SOLVAY
Biodegradable polymers for hair, skin care / Materials based on guar beans can replace microplastics
 The quar beans for the materials are partially sourced through the company’s initiative in Rajasthan, India (Photo: Solvay) |
The Jaguar line of biodegradable polymers for beauty products now includes thickening and conditioning materials, according to chemical giant Solvay (Brussels; www.solvay.com), and the company told Plasteurope.com that the resins can be substituted for microplastics in certain applications.
The materials, first introduced at the end of 2021, are designed to allow beauty brands to address regulations and consumer expectations for more responsible and sustainable beauty products, the company said.
“Until recently, the availability of biodegradable functional polymers in the market has been limited,” said Jean-Guy Le-Helloco, Solvay’s vice-president for home and personal care. “Our biodegradable Jaguar ingredients offer formulators a range of sustainable game changers to create a wider choice of responsible hair and skin care products.”
The materials, first introduced at the end of 2021, are designed to allow beauty brands to address regulations and consumer expectations for more responsible and sustainable beauty products, the company said.
“Until recently, the availability of biodegradable functional polymers in the market has been limited,” said Jean-Guy Le-Helloco, Solvay’s vice-president for home and personal care. “Our biodegradable Jaguar ingredients offer formulators a range of sustainable game changers to create a wider choice of responsible hair and skin care products.”
Growing concerns about microplastics
The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP, Nairobi; www.unep.org) says many beauty products such as exfoliants and shampoos contain microplastics – particles under 5 mm – or microbeads, which are less than 1 mm in size. “Microplastics in personal care products can go effortlessly down the drain as you wash. Because they are so small, wastewater filtration cannot treat them, and they can easily enter rivers and seas.”
Consumer awareness about microplastics in beauty products has been on the rise, and the tiny particles were recently found in human blood for the first time (see Plasteurope.com of 08.04.2022).
Solvay told Plasteurope.com that its Jaguar line of resins can replace microplastics in beauty products when relevant from a functionality perspective, citing examples in rheology – especially for thickening – encapsulation, and film-forming.
The resin maker noted that the guar beans used to produce the materials are a natural and renewable resource and are partially sourced through the company’s sustainable guar initiative in Rajasthan, India. “The programme is designed to implement best farming practices, conserve groundwater, improve local quality of life, and empower women farmers while securing high-quality guar supplies.”
Consumer awareness about microplastics in beauty products has been on the rise, and the tiny particles were recently found in human blood for the first time (see Plasteurope.com of 08.04.2022).
Solvay told Plasteurope.com that its Jaguar line of resins can replace microplastics in beauty products when relevant from a functionality perspective, citing examples in rheology – especially for thickening – encapsulation, and film-forming.
The resin maker noted that the guar beans used to produce the materials are a natural and renewable resource and are partially sourced through the company’s sustainable guar initiative in Rajasthan, India. “The programme is designed to implement best farming practices, conserve groundwater, improve local quality of life, and empower women farmers while securing high-quality guar supplies.”
21.04.2022 Plasteurope.com [250097-0]
Published on 21.04.2022