects […] Developed for high quality “green” aqueous coatings, Troykyd® D209W offers formulators significant performance, compatibility, and use advantages” continues Colon.
www.troycorp.com

EASTMAN TO ACQUIRE TAMINCO IN $2.8 BILLION TRANSACTION
Eastman Chemical Company has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Taminco Corporation under which Eastman will acquire Taminco, a global specialty chemical company. Under the terms of the agreement, Taminco stockholders will receive $26.00 in cash for each share of Taminco common stock. The total transaction value is $2.8 billion, including net assumed debt of $1 billion. The acquisition will be funded with available cash and debt financing. “The acquisition of Taminco demonstrates Eastman’s continued commitment to accelerating growth throughout the company and around the globe,” said Mark Costa, chairman and chief executive officer of Eastman. “As a specialty chemical company with consistent earnings growth and leading positions in attractive niche end markets, Taminco is a strong fit with Eastman’s strategic focus. Taminco will add an attractive alkylamines stream to our chemical portfolio”.
www.eastman.com

CLARIANT TO OFFER CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE PALMBASED MATERIALS
Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announced Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Mass Balance supply chain certification for its plant in Gendorf, Germany, in order to meet the increasing demand for sustainable certified palm-based ingredients from customers in the personal care and home care sectors. Gendorf is the first of Clariant’s plants to be RSPO certified and progresses its target to continuously increase the offer of certified palm based products and to have all relevant production sites certified by 2016. “The use of certified renewable raw materials like palm-based oleochemicals in our products and processes is an important element in integrating sustainability into our operations and attaining our goals of sustainability leadership and value creation for our customers” said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO Clariant and continued: “Sustainability and innovation are pillars of Clariant’s business strategy and sustainable raw materials are significant for the development of innovative, future-oriented products”.
www.clariant.com

GLOBAL LAUNCH OF INSQIN^®: GAME CHANGING SOLUTION FOR THE TEXTILE VALUE CHAIN ENABLING BREAKTHROUGH PRODUCT AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATION AS WELL AS ACHIEVEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY ASPIRATIONS
Bayer MaterialScience has announced the launch of INSQIN^®, a novel turnkey solution for a new generation of polyurethane (PU) coated fabrics. The launch marks a new chapter in the footwear and apparel sector, in which Bayer offers brand owners an integrated package of pure waterborne PU technology, material co-development and a certified manufacturer partner program for PU coated fabrics, fostering a new way of value chain collaboration. PU technology is used to enhance and transform many of the fabrics that surround us. Every year, around 7 billion pairs of shoes, 2 billion bags and 1 billion garments are produced with PU leather and other PU coated fabrics. With pure waterborne PU technology and rich application expertise, Bayer MaterialScience inspires brand owners to explore new possibilities in the design and creation of "magical" PU coated fabrics with their INSQIN^® service portfolio. "Today is an exciting and pivotal day for all textile-consuming industries, as we look ahead to an innovative and sustainable way of producing coated fabrics with INSQIN^®. Not only are we now able to join efforts with brand owners to shape a more productive innovation process, we are also contributing to a practical solution that addresses the ongoing battle between sustainability and scalability" said Nicholas Smith, Global Head of Textile Coating at Bayer MaterialScience.
www.materialscience.bayer.com

A&E CONNOCK OFFERS MORE SUPPORT TO PERSONAL CARE INDUSTRY SEEKING NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO MICRO BEADS
A&E Connock has unveiled a series of new initiatives designed to assist cosmetics formulators making the transition from micro beads to natural ingredients in their exfoliant products. The latest range offers an increased variety of functions and possibilities to the formulator, from the light abrasive effect of Ground Loofah to the more aggressive scrub qualities of Pumice. Beads derived from Jojoba and Castor which, whilst white in colour, provide a natural and environmentally sustainable option, are also available in a variety of sizes. “With many manufacturers committing to phase out the use of plastic micro beads over the next few years, we are ideally placed to help formulators identify and integrate suitable natural alternatives” commented Tim Connock, A&E Connock’s MD. A vibrant brochure showcasing the wide variety of characteristics and colours of ingredients available in the range has been sent to over 5000 buyers and R&D personnel across the world and a new natural exfoliants ‘micro website’ where formulators can order free samples online is now live.
www.connock.co.uk

