Evonik Industries in PCHi 2012

Evonik presented a range of innovative technologies to enhance the performance and sensory properties of personal care products at PCHi this year.

During the interview, Ms. Lauren Kjeldsen, Business Director Personal Care Asia, emphasized that Evonik has always been dedicated to developing sustainable products. For instance, the newly launched polyamide particles TEGOLON? ECO 10-10 is pure vegetable based, and is distilled from caster oil. The total CO2 generated in the whole process is less than over 1/3 compared with normal Nylon-12. In regard of how to balance the extra cost from developing sustainable products, Ms. Kjeldsen said, “Evonik has paid great attention to environmental responsibility, but is not at the price of sacrificing product performance.” Like the emollient TEGOSOFT? AC product, which is produced by using an Evonik innovative eco-friendly enzymatic process and it could reduce the impact on environment through using environmental packaging. In this way, we can say that the impact to the environment is as gentle as to the skin.

Regarding the market trend of the personal care products, Ms. Kjeldsen pointed out that products with the function of anti-aging, anti-stress and anti-pollution are getting increasing popularity due to the increase of people’s disposal income and work intensity. For these demands, Evonik brings out HyaCare? Filler CL, which is anti-aging specialties based on Hyaluronic Acid, contributes instantly to the reduction of facial wrinkles and fine lines, as well as increasing the elasticity of the skin. Meanwhile, Evnoik is leveraging DNA chip analysis technology to screen the effects of various active ingredients, and to obtain the most effective product through in-vitro selection.

Regarding the brand differentiation, Ms Kjeldsen suggests that it is better to consider both long-term and short-term effects for a specific product. As important as the long term effect, the sensory property should also be taken into consideration. “Consumers in Asia favor innovative forms of products,” she pointed out, “Take water cream as an example—when this cream-like product is applied to the skin, small droplet will ooze out. It offers new sensory experiment besides moisturizing. 3 layer skincare and makeup removal system is another example. For this kind of product, you can mix it uniformly by shaking, and it will soon separate into 3 layers when it is in still. These visual experiments will add value to the product. ”

Being asked about the different demands of the customers among all the regions, Ms. Kjeldsen thinks that the overall demand of the worldwide customers are much alike, for example anti-aging is a common need around the world. And one more example, BB cream is originated from Korea but is now popular all around the world. Of course in specifically, factors like regional climate difference and culture diversity determine the consumer’s preference will vary one from another.