Recently, Doug Raymond of Raymond Regulatory Resources (3R), LLC, representing the National Aerosol Association (NAA) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), and Nicholas Georges, Senior VP, Scientific & International Affairs, Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA), have been having meetings with California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff regarding CARB’s next rulemaking. This includes discussion on the next CARB survey, the potential use of photochemical reactivity to satisfy CARB’s obligation under the State Implementation Plan (SIP), and how CARB will likely target product categories for future reductions.
An online industry meeting to provide an update on these discussions is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 1pm–2pm EDT.
Please email ngeorges@thehcpa.org for further information and meeting access codes.
Markus Strobel, President of Procter & Gamble‘s Skin & Personal Care divisions, will retire from the company effective August 1.
In connection with Strobel’s retirement, P&G has made two changes to its leadership structure in the personal care and skin care categories, which will take effect on July 1. Freddy Bharucha has been promoted to President, P&G Personal Care, and will lead the company’s global personal care portfolio, including the Old Spice and Secret brands.
Additionally, Sue Kyung Lee has been appointed President, P&G Skin Care, and will oversee the global skin care business, including SK-II and Olay.
On Wednesday, April 17, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) will host its 2024 Innovation Day at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK.
Sponsored by contract filler and manufacturer, JagoPRO, the event is free to attend for BAMA members and non-members and will feature a comprehensive program of expert industry speakers and exhibitors.
BAMA Chief Executive, Patrick Heskins explained, “The very nature of innovation means no two Innovation Day events are ever the same. This year, visitors can expect a variety of new aerosol technologies, designs, processes and discussion points brought to the fore by our knowledgeable speakers. As an interactive event, the Innovation Day has also proven to be a valuable platform for networking and exchanging ideas.”
Promoting a variety of supply chain innovations across the aerosol industry, the speaker program includes a wide range of presentation topics. Collectively, presenters will explore and provide insights on the future trends and possible directions for aerosol dispensers, new developments within aerosol inspection solutions, and quality and process control systems for the metal packaging industry.
New technological advances driving the capabilities of plastic aerosols, the history of the aerosol format and the importance of developing a clear innovation strategy are also key themes on the event schedule.
Sustainability will again be a key focus area with a talk on an innovative new propellant-free dispensing technology, sustainable innovation within the personal care market and the reduced CO₂ footprint and added functionality of next generation of aerosol cans. The recyclability and benefits of the plug-in can/valve system will be explored, and the subject of how low carbon steel aerosol cans can contribute to reducing CO₂ footprint will also feature in the speaker program.
Members of the audience will be invited to put their questions to the presenters following each conference session in the Exhibition Hall. Visitors will also be able to view samples and prototypes, and observe demonstrations from Innovation Day exhibitors and other companies on the day.
Since it debuted in 2017, the BAMA Innovation Day has become one of the most anticipated events on the aerosol industry calendar. To attend, pre-register HERE
For more information on the 2024 BAMA Innovation Day, please contact Sally Tilbury: sallytilbury@bama.co.uk
In 2023, French total production of aerosol dispensers reached 657.91 million units, according to the Comité Français des Aérosols (French Aerosol Committee or CFA). This is an increase of 1.3% over the 649.78 million units filled in 2022. However, totals by category varied greatly.
On average, there were 11 aerosol products used per person in France in 2023. The top three uses included:
Results are based on declared data from both CFA members and non-members. Production and filling statistics published since 2017 do not include inhalers, as they are not considered aerosol dispensers per EU ADD 75/324, said CFA.
Personal Care
The Personal Care category grew by 11.1%; there were a total of 497 million units filled in 2023, accounting for 76% of total production.
The Antiperspirant/Deodorant segment grew 25% and accounted for 21% of French aerosol filling. CFA noted that the launch of new brands and the extended summer heat may explain this phenomenon. Promotional activities may also have had an impact on demand.
Hair Care products (excluding Dry Shampoo) grew 13%. After declining in 2022, this segment returned to a higher level in 2023; at 24%, it accounts for the largest share of total production in France.
