According to Cognis, Cosmetic Rheologies has expertise in polymer research and manufacture as well as in formulation development, and provides rheology modifiers and conditioning agents.
Polymers are often used in cosmetic and personal care to change their consistency in an effort to improve the texture and skin feel of the product.
An important aspect of any product, a desireable consistency is essential to the success of a range of products, a quality that proves particularly essential for skin care ranges.
Cognis says it purchased 100 per cent of the shares in Cosmetic Rheologies (CRL), which is headquartered in Manchester, UK, and has subsidiaries in the US and France.
Currently its main customers operate in the personal and home care industry, mostly in the skin, hair, sun care as well as in the industrial and institutional sectors.
Within the industry the company has a reputation for its broad know-how and promising polymer development pipeline and is a supplier to a number of leading personal care players on a worldwide basis.
Ultragel 300, for example, a novel cationic polymer for rheology control in hair and skin care preparations, is popular as a thickener in clear formulations as well as a variety of creams and lotions.
Richard Ridinger, Group Vice President Cognis Care Chemicals, says that the expertise of CRL will support Cognis' position as a supplier to the cosmetics industry:
" Besides active ingredients, functional polymers will become one of the key drivers for innovation in hair and skin care," he said.
"In fact, they are the preferred choice for satisfying the challenging demands of tomorrow's fashions. Through Cosmetic Rheologies we gain expertise in the field of rheology modifiers and conditioning agents."