Beyond The Headlines: Solvay x Enowa’s world-first carbon-neutral soda ash facility, FDA’s Cosmetics Direct

22 Dec 2023 --- This week, chemical provider Solvay and Enowa powered up to build a carbon-neutral soda ash facility by 2030. The US FDA launched its Cosmetics Direct portal and a final registration guideline, while China-based Hi!Papa completed a Series A+ funding round led by global investment firm L Catterton.

Business news
Solvay and Enowa joined forces to establish the world’s first carbon-neutral soda ash production facility in Neom, Saudi Arabia. It is positioned as a global benchmark for circularity and carbon neutrality. The plant, set to operate by 2030, will convert seawater brine into soda ash using the e.Solvay process for sustainable and carbon-neutral soda ash production. Strategically located on the Red Sea coast, it aims for a 500,000 metric ton soda ash capacity by 2030, increasing to 1.5 million tons by 2035. The venture aligns with Neom’s commitment to sustainability and Solvay’s global delivery of carbon-neutral soda ash.

Solvay also spun-off its specialty activities into Syensqo. Solvay says it’s a strategic shift toward decarbonization and social responsibility. The company set financial targets for 2028, aligning with sustainability commitments, including carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 20% reduction in emissions along the value chain by 2030. Solvay and Syensqo now trade separately in Brussels and Paris.

California-based clean beauty brand, Iris&Romeo, expanded into Sephora through a Series A partnership with True Beauty Ventures. Recognized for its “innovative skin care-makeup hybrids” since 2019, Iris&Romeo focuses on minimalist beauty with multi-functional hero products. Available at Sephora fromDecember 26, the brand’s “hero essentials” include the Weekend Skin SPF 50 and the cult-favorite Best Skin Days. The companies hope the funding will enhance Iris&Romeo’s retail operations with supply chain efficiency, content development and strategic hires.

Hi!Papa, an expanding personal care brand for 3- to 12-year-old children in China, concluded a Series A+ funding round led by L Catterton. Positioned to thrive in China’s burgeoning personal care for kids market, Hi!Papa said it capitalized on the sector’s 12% annual growth, reaching an estimated RMB 52 billion (US$7.3 billion) by 2026. The company’s customer-centric approach and product range, including sunscreens, face cleansers and creams have helped it become a top seller on platforms like Douyin and Tmall. After doubling revenue and profits this year, Hi!Papa sees further success by leveraging L Catterton’s support for brand expansion, product diversification and distribution network enhancement.Solvay achieves milestones with the spin-off of its Specialty activities into Syensqo.

MoCRA updates
The US FDA introduced the Cosmetics Direct electronic portal for streamlined registration and listing of cosmetic facilities and products, as mandated by the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). The portal simplifies FDA Structured Product Labeling submissions, offering user-friendly data entry forms. To ensure industry compliance, the FDA has delayed enforcement of cosmetic facility registration and product listing requirements for an additional six months, extending the deadline to July 1, 2024, with paper forms also in development as an alternative submission tool.

The FDA also released a final guidance addressing cosmetic product facility registrations and product listings. The guidance outlines responsibilities, submission details, and exemptions and introduces Cosmetics Direct. Exemptions for small businesses are specified, with additional draft guidance for comments on frequently asked questions. Notably, exemptions do not apply to specific cosmetic products, emphasizing safety measures.

Lastly, the FDA provided information regarding enforcing severe adverse event reporting under MoCRA, effective December 29, 2023. Responsible persons, including manufacturers, packers or distributors, must report adverse cosmetic product-related events within 15 business days. The FDA outlined specific criteria for serious adverse events and emphasizes the need for comprehensive reporting, including labels and supporting information.

Launches and releases
Perfect Corp. unveiled its latest Global Trend Report, “The Power of Generative AI in Beauty and Fashion.” Drawing insights from its YouCam app suite, the report is said to underscore the transformative role of Gen AI in shaping immersive beauty and fashion experiences. It delves into the global impact of Gen AI trends, emphasizing the surge in interest in casual fashion, the popularity of 90s-inspired hairstyles and consumers expressing creativity through fantasy digital avatars. Perfect Corp. believesGen AI will enhance virtual try-on experiences and personalization in beauty and fashion.KilgourMD’s anti-aging scalp care system.

New York-based skin care brand KilgourMD, founded by Stanford dermatologist Dr. James Kilgour, has a new anti-aging scalp care system, with a preventive approach to tackling hair thinning concerns. The two-step patent-pending system comprises The Prevention Serum and The Treatment Serum, targeting oxidative stress and stimulating hair follicle growth. Formulated with naturally derived ingredients, the products are suitable for all hair types. KilgourMD emphasizes simplicity and transformation for optimal scalp health and hair growth and follows dermatological testing and cruelty-free standards.

Campaigns
Cetaphil announced the “You and Cetaphil at New York Fashion Week” campaign, offering consumers a chance to experience the event. Participants created social media content showcasing their skin care routines using Cetaphil products. The winner, selected by presenter Sabrina Sato and the brand, enjoys 48 hours of exclusive experiences at New York Fashion Week. General Manager Ligia Santos emphasizes the opportunity, promoting skin care and fashion while providing an exclusive experience. 

Dove announced its return to the Big Game after 18 years with a 30-second TV commercial during football’s premier event. The ad harkens to its 2006 message, focusing on promoting body confidence in girls to encourage their continued participation in sports. Dove is a self-esteem education provider and co-commissioned research revealing that 45% of teenage girls globally drop out of sports due to low body confidence. Partnering with Nike, Dove introduced “Body Confident Sport,” a set of coaching tools designed to build body confidence in 11- to 17-year-old girls. The initiative aims to counteract negative body talk in sports and foster an inclusive environment.

By Venya Patel