Clariant to offer biodegradable microplastic-free opacifier

New 95% RCI readily-biodegradable alternative to microplastic opacifiers

Clariant, the Swiss multinational speciality chemicals company has announced to offer a natural-derived, readily biodegradable opacifier to support personal care formulators to minimise the impact of shampoos, conditioners, handwashes and other rinse-off shower and bath products on marine and river life.

 

New Plantasens OP 95 is a microplastic-free option which delivers powerful opacifying performance even at low concentrations, for a creamy white appearance with luxurious, caring consumer appeal for shampoos and liquid soaps.

 

Reports say that the push for more ocean-friendly personal care is intensifying beyond packaging, as consumers increasingly demand biodegradable cosmetic ingredients and regulatory initiatives to ban microplastics take shape. Under an EU/EEA legislative proposal, the most traditionally-used opacifiers, which are not biodegradable, are considered as microplastics and will therefore be banned in rinse-off formulations if restrictions take effect as expected in 2022.

 

Hermann Bach, Head of Strategic Marketing and Innovation, Clariant BU Industrial & Consumer Specialties said, “Because rinse-off formulation ingredients will usually end up in waterways and oceans, providing readily biodegradable solutions to this cosmetics sector is an important focus of our product development.”

 

“This 95% natural origin, microplastic-free opacifier extends options for developing more environmentally-compatible Personal Care. By answering formulators’ needs on multiple fronts, it enables an easy switch from water-dispersible acrylate copolymers without compromising on visual appeal,” added Bach.

 

Readily-biodegradable Plantasens OP 95 offers formulators an easy-to-use, sulfate-free drop-in solution for opacifying a wide range of hair and body care applications and for supporting eco-conscious consumer behavior. It claims to aid product manufacturers in addressing trends and extending new claims to their rinse-off formulations.

 

The company boasts it is possible to reach ideal viscosity without adding rheological agents, which means less formulation complexity.