Amerchol Introduces New Line of Conditioning Polymers for Body Wash Systems

Piscataway, NJ - April 07, 2005

Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, has announced a new family of four high viscosity quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) conditioning polymers for body wash systems. SoftCAT^TM SK polymers (Proposed INCI Name: Polyquaternium-67) incorporate variations in charge level and hydrophobic modification which give them conditioning performance that is superior to conventional cationic polymers such as polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-7, and cationic guar.

Laboratory evaluations have shown the SoftCAT SK polymers give far more efficient deposition of beneficial ingredients such as emollient oils, sunscreen actives, and fragrances. While adding hydrophobic character can cause conditioning polymers to depress foam in surfactant systems, testing has shown the new polymers may actually offer foam performance superior to conventional conditioning polymers. Additionally, crystal clear formulations can be achieved when using these polymers.

The new polymers will be marketed under the trademark SoftCAT SK Conditioning Polymers and are offered in four grades with varying degrees of charge level and hydrophobic modification. Viscosities of 1% solutions range between 1,800 and 3,400 cPs.

According to Denise Elias, Global Marketing Manager, "SoftCAT SK polymers were developed to help formulators increase multi-dimensional and "therapeutic" performance in personal care systems. There is a growing trend toward such multi-functional products that are designed to meet the needs of aging populations worldwide."

"For example, consumers are looking for body wash formulations that also deliver more fragrance, lasting emolliency or that incorporate UV blockers. Formulating objectives have become more demanding, necessitating improvements over conventional skin conditioning polymers. Our objective quantitative laboratory and subjective panel evaluations of SoftCAT SK polymers show they more efficiently deposit functional ingredients like emollients, UV blockers, and fragrances while not interfering with other formulation performance objectives. We're excited about the new formulation possibilities that SoftCAT SK polymers are opening."

About Amerchol
Amerchol Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of performance chemicals for use in personal care applications, primarily conditioners, moisturizers, emollients, and thickeners. These products are sold to end-use producers as ingredients in consumer skin and hair care products. Amerchol is known for its dedicated service to the industry and its functional product line. The company's line consists of a broad range of products, several of which are produced in two manufacturing facilities - Greensburg, LA and Xiaolan, China. Amerchol also markets and sells many other specialty products for Dow in the personal care industry. For further information, visit www.amerchol.com.

About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

For Editorial Information:

Jennifer Sigsworth
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-1113

Chris Beaudoin
Alexander Marketing Services, Inc.
(616) 957-2000


	Amerchol Introduces New Line of Conditioning Polymers for Body Wash Systems Piscataway, NJ - April 07, 2005 Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, has announced a new family of four high viscosity quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) conditioning polymers for body wash systems. SoftCAT^TM SK polymers (Proposed INCI Name: Polyquaternium-67) incorporate variations in charge level and hydrophobic modification which give them conditioning performance that is superior to conventional cationic polymers such as polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-7, and cationic guar. Laboratory evaluations have shown the SoftCAT SK polymers give far more efficient deposition of beneficial ingredients such as emollient oils, sunscreen actives, and fragrances. While adding hydrophobic character can cause conditioning polymers to depress foam in surfactant systems, testing has shown the new polymers may actually offer foam performance superior to conventional conditioning polymers. Additionally, crystal clear formulations can be achieved when using these polymers. The new polymers will be marketed under the trademark SoftCAT SK Conditioning Polymers and are offered in four grades with varying degrees of charge level and hydrophobic modification. Viscosities of 1% solutions range between 1,800 and 3,400 cPs. According to Denise Elias, Global Marketing Manager, "SoftCAT SK polymers were developed to help formulators increase multi-dimensional and "therapeutic" performance in personal care systems. There is a growing trend toward such multi-functional products that are designed to meet the needs of aging populations worldwide." "For example, consumers are looking for body wash formulations that also deliver more fragrance, lasting emolliency or that incorporate UV blockers. Formulating objectives have become more demanding, necessitating improvements over conventional skin conditioning polymers. Our objective quantitative laboratory and subjective panel evaluations of SoftCAT SK polymers show they more efficiently deposit functional ingredients like emollients, UV blockers, and fragrances while not interfering with other formulation performance objectives. We're excited about the new formulation possibilities that SoftCAT SK polymers are opening." About Amerchol Amerchol Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of performance chemicals for use in personal care applications, primarily conditioners, moisturizers, emollients, and thickeners. These products are sold to end-use producers as ingredients in consumer skin and hair care products. Amerchol is known for its dedicated service to the industry and its functional product line. The company's line consists of a broad range of products, several of which are produced in two manufacturing facilities - Greensburg, LA and Xiaolan, China. Amerchol also markets and sells many other specialty products for Dow in the personal care industry. For further information, visit www.amerchol.com. About The Dow Chemical Company Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. For Editorial Information: Jennifer Sigsworth The Dow Chemical Company (989) 636-1113 Chris Beaudoin Alexander Marketing Services, Inc. (616) 957-2000
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