Shaving Foams & Gels saw a 22% increase in production. This segment has returned to pre-COVID-19 crisis levels, said CFA, and represented 8% of French production activity in 2023.
The Sun Care/Water Spray/Dry Shampoo/Other Body Care segment declined 3.8%. It had grown by 30% in 2022. In 2023, the decline of almost 4% takes it to a level that is still well above 2019 production levels. Inflation’s impact on purchasing power may explain the decline in this product segment, which is highly versatile and quickly affected by external phenomena such as fashion or weather. At 23%, this segment still represented a significant percentage of 2023 French aerosol production.
Household Care
The Household Care category grew 8%, with fillings totaling 76 million units, representing 12% of total aerosol production in 2023.
There was a strong increase in the Air Freshener segment (34.5%). CFA attributes the growth to consumers’ need to purify their homes, as well as places open to the public. Promotional activity has undoubtedly also had an impact on demand, further explaining the growth in this segment, which accounts for 5% of total fillings in France.
The Insecticide/Horticultural (Plant Protection) segment suffered in 2023. There was a 55% drop in production, representing almost 15 million fewer units filled. The CFA believes the weather is still having a major impact (mosquitoes, hornets, etc.), but above all, biocide regulations in France are making it more complicated to place these types of products on the market. This segment represents 2% of total activity.
The Other segment (Textile/Carpet, Furniture Polish, Oven Cleaner, Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner, Leather/Shoe Care and Other Household Products) saw an increase of 66%. In 2020, this segment saw strong growth due to demand for cleaning and disinfecting products. This new growth trend, with 2023 the highest production year yet, representing more than 11 million units, reflects the need for effective products for a wide variety of specific aerosol applications. Other accounts for 4% of total aerosol production.
Miscellaneous
The Miscellaneous category had a total volume of 84 million units, a decrease of 35% from 2022. This category represents 13% of total aerosol production in France. The segments that comprise the Miscellaneous category did not experience consistent changes, said CFA.
The Pharmaceutical/Veterinary segment saw a decline of 4.5%. It represented 4% of total aerosol production in 2023. The decline in this segment seems to be explained by a reduction in ailments or illnesses, or by inflation, which has driven consumers towards other forms of product, noted CFA.
By contrast, the Automotive/Cycle, Paint /Varnish & Industrial/Technical segment is down sharply (-43.5%). This segment, which represents 8% of total activity, was impacted by a shortage of raw materials that prevented production from keeping pace with market demand. However, the CFA’s statistics commission questioned this drop, which could also be explained by a wrong segment allocation by some fillers. The need for these specific products remains constant and the practicality and efficiency of aerosols as a form of packaging contribute to their attractiveness.
“We hope that the supply chain impact will be limited in 2024,” said CFA.
The Food/Other segment was down by more than half (-51.2%). This segment, which had remained stable in 2022, saw a significant drop in production in 2023. This is relative, given the low volume, but the percentage impact is substantial. This segment represents less than 0.5% of the total production.
Recycling
The French recycle 79% of all aerosol products every year; visit recyclage.cfa-aerosol.com to learn how to recycle aerosol products in France.
2024 insights
The CFA believes that supply chain disruptions will have repercussions in 2024. Supply delays, raw material cost increases and the impact of inflation on purchasing power will also affect the year’s activity. However, as in 2023, not all segments will be impacted in the same way.
The Midwest Society of Cosmetic Chemists (Midwest SCC) Teamworks 2024 event is underway at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL
The next edition will be March 31, 2026, at the same venue. More info: MidwestSCC.org
APEAL, the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging, has announced the appointment of Metka Cavka Luciani as its new Head of EU Affairs, effective March 11.
Bringing 15 years of professional experience, Luciani joins APEAL from her position as Account Director of Sustainability at Weber Shandwick, where she provided strategic counsel to brands and trade bodies in navigating sustainability challenges across various sectors, with a particular focus on the food and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries.
