Kuraray showcases skin- and environmentally friendly substances at in‑cosmetics 2024: Kuraray Poval™ and Isopentyldiol

Kuraray‘s ingredients combine skin protection, care and biodegradability

Hattersheim, 18 March 2024 - Kuraray, the global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Japan, will be showcasing the diverse possibilities of two particularly environmentally friendly and skin-friendly cosmetic ingredients at this year's "in-cosmetics Global" in Paris, the leading trade fair for personal care ingredients (16-18 April 2024, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Stand 1R65): the special Kuraray Poval™ LV grades and Isopentyldiol (IPD). Visitors to the Kuraray stand will be able to experience a wide range of finished products made from Kuraray Poval™ LV and IPD, such as a particularly skin-friendly and environmentally friendly peel-off mask. In addition, a Kuraray customer will show samples of innovative hair conditioner sheets and creams – newly developed solid and water-free cosmetics. These anhydrous but water-soluble sheets use Kuraray Poval™ as a film former and IPD for its excellent organoleptic properties.

Kuraray Poval™ LV grades: gentle on the skin, free from microplastics, inherently biodegradable

Kuraray Poval™ is the name of Kuraray's water-soluble polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH). They are particularly suitable for water-based personal care and cosmetic products. Kuraray has developed its Kuraray Poval™ LV (Low Volatile) grades specifically for this purpose. Kuraray achieves the particularly low methanol (MeOH) content of its LV grades of less than 0.3% through a complex process. This makes the polyvinyl alcohols both skin-friendly and environmentally friendly. The Kuraray Poval™ LV grades are not only water-soluble, but also free from microplastics and inherently biodegradable. They are manufactured in a closely monitored and controlled process to ensure a high quality and to meet the requirements of Kuraray’s customers. Kuraray's comprehensive product documentation makes it much easier for users in the cosmetics industry to formulate new products with Kuraray Poval™ LV.

• Existing areas of application for Kuraray Poval™ LV

Kuraray Poval™ LV grades are used in a wide range of cosmetic products: in skin care products such as peel-off masks, in coloured cosmetics in mascara and brow liners and in sun and hair care products such as hair dyes, shampoos, sunscreens and after-sun lotions. The skin-friendly and gentle Kuraray Poval™ LV grades act as film formers, adhesion promoters, emulsifiers, lubricants, viscosity regulators and encapsulants.

Isopentyldiol: the personal care ingredient to expect more with less

Kuraray's multifunctional and biodegradable Isopentyldiol (IPD; 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol) is colourless and odourless and can be combined with many substances. As an instant moisturiser, IPD provides great organoleptic properties from the velvety effect of hair care and conditioning products to a silky skin feel in skin care products. Hair care product manufacturers can benefit from the foam boosting effect of IPD in their shampoos or the hair repair properties in conditioners when combined with Sorbitol. For skin care, the benefits are multiple from hydration to easier spreadability, IPD can improve the texture and take products to a more premium level. As for formulators, IPD is fully water soluble and miscible with most oils making it a great solution provider to solve formulation issues. Indeed, IPD reduces the droplet size in emulsions, improves the dispersion of oxides (such as TiO2 or ZnO) and can help solubilizing lipophilic actives for clear and transparent products. With its very good safety profile and bacteriostatic boosting properties, IPD also improves the compatibility of care products. IPD is one ingredient with multiple benefits for all personal care products.

• Existing areas of application for Isopentyldiol

With Isopentyldiol, hair care products can combine anti-frizz, hair strengthening and repairing effects as well as colour retention. As an ingredient in shampoos and hair care conditioners, IPD prevents hair damage that can otherwise occur during washing. On the scalp, it removes excess sebum without stripping the natural oils that keep hair healthy. IPD also provides immediate hydration in skin care products and gives the skin a unique silky feel. Products made with IPD are easy to apply and quickly absorbed which are relevant properties for other applications such as sunscreens, after-sun and self-tanning lotions, hand and anti-ageing creams and body butters. As for scalp sebum, IPD has good skin sebum and keratin plug cleansing properties which is why it is used in face cleansers and make-up removers. IPD is also very popular in colour cosmetics and primers as it helps the make-up last longer and gives the skin a brilliant radiance. In general, Kuraray's biodegradable Isopentyldiol gives modern hair, skin care and colour cosmetic formulations very pleasant organoleptic properties, with an excellent moisturising effect and optimum shine.

Press Contact:

Carmen Mundt
Manager Corporate Communications
Kuraray Europe GmbH
Philipp-Reis-Straße 4
65795 Hattersheim am Main
Tel.: +49 69 305 85734
E-Mail: Carmen.Mundt@kuraray.com
Internet: www.kuraray.eu

Julia Schreiber
Head of Communication Management
Möller Horcher Kommunikation GmbH
Heubnerstraße 1
09599 Freiberg
+49 3731 2070 915
julia.schreiber@moeller-horcher.de
www.moeller-horcher.de

About Kuraray

Established in 1991, Kuraray Europe GmbH is based in Hattersheim, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In 2022 the company generated annual sales of EUR 1.3 billion. It has more than 830 employees in Germany at its sites in Hattersheim, Frankfurt and Troisdorf. Kuraray is a global speciality chemicals company and one of the largest suppliers of industrial polymers and synthetic microfibres for many sectors of industry. Examples are Kuraray Kuraray Poval™, Mowital®, Trosifol® and Clearfil™. Kuraray Europe also has around 215 employees at six other European sites. They are also working on the development and application of innovative high-performance materials for a wide range of sectors, including the automotive, paper, glass and packaging industries, as well as for architects and dentists.

Kuraray Europe is a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Kuraray Group, which is based in Tokyo, Japan, and has more than 11,700 employees worldwide and sales of EUR 5.5 billion.