Oji to develop nanocellulose for cosmetic applications

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Oji Holdings Corporation (Oji) recently announced that they have signed an agreement with Nikko Chemicals to launch the joint development of Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) for cosmetic applications.

CNF are nano-sized fibers, the width of which ranges from four to a few dozen nanometers (1 nm = 1 millionth of 1 mm). CNF are produced from wood fiber (pulp) from natural wood and are a renewable “green” material that performs as a moisturizer, rheology thickener, and dispersion and thixotropic* agent, each with unique properties. A wide range of cosmetic applications are under development thanks to CNF’s non-stickiness and excellent moisturizing properties that feel like wearing “water over the skin.” Innovations in Oji’s own technology have enabled the optimization of production processes as well as improved the overall characteristics of CNF.

GSC+E (Green, Clean, Sustainable + Economy), the strategic approach of Nikko Chemicals, implements sustainable growth by way of both ecological and economical excellence. This is put into practice in both R&D and manufacturing processes, assuring high-quality, high performance cosmetic raw materials.

The launch of the joint development program is driven by basic research on this material, which have proved the many outstanding characteristics of CNF in cosmetic applications.

Leveraging the expertise and competence of Oji and Nikko Chemicals, a new age in the development of attractive new cosmetics has now commenced.