Prior to that, Luciani spent several years at the heart of European policymaking as Head of Office for a member of the European Parliament, spanning diverse policy areas such as energy and climate, EU funding, agriculture, and chemicals. She has extensive knowledge of environmental sustainability practices in packaging from her role as Public Affairs Manager at CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries.
“Steel for packaging already boasts impressive sustainability credentials. I am eager to draw upon my varied experiences in sustainability and the FMCG sector to shape policy and influence stakeholder perceptions, showcasing the invaluable contribution steel packaging offers to Europe’s circular economy goals,” she said.
Steve Claus, Secretary General of APEAL, warmly welcomed Luciani’s appointment. “As discussions surrounding the PPWR draw to a close and attention shifts to secondary legislation, Metka’s profound understanding of the packaging landscape and her insights into the Food and FMCG sectors will be invaluable in positioning steel packaging in these critical debates,” he said.
“We are looking forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to our team,” he added
In her role, she will lead and manage resources for the association’s policy advocacy campaigns.
Luciani holds a master’s degree in European Political & Administrative Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. Fluent in English, French, Italian, Slovenian and Croatian, she is well-equipped to engage with stakeholders across linguistic and cultural boundaries and help advance the interests of the steel packaging industry on the European stage, noted APEAL.
The Comité Français des Aerosols (French Aerosol Association or CFA) has announced that two new member companies have joined the organization—Ambrosol and Orapi—bringing the total of CFA members to 57.
“Fifty-seven expert companies and professional organizations are working together to make our aerosol industry even more efficient, innovative and anticipating the future together in order to provide consumers with simple, effective, cheap solutions and communicate even more on the fact that once used, their aerosols are recyclable and recycled,” noted Jean Blottiere, CFA Délégue Général.
Volker Backs, Head of Public Affairs, Energy, Trade & Managing Director of Speira GmbH, is the new Chairman of the Aluminium Deutschland (AD) aluminum semi-finished products trade association. He was elected at the general meeting of the aluminum semi-finished products trade association in Düsseldorf, Germany. Backs succeeds Frank Busenbecker, Director DACH Strategy at Hydro Extrusion Europe, who chaired the association from 2018 to 2024.
Martin Knötgen, General Partner & CEO of OTTO FUCHS KG, was also elected as deputy.
“I would like to thank you for your trust and look forward to the upcoming tasks in the professional association. My express thanks also go to my predecessor, Frank Busenbecker, for his many years of commitment,” said Backs.
“The aluminum semi-finished products industry is making an important contribution to the transformation,” he added.
“Europe needs us and will become Greener with us. Climate protection only works with a strong industry. That is why we continue to advocate for competitive framework conditions, against unfair competition, and for a policy that integrates climate protection and industrial value creation.”
Busenbecker shared, “Together we have overcome challenges, taken innovative paths and advanced the value of aluminum as a material and its industry. This path is not yet complete. There is still a lot to do.”
“We need an economic policy Agenda 2030—an agenda that creates trust and planning security and helps the industrial location to gain new strength, “Busenbecker said.
The general meeting took place during a challenging time for Industry. The year 2023 was marked by significant declines, both in the rolled products segment and for extrusion presses, but the outlook for 2024 is cautious, said AD.
The prospects for the material remain positive, but companies in Germany are under great demand. A survey among 50 member companies revealed complaints about high energy costs, heavy bureaucracy and unfair competitive conditions.
Spring cleaning is a top priority for more U.S. consumers than ever, according to new consumer data released by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). The survey found that 80% of U.S. consumers plan to Spring clean this year, which is a more than a 10% increase from just three years ago.
What are the most dreaded Spring cleaning tasks?
While not everyone may enjoy their cleaning chores, it is better than some other seasonal activities.
“According to ACI’s 2024 National Cleaning Survey, 80% of [U.S. consumers] would rather Spring clean than fill out their tax forms,” said Brian Sansoni, ACI Senior VP of Communications & Outreach.
