By Katie Bird , 28-Oct-2009, www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com

Proteins in milk that form part of the cow’s natural protection against milking related infections can be formulated into anti-microbial cosmetics and oral care products, according to manufacturer Quantec.

The New Zealand-based company has been working on the Immune Defence Proteins (IDP) for three years and is now ready to launch the ingredients onto the skin care and supplements market.

Rod Claycomb, managing director of the company, explained how the proteins form part of the cow’s own defence system.

“After milking, cows are quite prone to bacterial infection of the mammary gland called mastitis. This suite of proteins is nature’s own way of helping to protect the cow,” he said.

According to Claycomb, there are applications for the proteins in both human and animal health.

Having worked in both the animal health & human skincare sectors, this sounds to me like an interesting innovation & great breakthrough- with scientific and potentially commercial benefits. What do you think? Read the full article and let us know. Chris Penfold

Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/yz4937q

This is a really interesting insight into the diverse nature of retail outlets across the globe and it’s good to think for a  minute (or three) about the affect that has, not only on the shopping habits of consumers, but also on pack design. All four of the markets mentioned (Brazil, Russia, India & China) work to a totally different supply-model and designers should be aware of this when developing market-specific packs for each of those regions. Even in the same market (e.g. India) there is a huge difference between the requirements for packaging in the huge new department stores sprouting up and the small ‘mom & pop’ stores that exist out in more rural areas. Just think for a moment about the different requirements for each ‘outlet’ in terms of information:

1. The need to read bar codes in some areas and not in others

2. The requirements of self-selection in a department store versus an ‘endorsement’ by ‘mom & pop’ in the smaller stores

3. The greater degree for branding & shelf stand-out required in the bigger stores, where products are ‘fighting’ against  a far bigger range of competing products

4. The more stringent shelving requirements in department stores in terms of  shelf height, ‘facings’ and fit on gondola ends.

To name but a few…. and then there are the different transit & product-protection requirements to get to the store and to be ‘managed’ therin. I.e. The use of an automated (potentially) delivery & stock-handing system in a modern department store to that of  ‘horse & cart’ delivery & manual booking in system to a store in the outer reaches of Goa.

Food for thought – Chris Penfold

Changing retail landscape helps define cosmetics in BRIC markets

The fast-changing retail landscapes in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC markets) are creating new opportunities for cosmetics and personal care players to market products.

Although the retail landscapes are developing in quite different ways in each market, the key to successfully marketing personal care and cosmetics products will be determined by how effective companies are at tapping into these channels.

Speaking at the recent HBA conference program, held in New York City last month, Kline Group’s Carrie Mellage lifted the lid on each of these markets to show how the retail channels are evolving and to describe how companies are taking advantage of this.

By By Simon Pitman, 05-Oct-2009 www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com

You can read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/ydyggt4

Simeon Goldstein, packagingnews.co.uk, 25 September 2009

FMCG giant Unilever has made a binding offer to buy the personal care division of US firm Sara Lee Corporation for EUR 1.275bn.

The Anglo-Dutch firm said today the acquisition would add a “strong stable of brands”, such as Sanex, Radox and Duschdas, to a category that it considers a key driver for growth, particularly in Western Europe and Asia.

Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/y8ctz8k

Printed Electronics World  – 2nd Sept 2009

The nineteenth century saw ubiquitous black and white printing. The twentieth century was one of color printing. However, we are now in the century of printed electronics taking over from that. Nowhere will the impact be more obvious than packaging because the new electronics transforms much more than the human interface. It leverages the usefulness of the product itself and performs other functions such as tracking, tracing and reduction of theft and counterfeiting.

via Printed Electronics World: Brand enhancement by electronics in packaging.

By Simon Pitman, 17-Aug-2009 www.cosmeticsdesign.com

Having bought the Noxzema skin care brand from Procter & Gamble last year, Alberto-Culver is suing over claims that the skin care cream was defective.

Alberto-Culver bought the line from Procter & Gamble in October last year for $81m, and has filed the lawsuit claiming that some of the products in the line had not fulfilled product claims over quality, a Reuters news report claimed.

via Alberto-Culver sues Procter & Gamble over defective skin cream.

Essential oils should be labelled with usage warnings, says trade association

Labeling on undiluted essential oils should include warnings regarding proper usage, according to American Herbal Products Association AHPA.

AHPA’s Board of Trustees has adopted a trade requirement in an attempt to support the safe use and proper indentification of topically applied undiluted essential oils.

via www.cosmeticsdesign.com staff reporter 11th Aug 2009

Read more here Essential oils should be labelled with usage warnings, says trade association.

 Kenneth Hein  www.brandweek.com

Its no secret that sampling programs can get people to try and occasionally purchase products. However, new research suggests that such free giveaways can also help drive long-term sales and increase purchases of other items from the product line.

via In-Store Sampling Boosts Repeat Purchases.

Remember if your in house packaging resource doesn’t have the time available to develop sample packs just give us a call.

By Simon Pitman, 04-Aug-2009   www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com

Although the company’s adhesives business has been battered by the recession, Q2 sales for its personal care operations were buoyed by developing markets

via Personal care holds up for Beiersdorf as adhesives slump.

By Simon Pitman, 31st July 2009  www.cosmeticsdesign.com

L’Oreal says that robust sales in emerging markets helped to boost preliminary results for the company in its most recent quarter.

The company reported sales were down 2.1 percent on a like-for-like basis during the second quarter, to reach €4.40bn, a figure that represented an increase of 2.6 per cent on a reported basis.

via L’Oreal results point to sales recovery in Q2.

that after a difficult decision the WINNER of their Sustainability and Cost Optimisation Competition has been chosen.

4fx Healthcare are the lucky company and we are really excited about working with the 4fx team and getting our “teeth into” their sustainability issues.

Thanks to all of you who entered.  The judges said they had a difficult time deciding who would benifit most from the £3000 worth of free consultancy.

Don’t forget, for those of you not lucky enough to win, Design Cognition could still offer help and support, just give use a call to discuss your company’s unique challenges.