Page 21 - HPIC-Magazine (Feb-2021)

News from Abroad

SURFACTANTS
Elkem acquires new plant in France for making

specialised silicones

Norway-based silicones and metals offering of advanced silicone solu-
firm, Elkem, has agreed to acquire tions, ranging from commodities to
a new plant near Lyon in France, specialities. We have recently com-
custom-designed for producing plemented our portfolio of specialities
highly specialised organo-functional with the acquisitions of Polysil and
silicones (OFS). The company said Basel Chemie. The acquisition of this
it paid a “low double-digit million new OFS plant provides the techno-
euro” amount for the plant, which logy and capacity to further accele-
will see production begin by the end rate our growth, particularly within
of the year. the formulator both water-soluble release coatings, personal care and
and oil-soluble materials. other speciality markets. It is a good
OFS combine the superior per- “This new plant will enable us example of how we position for the
formance of silicones with the func- to more quickly extend our offerings future, in a complex market environ-
tionality, compatibility and potential within advanced high value products ment,” explained Mr. Frederic Jac-
reactivity of organic materials. The for attractive speciality markets, fur- quin, SVP Elkem Silicones.
processing is advanced and gives ther strengthening our position as
OFS products with highly specialised one of the world’s leaders in fully The OFS plant is located near
properties. Elkem Silicones’ existing activities
integrated silicone manufacturing,”
said Mr. Michael Koenig, CEO of south of Lyon, including both the up-
For the personal care sector, silicone Elkem. stream plant in Roussillon as well as
compounds that have been organo- the production site and R&D centre in
functionalised can be made to offer “Elkem already has a broad global Saint-Fons.

FRENCH ACQUISITION
Givaudan acquires AI capabilities to support

development of fragrances

Swiss fragrances and flavours amplified and this helps consumers
maker, Givaudan, is acquiring France- to select a fragranced product in store
based Myrissi as part of its long-term or via e-commerce channels that has
strategy to expand its capabilities in a higher chance to be liked.
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The terms
of the deal were not disclosed. Mr. Maurizio Volpi, President
Givaudan Fragrance & Beauty said
Myrissi has developed a patented Myrissi’s expertise in AI will help
AI technology capable of translating unique consumer-centric approach Givaudan to develop new visual and
fragrances into colour patterns and allows Myrissi to support the develop- verbal storytelling approaches to its
images, relevant to the consumer ment of fragrances that fully echoes consumers. “This is particularly im-
as well as predicting the end consu- customers’ marketing briefs. The portant in a time when e-commerce
mer’s emotional response. emotional impact of a product is en- is booming. Our mission will be to
hanced by avoiding the cognitive dis- support our customers to evoke the
The link between colours, emo- sonances that appear when sensory smell of their products in the most
tions, and fragrances was modelled messages are not perfectly consis- inspiring way, helping consumers to
on the basis of a database of more tent. The uniqueness of the product choose the product that best fits their
than 25,000 consumer tests. This and the brand identity are therefore preferences,” he explained.
Home, Personal & Institutional Care India February 2021 21