LANXESS Introduces Cosmelin Biodegradable Ester Line for Cosmetics Formulators

LANXESS is launching Cosmelin, a new line of readily biodegradable esters for cosmetics and personal care manufacturers making skin and hair care, sun care and decorative cosmetics. The range meets the OECD 301 standard for ready biodegradability and is designed as a functional substitute for cyclomethicone and dimethicone, degrading significantly faster and more completely in the environment after use. The portfolio includes monoester, diester, polyol ester and trimellitate products, including Cosmelin 5131 (Isononyl Isononanoate), Cosmelin 5145 (Cetyl Ethylhexanoate) and Cosmelin 5141 (Triisotridecyl Trimellitate).

Key facts

Market context

Cosmetic esters are oily emollients that give creams, lotions, sunscreens and makeup a smooth, non-greasy skin feel and help dissolve or disperse active ingredients. Demand is driven mainly by skin care, hair care, sun care and color cosmetics, along with the wider personal care segment, where formulators continually reshape their ingredient lists around sensory performance and regulatory expectations. Silicone emollients such as cyclomethicone and dimethicone have long been the default choice for silky texture, but they persist in the environment, which has pushed brand owners and ingredient suppliers toward alternatives that break down more readily after use. Readily biodegradable ester chemistries can serve as functional replacements in many formulations, so a credible option of this type can shift specification decisions and gradually redirect volume from silicones. For ester producers and silicone suppliers alike, such moves tend to reshape competitive positioning more than overall market size.

Source: official release on lanxess.com. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.