BERG + SCHMIDT FOCUSES ON NATURAL PRODUCT SOLUTIONS
With over 1,500 members, SEPAWA is one of the largest specialist associations in Europe. It includes experts from the detergents, cosmetics and perfume industries. At this year’s congress in Fulda, from 15-17 October, the established company Berg + Schmidt will present its range of raw materials for cosmetics on Stand No. F14. Sales Director Olivier Rouzaut: “SEPAWA strengthens the link between theory and practice. We are looking forward to an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas with our visitors. And our focus is still firmly on natural product solutions”. Berg + Schmidt’s product mix consists of its own developments and specialities such as emollients, emulsifiers, surfactants, stabilizers and viscosity modifiers. The company also offers its customers functional ingredients like fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty-acid esters, lecithin and shea butter. In the field of natural emulsifiers the company will present new lecithin products from the BergaMuls range. With hydrolyzed lysolecithin and hydrogenated lecithin, manufacturers can now choose from a comprehensive range for a diversity of applications. Berg + Schmidt has extended its shea butter range to include the new quality BergaCare SB Organic. In cooperation with its sister company Sternchemie the shea butter has been certified as “Bio/Organic” by ECOCERT Deutschland GmbH (inspection body DE-ÖKO-024). A new addition to the product range is GlyAcid, a high-purity glycolic acid from CrossChem which Berg + Schmidt markets exclusively in Europe. GlyAcid is free of formaldehyde and formic acid, and is available in 70 percent solution and in 99 percent crystalline form.
www.berg-schmidt.de

NATUREX’S PERSONAL CARE BUSINESS UNIT JOINS THE UNION FOR ETHICAL BIOTRADE (UEBT)
The Personal Care Business Unit of Naturex, manufacturer of natural ingredients to the cosmetic industry, has become the newest member of the Union for Ethical BioTrade. Naturex sources raw materials from all over the world and develops innovative ingredients that combine performance with sustainable practices. Becoming a UEBT memberis part of Naturex’s sustainability program launched in September 2013. In continuation with the company’s dedication to sustainable principles and practices, this program drives improvements in ethical and responsible business practices across the entire value chain. “Ethical sourcing is becoming increasingly important in the cosmetics sector. The membership of the Personal Care Business Unit of Naturex reflects the growing relevance of UEBT in the cosmetics sector” says Rik Kutsch Lojenga, UEBT’s Executive Director. As part of UEBT membership, Naturex will continue to implement Ethical BioTrade requirements in the supplier management system of its fast-growing Personal Care Business Unit. Relying on 8 purchasing offices located near strategic sourcing areas, Nature will also further develop its partnership with its suppliers to promote good practices throughout its supply chains, giving initial priority to the most extensive cosmetic ingredient supply chains. Moreover, Naturex’s agronomic department provides technical assistance and promotes, encourages and monitors the implementation of responsible practices by actors involved in the agricultural production chain.
www.naturex.com

ASHLAND DRIVES INNOVATION AND SAFETY AT LABEL EXPO
Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., is showcasing new technologies in digital printing and flexible packaging designed for improved safety, superior performance and enhanced efficiencies at this year's Label Expo in Rosemont, Illinois. Expanding on industry-leading regulatory expertise Ashland shares its Fit-For-Use approach with full transparency to ensure compliance within the market. Ashland is introducing a portfolio of laminating adhesives that further the safety of food in flexible packages while also advocating a global risk-assessment approach. Safecure A320/B440 and Purelam A9500/B9240 laminating adhesives are just one part of a larger company-wide safety and sustainability initiative to lead the flexible packaging industry in adopting Ashland's "Fit-for-Use" risk assessment approach. The adhesives, which are solvent-free and can be cured at room temperature, also help converters reduce overall costs and operate more efficiently. Safecure A320/B440 laminating adhesive provides excellent safety performance from migration for all food types, in combination with fast cure and UV stability. This product can help lower the overall cost of the package because it allows sealant film down-gauging. It is the first solvent-free laminating adhesive on the market which received Food Contact Number 1434 issued by the Food and Drug Administration in July. Purelam A9500/B9240 laminating adhesive has the lowest aromatic amine migration on the market today without sacrificing operator ease of use or lamination performance. This product enables enhanced manufacturing efficiencies via high line speeds (more than 1300 feet per minute with no misting) and fast cure (slit in as few as three hours with full bond development in 24 hours). Purelam A9500/B9240 laminating adhesive is also recommended for use in digitally printed flexible packaging.
www.ashland.com

