Organic Processing Vo1.6 #6 - November/December 2009

released several new functional ingredients that are NOP-certified.

Earth Supplied Products has been one of the companies driving the development in personal care. It recently launched several firsts in the industry including three primary emulsifiers, two preservative alternatives and an organic surfactant—all NOP O-95 certified.

Emulsifiers are needed to bring water and oil together in many types of products, but until recently most organic emulsifiers were either on the low end (around 4) or the high end (around 16) of the Hydrophile Lipophile Balance (HLB) scale, leading to products that lacked body. ESP’s new SafeEmuls line has HLB ratings that are in the middle (around 8), which can help create the feeling consumers have come to expect in personal care products. SafeEmuls are all primary emulsifiers and work well with rice bran and soy lecithin as secondary emulsifiers.

In addition, ESP has created a SafeGuard line, which offers an organic antimicrobial alternative to preservatives usually used in personal care such as parabens, formaldehyde, quats and others. By combining a blend of synergistic, non-preservative hurdles, these products disrupt microbial homeostasis, preventing microorganisms from multiplying and causing them to remain inactive or die.

Lastly, ESP has developed SafeSurf organic surfactant, the first non-castile material available to make NOP-certified cleansers. Typical castile formulations have pHs as high as 9 and can be aggressive to both hair and skin. The SafeSurf material can be used in formulations with a neutral ( 7.0) pH, and creates a good foam as well.

OFFI, part of the Elan Group, has also helped lead this effort. Their two new personal care ingredients can be used in food as well, but were especially needed in the organic personal care industry. The first of these ingre-

dients is an NOP-certified organic glycerin, which is widely used in cosmetics but not available in organic until this year. OFFI’s newest product is organic ethyl palmate, a mixture of fatty acid and ethyl esters. Organic ethyl palmate is oil-soluble and water-miscible and has a variety of applications in personal care and fragrance, as well as food. It can be used in certain applications for personal care as a carrier, solvent, emulsifier, co-emulsifier, emollient, moisturizer and lubricant.

Future Innovations

What new ingredients will hit the market next? Manufacturers like you help determine the answer to that question. Let suppliers know what ingredients you need to create the most authentic, quality organic experience for your consumers. As with any market, supply follows demand. New organic ingredients do not become commercially available until companies believe demand has reached a threshold that exceeds the cost of production, plus a premium that covers their investment and business risk.

As the organic market continues to grow, support suppliers who are taking a risk to develop new products. By doing this, you will fuel further innovation and help encourage others to bring exciting new products to the organic processing industry. ;