Showa Denko Allies with Azelis in Cosmetic Materials

TOKYO, Apr 11, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko ("SDK"; TSE:4004) has agreed with Azelis that the two parties form a business alliance to market SDK's cosmetic raw materials in Europe.

Azelis is a leading global speciality chemicals distributor with businesses in 40 countries, providing a diverse range of products and innovative services to more than 27,000 customers. In the field of personal care products including cosmetic materials, its application research laboratory has developed more than 3,000 formulas. Through its suggestions of products that meets variety of uses and intensive technical support, Azelis has been expanding its scale of business. This time, SDK and Azelis concluded an exclusive distributorship agreement to enable Azelis to market SDK's vitamin derivatives (APM, APPRECIER(TM), TPNa(TM)), a slimming agent (Hi-Carnitine), and hair care products (DL-Cysteine, SPIERA(TM)) in Europe. Azelis starts its marketing activities for SDK's products form this month.

Whether a cosmetic material can demonstrate enough effectiveness depends on development of formulas. Moreover, the needs of customers to cosmetics greatly vary by region. SDK's cosmetic raw materials have already been rated high by customers inside and outside Japan. SDK expects that the sales of its cosmetic raw materials in Europe will significantly increase, taking advantage of Azelis' sales network in European countries and expertise and know-how about development of formulas that meet European consumers' needs.

Under its ongoing medium-term consolidated business plan "Project 2020+," SDK aims to expand its individualized businesses by accelerating development of overseas markets. SDK will further improve its sales network for cosmetic raw materials, thereby meeting customers' expectations at home and abroad.

Outline of Azelis Group

Head office: The Grand Duchy of LuxembourgEstablishment: 2001Scope of business: Sales of speciality chemicals and innovative ingredientsGroup CEO: Hans-Joachim Muller

The products subject to the exclusive distributorship agreement

Skin Care Lines: Vitamins1) APMINCI NAME: MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATEAPM is a stable and active provitamin C.- Stable against oxidation- Easy for formulation- High skin bio-availability of vitamin C

2) APPRECIER(TM)(APPS) INCI NAME: TRISODIUM ASCORBYL PALMITATE PHOSPHATEAPPS is a newly designed amphiphilic derivative of ascorbyl 2-phosphate (AP).- Moderate hydrophobicity- High transdermal permeation- Effective delivery of vitamin C

3) TPNa(TM)INCI NAME: SODIUM TOCOPHERYL PHOSPHATEVitamin E derivative, TPNa(TM), is designed as water-soluble powder which is quite stable but is readily converted to the active a -tocopherol in the skin.- Water-soluble powder- Easy for formulation- High anti-oxidant effects

Skin Care Lines: Slimming4) Hi-Carnitine (HLC)INCI NAME: PALMITOYL CARNITINEL-carnitine is well-known supplement for weight control by combustion of accumulated fat. Our L-carnitine derivative, HLC, has advantage not only on slimming but on various skin troubles.- Satisfactory transdermal bioavailability- Efficient slimming effect- Skin care efficacies on anti-age, hydration, and hair growth

Hair Care Products5) DL-Cysteine, DL-Cysteine HClINCI NAME: CYSTEINE, CYSTEINE HClGeneral cysteine-type permanent wave agents were difficult to use because of low solubility, segmentation and cloudy appearance in water. The improved DL-Cysteine agents have;- No recrystallization- High solubility in water- High perming performance- No harm on hair and hands

6) SPIERA(TM)INCI NAME: BUTYROLACTONETHIOLSPIERA(TM) is perm and hair relaxer agent with mild acidity and superior performance compared with current alkaline processing treatments.- No damage on hair- No chemical odor- No coloring retardation

About Showa Denko K.K.

Showa Denko K.K. ("SDK"; TSE:4004,US:SHWDF) is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and computer industries. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial and high-performance gasses and chemicals and high-purity gases and chemicals for the semiconductor industry, and the Inorganics Sector provides ceramics products such as alumina, abrasive, refractory and graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. Today, the Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high-bright LEDs and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.

Contact:Showa Denko
Public Relations Office
Phone: 81-3-5470-3235