US polymer use in personal care hits $15m - study

31 March 2008 21:29  [Source: ICIS news]

NEW YORK (ICIS news)--US consumption of carbomers, acrylate copolymers and acrylate C10-C30 crosspolymers in hair- and skin-care products reached 1.8m lbs (816 tonnes) last year and was valued at $15m (€9.5m), a consulting firm reported on Monday.

“The largest usage of polyacrylic-acid-type polymers is carbomers used in hair care,” said Andrew Eldib, president of Eldib Engineering & Research, based in New Jersey.

“The amount of carbomers used in shampoos is about twice that used in styling gels, while comparatively very limited amounts are used in conditioners and skin care," he said.

The use of polymers in personal care are still low and could lead to further marketing opportunities, Eldib said.

“Although these ingredients are often suggested for use as thickeners or control agents in personal-care products, their consumption is still sparse in commercial formulations,” Eldib said.

In skin care, the actual gains of polymers might be smaller, although sales have substantially increased due to the cost/lb of formulated skin-care products, according to the report.

“The price/lb for the specialty products are sometimes significantly higher than that of mass-marketed products,” Eldib said.

“For example, newer moisturizers and skin creams sell for $1,000–3,000, whereas mass-marketed brands may sell for even under $100/lb,” he said.

The study included mass-market styling gels, shampoos and conditioners in the hair-care sector. Skin-care usage included sunscreens, facial, hand and body products.

($1 = €0.63)

By: Doris de Guzman
+1 713 525 2653

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