production technology it realized withOleon, but also supplies the chemicalcatalysts that are key enablers for theadvanced bio-PG production process.

Original Source: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen,Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website:http://www.basf.com (28 Jun 2012) © BASF 2012

SURFACTANTSAshland receives Ringier TechnologyInnovation Award in China

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, acommercial unit of Ashland Inc, hasreceived the Ringier TechnologyInnovation Award for coatings for itsStrodex FT428 surfactant forwaterborne architectural coatings andemulsion polymerization. It’s thesecond consecutive year in whichAshland has received this award. TheRingier Award recognizes thosecompanies which have madesignificant contributions to advancingChina’s coatings industry throughtechnical innovation, increasedproductivity, economic efficiency, andmarket development. Strodex FT428surfactant, which was developed in2012, aims to improve freeze-thawstability of paints. The product doesnot include alkylphenol ethoxylates(APEO) and can eliminate volatileorganic compounds (VOCs). With thisspecial surfactant, the paint producercan lower or eliminate the glycolcontent in formulations, making thepaints more environmentally friendly.

Original Source: Ashland Inc, 50 East RiverCenterBoulevard, PO Box 391, Covington, KY 41012-0391,USA, tel: +1 (859) 815-3333, website:http://www.ashland.com (18 Jun 2012) © Ashland2012

ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS

Industrial biotechnology witnesses11.2% growth

The Indian industrial biotechnologysector recorded 11.2% revenuegrowth in 2011-2012, with total salesof Rup 6970 M. This growth isattributed to an increase in enzymesconsumption, due to demand from thefood, pharmaceutical, detergent, andenergy sectors. Multinational

companies contributed around 65% ofthe market and local companies’share was about 35%. For 2011-2012, consumption of enzymes inIndia was valued at Rup 5270 M, andexports of enzymes valued at Rup1700 M. The Indian enzymes sectorrecorded about 11.47% growth duringthe 2002-2012 period. For 2012-2013, estimated growth is 11.17%.The Indian industrial enzymes marketis at different stages of growth,ranging from penetration to productdevelopment. The pharmaceuticalenzymes segment is just blossoming,and some very specializedmanufacturers are focusing on thissegment. On the other hand, thetextile and leather enzyme segmentsare mature. The detergent enzymessegment is in the growth stage.

Original Source: BioSpectrum (Asia edition), Jun2012, 10 (6), 128 (Website:http://www.biospectrumasia.com) © BioSpectrum2012

European Community funds Dyadic todevelop enzymes

Dyadic International’s research anddevelopment centre in theNetherlands has secured €400,000from the European Community underthe Seventh Framework Programmeto develop enzymes as part of theBio-Mimetic Project. Dyadic willdevelop enzymes using its patentedand proprietary C1 platformtechnology to degrade and modifylignin into adhesives, detergents, andcosmetics. The project, entitled ‘NewBio-Inspired Processes and Productsfrom Renewable Feedstock’, will beinitially for three years. Procter &Gamble Technical Centres (P&G UK)will be project coordinator of the Bio-Mimetic Project Consortium.

Original Source: PBR Pharmaceutical BusinessReview, 3 Jul 2012, (Website:http://www.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/) © PBR 2012

APPLICATIONS

Personal care

AkzoNobel forms alliance with CornProducts

AkzoNobel Global Personal Care andCorn Products International/National

Starch have forged an alliance, underwhich AkzoNobel will distribute CornProducts’ range of functional modifiedstarches for hair care and skin careuses. The agreement includes Dry-Flo (speciality starches), Structure(starch rheology modifiers), Naviance(organic biopolymers), and Natrasorb(starches). Bar soap and dustingpowders are not included in the deal.

Original Source: SPC, Soap, Perfumery andCosmetics, Jun 2012, 85 (6), 7 (Website:http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/) © HPCi MediaLtd 2012

Household products

Nanodiamonds cut through dirt tobring back bling to low-temperaturelaundry

Nanodiamonds, pieces of carbon lessthan ten-thousandths the diameter ofa human hair, have been found tohelp loosen crystallized fat fromsurfaces in a project led by researchchemists at the University of Warwickthat transforms the ability of washingpowders to shift dirt in eco-friendlylow temperature laundry cycles.These new findings tackle a problemthat forces consumers to wash someof their laundry at between 60 and90°C more than 80 times a year.Even with modern biological washingpowders, some fats and dirt cannotbe removed at the lower temperaturesmany prefer to use for their weeklywash. A desire to reduce thesignificant energy burden of regularhigh temperature washes, and tounderstand the behaviour of thesenew materials, brought University ofWarwick scientists and colleagues atAston University together in a projectfunded by the UK Engineering andPhysical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC) and P&G plc. This ColdWater Cleaning Initiative funded agroup of chemists, physicists, andengineers led by Dr Andrew Marsh inthe University of Warwick’sDepartment of Chemistry to explorehow new forms of carbon might worktogether with detergents in everydayhousehold products. Dr AndrewMarsh said: “We found that the 5 nmdiamonds changed the waydetergents behaved at 25°C, doublingthe amount of fat removed whenusing one particular commercialdetergent molecule. Even attemperatures as low as 15°C,

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F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S