Ashland introduces N-Hance™ 4572 conditioning polymer for more efficient, sustainable rinse-off products

BARCELONA, Spain – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., today introduced N-Hance™ 4572 conditioning polymer, a high charge density, high molecular weight polymer system with better wet-comb and oil-deposition performance than today’s commercially available conditioning polymers. When compared with traditional cationic guar, the new offering is demonstrated to significantly improve the distribution and total deposition of silicone and natural oils such as jojoba oil and meadowfoam across hair strands. The first in a new series of conditioning technologies from Ashland, N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer may be used to lower formulation costs and produce more sustainable shampoo and body wash products.

According to Dave Popplewell, global marketing manager, Care Specialties, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, novel technologies such as N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer will help formulators of rinse-off products to lower the active levels of synthetic and natural oils while maintaining key performance attributes. “With rising raw material prices, makers of rinse-off products are asking for technologies that improve the deposition efficiency of base oils widely used in products such as 2-in-1 shampoos and body washes,” he said. “N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer is just such a technology, enabling formulators to significantly lower the use of these oils while achieving essentially the same aesthetic properties. Using N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer and conditioning oils such as amodimethicone, it is possible to lower the base oil level by 25 to 40 percent and achieve comparable oil deposition on hair, from root to tip. Cost saving opportunities will be obvious to formulators and marketers of many rinse-off products.”

Custom conditioning platform
The world leader in cellulosic polymers for rheology modification and a major provider of conditioning polymers, Ashland is advancing the capabilities of these technologies to better support the personal care industry.

N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer is the first in a novel new series of conditioning polymers from Ashland that may be used as a platform to “dial in” conditioning properties based on needs such as distribution of oil across hair, oil deposition, combing performance and friction value (hair softness).

According to Popplewell, N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer (at 0.20 to 0.25 percent) provides equal or improved conditioning aesthetics in rinse-off formulations containing reduced levels of common oils, amodimethicone, jojoba and dimethiconal. “In examining typical 2-in-1 shampoos formulated with N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer, we see extraordinary aesthetic performance is possible with major reductions in the base oil. These conditioning effects were seen in various hair types, indicating N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer is viable for use in mass-market products.”

Support for sustainability
Lowering the use of natural and synthetic oil without compromising performance will improve the economics of rinse-off products. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to manufacture and market more sustainable products.

“N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer and other products expected in the series are exactly the types of innovations our customers require to accommodate today’s consumer wants and needs. This cost-effective technology enables more sustainable formulations because lower levels of jojoba and silicone oils are used to achieve comparable conditioning results,” explained Popplewell. “The value that N-Hance 4572 conditioning polymer delivers in rinse-off products will be recognized by everyone.”

About Ashland Specialty Ingredients
Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product performance challenges in key markets including personal care, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, coatings and energy. Using natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers derived from plant and seed extract, cellulose ethers and vinyl pyrrolidones, Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for today's demanding consumer and industrial applications.

About Ashland
In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units –Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media Relations
Jennifer Knoblach
+ 31 (0)10 497 5529
jknoblach@ashland.com