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CFO TRANSITION
Sensient Technologies Corporation has announced that Dick Hobbs will retire from his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in February 2015 and that he will be succeeded by Stephen Rolfs, Sensient’s current Senior Vice President, Administration. Mr. Hobbs has been Sensient’s Chief Financial Officer since July 2000. He joined the Company in 1973. “Dick has been instrumental to the success of Sensient” said Paul Manning, President and CEO of Sensient. “The Company would not be where it is today without Dick’s financial and strategic leadership. We cannot thank him enough for all he has done”. Stephen Rolfs joined Sensient in 1997. Prior to assuming his current role as Senior Vice President, Administration, Mr. Rolfs was Sensient’s Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. He has also served as Sensient’s Treasurer and its Vice President, Corporate Development. Prior to joining Sensient, he was employed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a beverage and consumer products company, as a financial analyst and as Assistant Vice President. From 1986 to 1991 Mr. Rolfs worked as a CPA for the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago. “Steve brings leadership skills, financial experience, and a deep knowledge of our business to the role” said Paul Manning and adds: “His expertise will be critical in helping the Company deliver value-enhancing growth over the coming years”.
www.sensient-tech.com

BEIERSDORF OPENS NEW PLANT AND INNOVATION CENTRE IN MEXICO
On July 18, 2014, with 700 guests and in the presence of Germany’s foreign minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Beiersdorf opened a state-of-the-art production centre with an integrated research and development centre in Silao, Mexico. The new location makes it possible to significantly increase the development and production capacity for the growing markets of North and Central America. At the same time, with the new building, the Hamburg cosmetics company emphasizes its clear commitment to ecologically responsible activity. With the focus on energy efficiency and resource conservation, the newest findings and environmentally friendly technology were part of the process going back to the planning phase. After an efficient construction time of less than two years, the new plant, strategically located about 350 kilometers northwest of Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato, began operation on time. With a production volume of about 280 million cosmetic products and 45,000 tons of product annually, the new factory is the second largest within the global Beiersdorf production network after Hamburg. The number of employees will increase from today’s 350 to about 600 by the end of the year. The plant in Silao will primarily produce creams, lotions, shower products and lip care from the NIVEA, Eucerin, and Labello brands for sales in Mexico, Central and North America. In order to boost regional innovation, the building complex also has its own innovation centre in which 20 researchers develop products for local consumer needs on-site. “The investment in Mexico is an answer to the increasing demand in the North and Central American regions. Our production capacity and our ability to supply will dramatically improve. Furthermore, the close collaboration with the integrated innovation centre will guarantee that we develop specific products for the Latin American markets and optimally serve regional consumer needs” says Dr. Ulrich Schmidt, board member for finance, supply chain and Latin America at Beiersdorf.
www.beiersdorf.com

FLOWGUARD IS NOW FLOWGUARD PLUS IN INDIA
The Lubrizol CPVC Piping Systems business announces the introduction of its new, advanced FlowGuard™ Plus Pipe & Fittings to the Indian plumbing industry. High performance FlowGuard Plus plumbing pipe and fittings are engineered with Lubrizol's specially formulated chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). Among the advanced features that FlowGuard Plus delivers is a 25 percent higher pressure rating - 8.79 kg/cm2 @ 82°C, the highest of any CPVC pipe available. Currently, FlowGuard Plus is produced by Lubrizol's two Indian manufacturing partners, Arshivad and Astral, from CPVC compounds produced in Europe and the United States. In the future, Lubrizol will provide the CPVC compounds from its new manufacturing facility currently under construction in Dahej, India. The plant is expected to begin compounding operation by mid-2015. "We all know that the FlowGuard Pipe and Fittings team has been consistently and successfully serving the Indian plumbing market for the past 15 years" explained Matthew Timmons, managing director, Lubrizol Advanced Materials India Pvt. Ltd, at a recent FlowGuard Plus launch ceremony in Bangalore. "We have continuously studied the construction industry in India and the growing demand for proven, quality products" continued Timmons. "In response to that demand, we have launched our new FlowGuardPlus Pipe and Fittings in order to better serve market preferences and to create a greater visual differentiation for easier identification thanks to the product's new appearance".
www.lubrizol.com