“Spring cleaning is a great way to help achieve a safe and healthy home while getting rid of a winter’s worth of dust and clutter.”
For many U.S. consumers who engage in the annual ritual of Spring cleaning, it’s a marathon rather than a sprint. Forty-five percent say it takes three or more days to Spring clean (23% 3-4 days, 22% 5 days or more), but this shows that U.S. consumers are prepared to deep clean to create a healthy and safe environment for themselves and their families.
With Spring cleaning coming into full bloom—and National Cleaning Week right around the corner (March 24–30)—ACI is promoting the ACI’s new TikTok channel and its online cleaning resources:
For more cleaning advice and guidance visit www.cleaninginstitute.org or follow @CleaningInstitute on TikTok.
The Midwest Chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (MWSCC) main event, TEAMWORKS, announced that Chris Kanik, CEO &Founder of Smart Cups, will deliver a Keynote Address on “The Fight for Progress: Smart Cups’ Willy Wonka-Inspired Innovation Saga.“
Taking place on Tuesday, March 19, TEAMWORKS is a one-day conference and trade show for beauty, personal care and household ingredients, formulations, delivery innovations and product development at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Kanik will enlighten attendees on how he invented sustainability-driven technology providing healthier and delicious beverage options and how this same technology can apply to creating more sustainable consumables including personal care poduicts and cosmetics. Smart Cups employs an approach of printing water-based products directly onto surfaces, aiming to advance sustainability and reduce waste in consumable products, termed active ingredient printing.
At age 10, Kanik took his first chemistry class and at 14, he’d joined a research team at Rutgers University. By 16, he was fully enrolled in college courses as an American Chemical Scholar. After a few twists and turns, including returning to finish out his high school studies and conceptualizing the core of a NASA-funded Rutgers project, Kanik ultimately launched Smart Cups.
“Smart Cups Technology is a patented delivery system based on proprietary printing technology which allows the printing of ingredients on any surface,” explained Kanik.
“With the ability to print mouthwash, beverages, laundry detergent, nutrients and more on the walls of a container, Smart Cups Technology eliminates the need to ship liquid from the manufacturer to the consumer offering a mindful path forward for all industries,” he added.
Following the Keynote will be the “Pure Imagination” Technical Symposium with sessions that include “Patent Protection Strategies for Cosmetics;” “Precision Fermentation Turns Pure Imagination into Reality with Innovative Skin-Identical Collagen;” “Unleash Formulators Imagination with Digital Solution powered by A.I. and Push the Boundaries of Cosmetic Product Development;” “Elevating Cosmetics and Eco-Home Solutions through Sustainable Innovation: Unlocking the Potential of Upcycled Coffee Extracts:” and “Swirl Technology: Turning an Industry on Its Cans”.
The Technical Symposium will end with a motivating presentation on “Ignite Imagine by Leveraging Emotional Intelligence (EQ),” delivered by Ellen Feldman Ornato, Partner, Bolder Co.
TEAMWORKS 2024 will also feature an expo floor with more then 150 Leading manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of raw materials, ingredients and more. A Presentation Theater during expo hours will feature select exhibitors and address technical issues and the innovations/solutions that will assist in all aspects of formulation. Student Posters will also be on display during the expo hours.
“We are excited to have Chris Kanik deliver the Keynote at TEAMWORKS and provide inspiring and actionable information on how we all can tap into our imaginations and become more creative and innovative. This year’s TEAMWORKS will provide the Midwest region with unmatched education, networking and industry opportunities,” said Amanda Rountree, Chair, TEAMWORKS, Midwest Chapter SCC.
The popular social night event, that is a key component to attendees’ overall TEAMWORKS experience, will take place that night at Joe’s Live in nearby Bub City. Registration for TEAMWORKS 2024 and ticket sales for the social event can be found here: https://teamworks-mainevent.com/. For exhibiting and sponsoring opportunities, contact teamworks@midwestscc.org.