compound. Similar products do notperform efficiently with high alkalineliquids such as waterborne cuttingoils, alkaline cleaning agents,surfactants and materials used in pulpmanufacture.

Japan Chemical Week, 12 Jul 2007, 48 (2424), 2

APPLICATIONSHousehold &personal care

New launches from Reckitt Benckiserin 2H 2007

Reckitt Benckiser plc has announceda number of new product launches for2H 2007. For fabric treatment, thecompany is launching Vanish OxiAction Magnet, an in-wash stainremover and sachet that also trapsgrime and colour runs. In surfacecare, Cillit Bang Grease & Floorsdilutable all-purpose cleaner is beinglaunched, and will be available in twofragrances, Fresh Force and CitrusForce. Harpic Odorstop Max andLysol Deep Reach toilet cleaningproducts are also being launched. Forautomatic dishwashing, Finish/Calgonit is rolling out Turbo Dry, anew drying agent, for superior dryingand shiny dishes straight from thedishwasher. In the health & personalcare sector, Dettol has launchedDettol Herbal bar soap and showergel, with Aloe Vera and Botanicalextracts to help nourish the skin.

Press release from: Reckitt Benckiser plc, 103-105Bath Road, Slough, SL1 3UH, UK. Tel: +44 1753217800. Fax: +44 1753 217899. Website:http://www.reckittbenckiser.com (25 Jul 2007)

Unilever to sell N American washingproducts business

Unilever is selling its washingproducts business in N Americathough at the moment it is not in talkswith potential purchasers. Washingproducts such as All and Wiskgenerate a turnover of €800 M/y in NAmerica, equivalent to around 2% ofUnilever’s total sales. At presentUnilever has a 13% share of the NAmerican market and Procter andGamble 57% and over the last 3-4years Unilever’s turnover has notincreased. Although Unilever would

prefer to sell, it is open to the possibilityof a joint venture [see also p 7].

Het Financieele Dagblad, 3 Aug 2007, (Website:http://www.fd.nl/) (in Dutch)

BioQuest Technologies announcescleaning products partnership withIndusco

Antimicrobial specialist BioQuestTechnologies Inc has partnered withspeciality chemical and cleaningproducts firm Indusco Ltd to produceand market more than 200 cleanersand degreasers. The products will betargeted to the home and businesscleaning supply industry as well asthe auto care industry, among others.BioShield 75, introduced in 2005, hasbeen utilized in the medical,hospitality, health club and athleticsindustries because of its provenmicrobiostatic effectiveness anddurability. ProShield, the concentratedversion, provides antimicrobialprotection to textiles such as jerseys,socks and towels for up to 50 washeswithout a decrease in effectivenesswith just one application.

Press release from: Bioquest Technology Inc, 801Maplewood Dr, Suite 6, Jupiter, FL 33456, USA. Tel:+1 561 747 5758. Fax: +1 561 747 5191. Website:http://www.bioshield75.com (25 Jul 2007)

New Purex laundry detergent with all-natural cleaning ingredients

Henkel company Dial Corp islaunching a new line of natural liquidlaundry detergents, Purex NaturalElements. Purex Natural Elementsprovides uncompromising cleaningperformance with 100% naturallyderived cleaning ingredients in a line ofnaturally scented laundry products, thecompany says. The new product line ishypoallergenic and free fromphosphates and dyes, while continuingto deliver quality performance at anaffordable price, says Dial. Indeveloping the new line featuringnatural fragrance extracts, Purexanticipated upcoming fragrance trendsto give consumers a laundry productthat is pleasing to smell. Purex NaturalElements features a biodegradable,non-toxic detergent formula housed inrecyclable packaging. It will beavailable from Aug 2007.

Press release from: The Dial Corp, 15101, NorthScottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, USA.Website: http://www.dialcorp.com (21 Aug 2007)

China prohibits DEG in toothpasteproduction

On 11 Jul 2007, the ‘Circular forProhibiting Use of Diethylene Glycol(DEG) as a Raw Material inToothpaste Production’ was publishedin China by the GeneralAdministration of Quality Supervision,Inspection and Quarantine. The useof DEG in toothpastes is banned from11 Jul 2007, as is the external tradingof toothpastes containing DEG.

In related news, some 900,000Chinese-made toothpastes containingpotentially hazardous DEG havebeen disseminated to more places inthe USA than previously thought[Focus on Surfactants, Aug 2007].The tainted toothpastes weredistributed to mental hospitals,prisons, juvenile detention centresand several hospitals. These productsreportedly reached Georgia, Floridaand North and South Carolina.

China Chemical Reporter, 26 Jul 2007, 18 (21), 5 &HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul2007, 44 (7), 16

Health

Nycomed negotiating licensing ofrecombinant surfactant treatment

Nycomed has 3 promising products inits research and development pipelineincluding Venticute, a recombinantsurfactant. Venticute is undergoingfast-track registration in both the USand the EU as a treatment forpatients with severe acute pneumoniaand for aspiration of stomachcontents. Phase III clinical trials arecurrently being carried out in Europe,N America and elsewhere in theworld. Nycomed points out thatspeciality drugs, designed to treatconditions that only affect a smallnumber of patients, are importantbecause they do not require heavyinvestment in marketing. Nycomed isto sell development and marketinglicenses to Venticute in Japan.

Pharma Japan, 6 Aug 2007, (2052), 2

PATENTSColgate Palmolive patents fabric carecomposition

Colgate Palmolive has been awardedPatent No US 7,211,556 B2 for a

4 OCTOBER 2007

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S