At the beginning of 2024, several press reports highlighted the detection of the substance mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) in urine samples from children and adults. These tests were conducted by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the State Office for Nature, Environment, and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV) as part of a study.

The reason for these findings could be di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP), a substance that was previously widely used as a plasticizer in plastics. However, this substance can also appear as a by-product in sunscreen products. The Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office in Karlsruhe (CVUA) found concentrations of 0.3 to 16 ppm in various sunscreen products. The source appears to be the UV filter DHHB, which has been increasingly used in recent years to replace other UV filters that are now banned. DnHexP may be present as an unwanted by-product.

In its statement of March 21, 2024 (017/2024 "MnHexP in Urine Samples: Health Risk Assessment"), the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) concluded that the concentrations found "pose no cause for concern" from a health perspective. It is essential that consumers are not unsettled by these findings and continue using sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful UV radiation.

 

How is FRIKE handling this issue?

FRIKE also uses the UV filter DHHB in sunscreen products. Since the by-product DnHexP is prohibited in cosmetics, even as an impurity, only unavoidable traces are allowed. This means that extra care must be taken during the production of the DHHB UV filter.

FRIKE's quality policy is to source only high-quality raw materials with minimal by-products. External analyses of customer products have shown that the sunscreens manufactured by us contain only extremely low levels of DnHexP – so low that they are nearly at the detection limit. Thanks to our high-quality standards, FRIKE was able to support customers contacted by authorities with reliable data in a monitoring campaign.

If you have any questions on this topic, please contact your FRIKE representative.

Visit us at the SEPAWA Congress, October 16-18, 2024, Estrel Congress hotel, Berlin

Soon, the most important gathering for the detergents, cleaning products, cosmetics, and perfumery industries will begin again, and as always, we will be there with our booth.

Visit us in Hall C, Booth No. 483 & 484, and let's discuss future projects.

We look forward to seeing you.

The FRIKE Cosmetic Team

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Trends and innovations

Lively hustle and bustle in the aisles, lively discussions, and exciting presentations: on 5 and 6 June 2024, numerous decision-makers from the cosmetics industry and their suppliers gathered at CosmeticBusiness 2024 at the MOC Munich to exchange ideas about trends, innovations and new projects. At the international supplier fair for the cosmetics industry, 418 exhibitors from 23 countries presented their latest products and solutions in the fields of ingredients, manufacturing and packaging. The extensive specialist programme in the INNOVATION CORNER with top-class speakers such as Alicia Lindner from BÖRLIND and Birgit Huber from IKW was very well received.

In the DACH region, Cosmetic Business is the most important trade fair for packaging materials and therefore also for contract manufacturers. More raw material suppliers are also exhibiting, but interest is rather low. Our stand in Hall 3 had a very good location and was literally overrun in places. According to Ronnie Heusser, Sales Manager at FRIKE Cosmetic, we had never made so many new contacts at a Cosmetic Business as we did this year.

And what else is there to report about the trade fair?

Sustainability remains the hot topic in the packaging sector. This year, exhibitors will primarily be showing how they are using mono-material solutions to further facilitate recycling and thus recyclability. The fact that recycled materials can be used more and more effectively in the form of PCR will also be demonstrated at the exhibition using various examples.

Eight corners and less weight

Albéa has expanded its EcoTop family. The combined cap-head system is now complemented by the octagonal OctoTop. L'Occitane already uses them for its hand cream tubes, as they correspond to the brand's traditional design. According to the manufacturer, OctoTop has reduced the weight by 21 per cent compared to the previous solution. It also reduces the CO2 footprint. The new solution is made from PE and is suitable for recycling in the HDPE stream.

How plastics become granite and silver

The German masterbatch supplier Lifocolor is presenting two new colour effects from its portfolio. The masterbatches for granite effect create an authentic stone look on PE, PP, ABS, PMMA and TPE. They are available in various shades and fulfil the EU and FDA requirements for food contact, according to the company. They can be used for injection moulding and extrusion processes at up to 280 degrees Celsius. With its new silver and metallic masterbatches, Lifocolor aims above all to enable the recycling-orientated design of cosmetics packaging. The silver colours should be able to be correctly identified in the sorting system using near-infrared (NIR) and fed into the recycling process.

Next generation PCR tubes

Linhardt describes itself as a pioneer in the use of PCR plastics in tubes. This year, the company is presenting its NextGen PCR Plastic Tube. It is the first tube made from HD and LLD PCR. It is made from a mixture of rigid and flexible PE, which consists of 100 per cent cosmetic-grade PreFin PCR. According to the manufacturer, this has a high degree of purity and comes from a safe, controlled supply chain. The tubes can be customised using screen and digital printing as well as 360° foiling.

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Contract filling of aerosols as foams, sprays and gels

We use bag-on-valve technology for contract filling in various areas of application. Compared to conventional aerosol technologies, bag-on-valve offers a longer shelf life, optimum spraying capabilities, complete emptying of the can, hygienic cleanliness thanks to separate areas for propellant gas and product, and the use of environmentally friendly gases.

• Filling quantities from 15 liters to 50 tons, and from small test markets and sample filling to fully automated large-scale production.
• Filling volumes: We fill cans made of aluminum, PCR aluminum, tinplate or, on request, glass with quantities of 10 ml to 1000 ml.
• We use various gases: Propane, butane, trimethyl ether, high-density substances, air, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
• Several fully automatic filling systems are available for filling aerosol cans as foams, sprays or gels at high speeds of up to 80 units per minute.
• Measurements are carried out by volume and by weight.
• Affixing data to the container: We can also label RFID chips on the line for storing data sheets, product information, etc. (competition to QR code)
• Various sealing methods: Cans can be sealed using various methods, including induction, heat or simply by pressing on sealing film.
• Automatic labeling in various shapes: rounded, on the front and back or all the way around.

Your Swiss contract manufacturer with expertise in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals

The FRIKE GROUP is the largest independent contract manufacturer in Switzerland and produces private label products and branded products for national and international customers. As a full-service partner of expertise, our core competencies lie in the development of innovative and sustainable products, their manufacture and bulk production, filling, packaging and regulatory services.

From sourcing to shipping and everything in between: As a contract manufacturer, we offer you a complete service. Each of our five locations has its own development laboratory, so we can guarantee high Swiss-made productivity and comprehensive expertise. Customers in all our sectors – cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals – benefit from rapid technology transfer. Let’s work together to make your product ideas a reality.

Ronnie Heusser, Head of Sales Business Unit Care
«Looking for advice or a quote? I’m your point of contact, from the initial idea to the finished product.»
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