list and off-list prices for Pamolyn 100FGK, 100, 125, 300, 327B, 347 haveincreased by US$0.04/lb ($0.088/kg)for products supplied in 410 lb drumsand by $0.03/lb ($0.066/kg) for bulkshipments. Pamolyn 125, 100 and itskosher equivalent 100 FGK are oleicacid products used as emulsifiers orsurfactants in cosmetic or personalcare products; Pamolyn 347 is ablend of oleic and conjugated linoleicacids. Pamak 1, 2, 4A, 4, 25A tall oilfatty acids are also subject to global listand off-list price increases of $0.03/lbfor 410 lb drums and $0.02/lb for bulkshipments. These products findapplications as emulsifiers, soaps andflotation reagents.

Press release from: Eastman Chemical Company,Kingsport, TN, USA. Tel: +1 423 229 6636. Website:http://www.eastman.com (9 May 2005)

New silicone products from GE forfoam and personal care applications

GE Advanced Materials is launchingnew NIAX silicone L-650 surfactant,which offers a further 10-30%reduction by weight of flame-retardantuse in slabstock polyurethane foamapplications, compared to earlierproducts in the industry. In addition,new NIAX silicone L-650 can beapplied in conventional foammanufacturing processes, as well asthose that use carbon dioxide as anauxiliary blowing agent. NIAX siliconeL-650 may be an excellent candidatefor use in flame retardant grades offoam for furniture, bedding andautomotive products, to reduce theamount of flame retardant required topass small-scale tests like CaliforniaTechnical Bulletin 117 and MVSS-302.In addition to its outstanding flameretardant improvement, this qualitymay also translate into reducedmaterial costs for manufacturers whouse GE’s NIAX silicone L-650. Thenew surfactant is said to provideexcellent froth formation and stabilityas required in CO2 processes to helpmake soft and low-density foamgrades. It also delivers wide processinglatitude, very fine cell structure in CO2processes, and a very broad graderange latitude.

GE Advanced Materials has alsolaunched four new silicone-basedproducts that help offer enhancedperformance and greater versatility topersonal care formulations. Silsoft

Tone (AB)n terpolymer is amultifunctional hair conditioning agentthat can be added to shampoos andleave-on hair conditioners. Itenhances shine by promotingalignment of hair fibres, and helpsdeliver excellent colour retention, plusan added degree of protection to hairtreated with high-temperature stylingdevices such as flat ceramic irons.Silsoft A-553 material is a 100%active (AB)n terpolymer designed todeliver premium conditioning benefitsto hair. In addition to providingoutstanding wet- and dry-combingperformance, this proprietary materialminimizes fly-away, and gives hair aunique soft, silky after-feel. It issoluble in surfactant matricescommonly used in shampoos, andcan be used for both clear andopaque products. SilShine 151silicone resin is a multi-functional,film-forming material that can be usedin sun care, colour cosmetics and haircare products. Its helps delivervisually perceptible, durable highgloss to lips and hair, boosts SPFperformance, provides emolliencyand may increase the compatibility oforganic sunscreens (particularlyoxybenzone and avobenzone) in aformulation. It also offers anti-whitening performance forantiperspirant formulations, and itsphenyl functionality helps deliverexcellent compatibility with bothorganic emollients and siliconematerials. Finally, GE’s SF 1540emulsifier is a water-in-oil product withhigh actives content (40%), whichhelps to provide formulators with moreroom in the oil phase for pigments,sunscreens, actives, emollients andother ingredients critical for cosmeticsand ultra-high SPF lotions. A memberof the polyether-modified siliconecopolymer family, this emulsifier alsooffers the opportunity for stabilization ofsensitive, hydrolytically unstableingredients in a skin cream. It alsoprovides high internal phase emulsionstability, cold processability and anexcellent feel on the skin.

Press release from: GE Advanced Materials, Pittsfield,MS, USA. Website:http://www.geadvancedmaterials.com (15 Apr 2005 &9 May 2005)

Huntsman surfactant prices rise

The rising cost of energy and rawmaterials combined with the tight

market has forced Huntsman’sPerformance Products division toincrease the price of certainsurfactants from 1 May 2005. Theprice of Surfonic N series surfactantshas been increased by 3 cts/lb. Theoff-list price of the Surfonic L seriesand the DA series of alcoholethoxylates has also been increasedby 3 cts/lb. Dinonyl phenol priceshave risen by 10 cts/lb and the off-listprice of the Surfonic TDA series ofalcohol ethoxylates has beenincreased by 5 cts/lb.

Chemical Week, 11 May 2005, 167 (16) (Website:http://www.chemweek.com)

Tri-Tex introduces alkanolamidereplacement

Tri-Tex Co launches Tritexaine OC,an effective amphoteric surfactantthat can substitute typical formulationuses of alkanolamides specificallywith diethanolamine. The liquid, whichis clear yellow, is claimed to be water-soluble and is easy to incorporate,offering superior viscosity buildingproperties and enhancingconditioning, foaming and mildness inpersonal care products. The productis compatible with anionic, nonionicand cationic surfactants. Lowtemperature blending is allowedbecause of its low cloud point.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry,May 2005, 42 (5), 142-143

Further US concerns about possiblePFOA exposure

A nationwide campaign has beenlaunched by the United Steelworkersof America to determine whether itsmembers are being exposed toperfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) andwhether this is causing any healthproblems. The particular focus of thesurvey is Zonyl, the PFOA fromDuPont [see also Focus onSurfactants, Jun 2003]. The EPA listsPFOA as a possible carcinogen andthere are links between exposure toPFOA and developmentalimpairment. The surfactant is used inpaper coating to give stain resistance.Food packaging is one of the uses ofsuch PFOA-treated paper. Becausecoatings are often premixed awayfrom the facilities where they areapplied, workers may not be awarethat the products they are handling

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