Weekly Roundup: Maison Francis Kurkdjian initiative protects ambergris-producing whales, Aptar Beauty acquires iD Scent

10 Mar 2023 --- This week in personal care news, Maison Francis Kurkdjian of LVMH partnered with Longitude 181 to promote the study and protection of sperm whales, a vulnerable species and a natural source of ambergris. Symrise launched multifunctional and biodegradable ingredients for home care and Aptar Beauty acquired fragrance paper provider iD Scent.

Business news
Aptar Beauty acquired iD Scent, an expert in paper fragrance sampling solutions. iD Scent is expected to strengthen and expand Aptar’s portfolio of fragrance sampling solutions with a 100% paper-based product. The company also brings fragrance encapsulation for paper and proprietary manufacturing processes and assets.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian collaborated with the non-profit Longitude 181 to help protect vulnerable sperm whales in the Mediterranean Sea from potential poaching. Ambergris, a naturally occurring byproduct of sperm whale digestive tracts, has beenMingyu of Seventeen.used in fragrance for centuries. When expelled, it transforms under the effects of ocean salt, UV rays and air. Once collected, it can be sold for upwards of a million US dollars. But due to its rarity, it has been replaced by synthetic molecules.

Launches and releases
Symrise launched a new collection of multifunctional and biodegradable ingredients for household care products. The multifunctional ingredients are said to improve cleaning performance and product aesthetics, while enhancing formula protection. They can be used in laundry, dishwashing and surface care detergents. Symrise says its ingredients meet the changing regulatory requirements while also supporting sustainability. 

Innisfree launched The New Isle campaign video, signaling its brand’s transformation. At the same time, the Korean skincare brand welcomed artist Mingyu from K-pop band Seventeen as its new global model, who appeared in the campaign alongside Jang Wonyoung – also from the same band.

Tereos debuted FOSbeauty, a prebiotic ingredient that targets the skin microbiota to encourage beneficial bacteria and keep the harmful ones at bay. The product is composed of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS), which have been proven to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis. It can be applied to skin cream, sunscreen, shampoo and other cosmetic products. Tereos scFOS are derived from French-grown sugar beet.

Firmenich introduced Orange NextGen replacers and extenders – the natural alternative to FTNF (From The Named Fruit) orange oils. The company achieved identical orange flavors at significant economic benefits. It flags that the global orange oil market has been under severe pressure and volatility due to crop shortages, poor fruit quality, climate-related challenges and transportation instability.

Biovate Hygienics launched plastic-free paper bottles for commercial cleaning products. The company committed over £100,000 (US$120,200) to its “Zero Compromise” range that features 500 ml ultra concentrates of floor and wall degreasers and washroom and multi-purpose cleaners. It also uses naturally derived bacteria, enzymes and plant-based actives for their primary cleaning power. Biovate Hygienics plans to submit the range to organic certification organization, Ecocert, to be classified as natural eco detergents. Biovate Hygienics’ plastic-free paper bottles.

Social outreach
On International Women’s Day this week, The Estée Lauder Companies celebrated six young women and the non-governmental organization partners who stand behind them. They are supported through The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation and connect young women worldwide with the education, life and leadership skills to break down systemic barriers, grow as leaders, and make change for themselves and their communities. 

Celebrating the same occassion, Coty announced a two-year partnership between Max Factor UK and UNICEF to support Skills4Girls. The program will provide young girls with the tools and resources to reach their full potential. The UNICEF project aims to unlock the potential of 11.5 million girls in more than 30 countries by providing training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, digital technologies, social entrepreneurship and life skills.

Awards and recognitions
LOréal was ranked as the number one recipient of Equileap’s 2023 Gender Equality Ranking in France. Globally, the company ranks at 11 among 3,500 companies in 23 countries. At the company’s business, women represent 50% of Board Members, 32% of Executive Committee members, 57% of all key positions and 61% of international brand directors.

The Clorox Company was featured in the top five of Barron’s 2023 100 Most Sustainable Companies list. Clorox was selected for its continued efforts around sustainability, diversity and transparency. The company is noted to surpass its science-based target to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, with a longer-term goal to achieve net-zero emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050. Brands falling under the company include Brita, Burt’s Bees, Clorox, Fresh Step, Glad and Hidden Valley. 

By Venya Patel