Univar Solutions partners with Calumet for versatile cosmetic ingredients in Brazil

Univar Solutions Brazil has expanded its Ingredients + Specialties portfolio with Calumet Refining’s Versagel ingredients. Univar Solutions thereby becomes the ingredients’ sole distributor in Brazil.

The specialty chemicals and ingredient distributor expects Versagel ingredients to strengthen its position in Brazil’s beauty market, which is ranked fifth worldwide.

Versagel is a patented technology that thickens and gels ingredients, and claims to boost the quality and performance of cosmetics.

It forms a lightweight film barrier that locks in hydration and is available in different viscosities to suit various formulas. The line also claims to improve fragrance retention and water resistance.

“Strengthening our collaboration with Univar Solutions will help us deliver cutting-edge solutions like the Versagel specialty product line to a larger customer base in Brazil,” says Eduardo Ortega, director of global sales in the LATAM region at Calumet.

Ortega expects the collaboration to enhance Calumet’s agility and market response, and allow its customers to innovate faster according to consumer trends.

“We’re excited to team up with Calumet to bring the Versagel line to our customers in Brazil,” adds James Peterson, global vice president of Care for Univar Solutions. 

“[Versagel] represents a significant step forward in the innovation and quality of cosmetic and personal care formulations. These ingredients strengthen our beauty and personal care portfolio in Brazil and empower our customers to elevate their products with some of the most advanced solutions.”

Last week, Univar Solutions Brazil announced that it had entered into an exclusive agreement with Best Value Chem to distribute its high-performance UV filters in the region. The move is expected to help drive the growth of the sun care industry in Brazil.

The subsidiary also announced earlier this year that it will be the sole distributor of cosmetic ingredients from Phenbiox in Brazil. The Italian manufacturer of natural and active ingredients said its partnership with Univar will boost it into “one of the world’s largest cosmetic markets” while offering sustainable personal care solutions. 

The versatile ingredient range boasts hydration, fragrance retention, and water resistance claims.Beauty and bureaucracy 

Brazil’s regulatory landscape is pivoting to keep up with the increased attention the country is getting as a “dynamic and fast-moving market,” according to Peterson.

Recently, in an effort to boost the country’s beauty market, Brazil introduced a legislation aimed to simplify the production and marketing of hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumes manufactured by small producers — particularly individual entrepreneurs.

Personal Care Insights previously reported on a federal agency in Brazil, which is working to close the gap between the country’s cosmetics regulations and those of the EU to support increased public safety.

Moreover, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies recently approved a landmark law banning the sale of imported cosmetics tested on animals. The law expands on a previous mandate that condemned the sale of cosmetics tested on animals in Brazil.