Merck KGaA and Sachtleben Chemie GmbH will expand their strategic alliance for mineral UV filters, which was established in 1995. Merck and Sachtleben co-develop inorganic UV filters based on microfine titanium dioxide. Merck is responsible for the cosmetic application technology, customer service and marketing, Sachtleben for production. The customized UV filters are needed worldwide for producing sophisticated cosmetics.
The cooperation between Merck and Sachtleben, so far covering Merck’s product range of Eusolex T UV filters, is now being extended to include the UV-Titan products from Sachtleben’s site in Finland. Starting April 1, 2011, Merck will gradually take over the support of the international cosmetics manufacturers; the process should be complete within one year. An exception to this is the UV-Titan business with dispersion manufacturers and powder refiners in the UV filter market, who will continue to be directly supplied by Sachtleben.
Cosmetic manufacturers use the UV filters of the Eusolex T and UV-Titan range in a diversity of products, from classical sunscreen products such as sun lotion and children’s sun cream, to many daily skin care products and color cosmetics. The cooperation partners Merck and Sachtleben use their expertise in applying individual inorganic or organic coatings to the particles so that they can be optimally used in a variety of customer formulations to achieve a highly efficient broad-spectrum UV protection.
Reiner Mertscheit, Head of the Pharma, Cosmetic, Food business field at Sachtleben, looks forward to the extended cooperation: “By intensifying our long-standing, successful alliance we have the opportunity to develop further innovations and have created the prerequisite for sound business growth with broad-spectrum UV filters. Secure supplies of energy and raw materials together with the high quality standards at our European production facilities are the basis for these positive future developments.”
Dr. Matthias Lergenmüller, Head of the Cosmetics business field at Merck, says, “Our reliable cooperation with Sachtleben over many years has proven its worth in enabling us to bundle our expertise and build synergies in the area of mineral UV filters. Our customers also benefit from this, as they can procure a variety of innovative raw materials for sunscreen and skin care products from a single source. In addition, this gives them access to the excellent regulatory and application technology service for which Merck is known.”
