AAK, the Sweden-based personal care lipids specialist, held the two day event to examine these two areas with respect to the behaviour of shea butters and other tropical butters, an area of expertise for the company.
Headed up by the company’s technical director, Jari Alander, and held at the company’s Academy in Karlshamn over a two day period, the seminar started off with the crystallisation behaviour of shea butters, then moved into the rheology are by looking at the link between solubility, product consistency and skin feel.
Avoiding expensive formulation mistakes
In particular, this seminar, which is the second of its kind, looked at how expensive formulation mistakes can be avoided through better knowledge of what to mix, what not to mix and in what quantities.
Alander also stressed the importance of focusing on interactions, rather than the behaviour of individual ingredients.
As with the previous seminar, Alander also continued to encourage participants to challenge him during the presentations in an effort to better understand how the crystallisation and rheology processes can be applied.
Understanding both the crystallisation and rheology processes
“Our other AAK Academy courses are aimed at newly hired staff or people with limited background in our area,” said Alander.
“Our goal with this advanced seminar was to reach more senior staff and people with deeper knowledge and experience.”
AAK is planning on repeating the event at its Academy and says it is tailored to a range of formulation experts, as well as emulsion technologists, analysis departments, process engineers, skin care and colour cosmetic chemists.
“It’s something we definitely want to build on. We may add or change some content, but it will be at the same advanced level intended for more experienced individuals,” said Alander.