Chelates are an important component of most personal care and industrial applications. The key function is to act as an oxidizing agent and sequester free metallic ions, which by themselves can cause stability and micro issues within a system. It is common to add chelates to a water phase early in the process. The amount is usually small, 0.1 to 0.5 percent in personal care with up to 1.0percent in industrial applications. EDTA is the most ubiquitous chelating agent with good ability to tie up multi -valent ions (such as Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, and Phosphorus). EDTA can promote greater efficacy of preservatives in a formula. Typically, from a structural point of view, the strength of a chelator is dependent on the number of Nitrogen atoms. An increased number of Nitrogen atoms in the compound makes a stronger chelator. So when formulating, the saying “a little goes a long way” can be applied to chelators and their use in formulas.

Amit Patel, Innovation and Applied Science Manager

Going green?  Don’t forget your chelate!

Derived from corn, Dissolvine® GL-47-S is the natural choice to enhance the performance of those halogen-free, formaldehyde-free, and paraben-free preservative systems available to the chemist who is formulating  “green.”

Dissolvine® GL-47-S has no biocidal properties by itself, but when formulated properly can improve the kill time of  your preservative of choice, particularly pseudomonas aeruginosa, aspergillus niger, and staphylococcus aureus. 

The results of experiments measuring the influence of Dissolvine® GL on a variety of preservatives against pseudomonas aeruginosa, aspergillus niger, and staphylococcus aureus are summarized in this technical brochure.

Dissolvine® GL products are fully compliant with the European Cosmetics Directive and its amendments and adaptations (latest update April 16, 2009) including the 7th amendment.

Dissolvine® GL-47-S is an innovative and sustainable ingredient that contributes functional, economic, and ecological value.

Our sincere congratulations to Donna and Jim Boldt of Deeks & Company of Stone Mountain, GA, for being selected by NACD as 2011 Distributors of the Year.

When you’re recognized as such by an organization with the pedigree and authenticity of the NACD, that’s a high honor indeed.  They’re both deeply involved with the Association and its good work on behalf of the industry and the community, which takes many forms.  As the article states,

Their service to the Association in many different leadership roles has been an outstanding example of their steadfast commitment to the chemical distribution industry.

They’re shutting down manufacturing plants, and that will probably include chemical producers as well as electronic and automotive makers: the terrible floods that have struck Thailand in recent days have disrupted the lives and livelihoods of millions, and impacted an economic chain that extends far beyond the country itself.

Just as with the Japanese earthquakes and tsunami of earlier this year, the disaster teaches us lessons about preparedness and safety that need to be heeded by every professional, especially in the materials handling and distribution industry.

Originating in Southern California certainly keeps us honest about safety and security from natural threats.   That’s why organizations like NACD, which has (again) posted an exemplary safety record from its membership, are critical.  Good stewardship and the willingness to invest in safety shouldn’t be back-burner priorities for any company, especially in our industry, and the lessons taught by the events of 2011 should really drive that home.

Member firms in the National Association of Chemical Distributors posted strong business gains during 2010, a testament to both their persistence in the face of a reluctant economy and — we’re sure — to the benefits of NACD membership.

The Association’s annual Company Productivity Report (CPR) shows NACD member companies achieved strong profitability in 2010. In particular, nominal dollar sales rose 12.9%, 24.0%, and 11.7% for the LIQ, FPP, and BPM groups* respectively. While physical throughput of pounds of chemicals moving through the warehouse (without 3rd party), sales were 7.9% lower in 2010 (as compared to 2009) for the LIQ group, the FPP and BPM groups saw a 16.0% and 13.4% rise, respectively.

The best practices espoused under Responsible Distribution and other NACD tenets are simply good, smart business that better enable a company to ride out rough seas.

“The recession had its effect on NACD’s members, as it did on all industrial sectors,” said NACD President Chris Jahn. “But on the whole, it weathered the storm better than other industries, due largely to a strong, conservative management culture backed by a commitment to Responsible Distribution, NACD’s management performance practice.”

Innovation begets jobs – just ask anybody in Silicon Valley about that, or any of the numerous communities springing up around the world, where engineers and chemists and other scientific professionals are applying themselves daily to the task of making better products and breakthrough strides in our knowledge of how they work.

