Clariant offers sustainability support to India’s emerging markets at Specialty Chemicals Conclave-2012

Clariant Business Heads at FICCI's Second International Conference on Specialty Chemicals
Guidance on regulatory issues and trends reflects Clariant's commitment to support customers' sustainability

Mumbai (India), June 26, 2012 - Clariant urged India’s colorant and personal care industries to improve their business sustainability by considering current trends and preparing for the future, at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce’s (FICCI) recently concluded ‘Specialty Chemicals Conclave 2012’ in Mumbai.

As part of its commitment to support the success and growth of its customers worldwide, the specialty chemicals expert is proactive in identifying active and legislative trends influencing development opportunities and future direction of sectors. At this Conclave, Regional Business Heads from Clariant in India highlighted trends within the Indian Personal Care sector, and environmental issues and regulations, such as the shift in India to stringent adherence of regulations, impacting the colorant market.

In his presentation “Trends in the Indian Personal Care Market”, Dr Alexander Snell, Head of Business Unit Industrial & Consumer Specialties, Clariant Chemicals (India) Ltd emphasized the stability of the Personal Care market despite economic crisis, and India’s position as one of the countries with the highest global growth rates for personal care.

Dr Snell identified the key trends impacting India’s Personal Care market:

Bio-based products find high traction (safety aspect)
Higher value-added brands grow faster (e.g. The Body Shop)
The younger generation has a wider appeal/preference with quality global brands
Slow change from old formats (bars, oils, talcum powder) to more modern formats (liquid soap, hand sanitizer, 2-in-1 shampoos, deodorants)
Men’s Grooming takes off (creams, deodorants)

Clariant is responding to these trends with its new bio-based product line, Velsan™, which not only meets requirements for bio-based products but also offers additional value such as skin repair, and exceptional moisturizing and hair repair qualities.

For the colorant sector, Dr. Dileep Wakankar, Head of Product Stewardship India – Clariant Chemicals (India) Ltd., delivered a lecture on “Pigments – Regulatory issues”. In addition to indicating the importance of colorants in everyday life, Dr Wakankar covered the environmental implications associated with selected colorants, and gave global illustrations of regulations affecting food contact and packaging inks. He briefed the audience about European, American and Chinese regulations and outlined differentiation with India’s current restrictions.

“It is only a matter of time until similar regulations and restrictions will be enforced in India in the interest of human health and environmental safety. To ensure sustained business the country’s colorant industry needs to prepare itself for compliance with such regulations,” commented Dr Wakankar.

The Specialty Chemicals Conclave-2012 titled “The Rise of India in the Global Specialty Chemicals Industry” was organized by FICCI and the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Government of India.