A recent study by the American Chemical Society just reinforces that home truth as it says it’s economically imperative for the domestic chemical industry to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.   It says the industry should re-direct itself and focus on helping startups and entrepreneur firms fill the need for innovation that will drive more jobs in the future.

It’s unfortunate, but there’s been a steady decline in the number of jobs for chemists over the past two decades, and it’s the ACS’ contention that an emphasis on grassroots-level innovation will help stem those losses.  This doesn’t mean that big chemical companies are in the wrong in any way — they’re subject to the same competition and economic realities we all are.  We’re sure they’d agree that more competition and innovation, not less, is one route back to a healthier domestic job market for chemistry professionals.

George Whitesides, chairman of the ACS Task Force and a Harvard University professor, said that if the recommendations of the report are followed, it has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S. chemical industry over the next 20 years.

…for keeping the bar high for everyone in the industry, as they were recipients of the NACD’s Responsible Distribution Excellence Award.

By committing to the 12 Codes of Responsible Distribution, they’ve earned our respect for having dedicated themselves to their industry, their community and the safety and education of their employees.  It’s an effort that’s acknowledged and emulated by all 400 NACD members, and recognitions like this are a real testament to the hard work and good intentions of every member!

We’re proud to be part of an industry that can claim a safety record like that cited in the NACD’s latest report, which shows that members had a safety record 30% better than that seen in all other manufacturing industries, combined.

That’s another tribute to Responsible Distribution, and to the efforts of chemical distributors to be mindful stewards.

“Every year I am more impressed with our members. They are a pivotal link in the U.S. chemical industry supply chain and this years report demonstrates once again, that they remain committed to safety day-in and day-out,” said NACD President Chris Jahn. “Responsible Distribution is a framework that our member companies and chemical handler affiliates use to not only manage their environmental, health, safety, and security (EHS&S) areas of operations but consistently improve them each year. Information gathered from our member companies in this report show a dedication to excellence.”

A leading trend in the packaging industry, one that’s already begun to affect health & beauty products, is what’s called the “Futurism Movement,” and it’s bound to influence consumer tastes and preferences for some time to come.

The Futurists of nearly a century ago have had their influence echo down through the decades, and that’s been apparent in popular culture and entertainment imagery.  Lady Gaga owes a lot to futurism — and her use of its tropes, like bold colors and textures, asymmetry and angularity and other touches, are influencing the tastes of her followers and beyond.

Fashion collections this season evoke a streamlined, technological futurism that’s attributable to this trend.  How it shows up in packaging is, as the BeautyPackaging.com article explains…

…avant-garde shapes and metallic finishes that embrace technology and innovation. She said sleek-touch packaging with soft finishes complements the heavy metal and gem like shapes of this ultramodern trend.

How long will the trend last?  Is it a deep-seated sea-change, or just a flavor de jour? Trendspotters are, as usual, investing a lot of time trying to polish their crystal balls on this.  The upcoming HBA Expo will devote a session to exploring the upcoming fashions that may well drive the design of tomorrow’s packaging…either for the moment, or profoundly and permanently.

Coast Southwest has a primary location in Southern California, so the events of the past few months in Japan have obvious relevance to us, as they ought to for anyone in the business of handling and transporting chemicals.  A disaster of the enormity and force of the earthquake and tsunami have the potential to wreak havoc…which is why taking advance safety and security measures is crucial.  It’s an object lesson in preparedness.

While there was seemingly mild impact on the chemical industry in Japan, the situation could have been more profound if the quake had happened in another region of the country.   The fact that TEPCO, despite its claims of preparedness, has seen so many difficulties with its nuclear plant is evidence of how dangerous and unpredictable circumstances can become.

No amount of regulation or intervention, however well-intentioned, is a substitute for the sense of responsibility and community that practitioners in the private sector bring to their work.   So we’d call on colleagues and competitors to be sure they’re following the best practices that are our best bulwark against disaster and mischance.

As members of NACD and practitioners of Responsible Distribution, we’re advocates of training and readiness to handle any contingency that might impact our employees or communities.