Innospec Secures China Approval for Its Flagship Ultra-Mild, Sulfate-Free Iselux® Surfactants


ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innospec today announces that Iselux® [INCI: Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate], its industry-leading, sulfate and 1,4-dioxane free surfactant technology, has been approved for use in China, the world’s second largest personal care market.

Available in liquid and solid form, Iselux® is a highly versatile, clear, mild and natural surfactant which delivers superior lather, skin feel and cleansing performance in more than 3,000 body, hair and other personal care products today.   With the China approval secured, for the first time Iselux® is now available for worldwide cosmetic and personal care use by Innospec’s customers.

Innospec technologies like Iselux® directly address growing long-term consumer demand for clean beauty without any compromise in product performance. Innospec recently announced plans for over $70MM of organic growth investments to be made through 2023 to support the increased demand outlook for its premium personal and home care technologies.

Bruce McDonald, President of Innospec Performance Chemicals, said,

“This approval not only opens the door for Iselux® sales for the first time in China, but also substantially expands the breadth of premium formulation alternatives that we can offer our customers in this important market. Furthermore, this approval gives our customers the option to standardize their global formulations and simplify their supply-chains around an Iselux® chassis in all geographies.”

Patrick S. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innospec, added,

“Our team has worked diligently with China’s regulators over many years to gain this important approval. I am excited by the enhanced formulation and supply-chain options that this global approval gives to our customers. Innospec is well positioned to support our customers’ sustainability goals through continued investment in our innovative, clean beauty technologies.”

About Innospec Inc.

Innospec Inc. is an international specialty chemicals company with approximately 1,900 employees in 23 countries. Innospec manufactures and supplies a wide range of specialty chemicals to markets in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.  The Fuel Specialties business specializes in manufacturing and supplying fuel additives that improve fuel efficiency, boost engine performance and reduce harmful emissions. Oilfield Services provides specialty chemicals to all elements of the oil and gas exploration and production industry.  The Performance Chemicals business creates innovative technology-based solutions for our customers in the Personal Care, Home Care, Agrochemical, Mining and Industrial markets. Octane Additives produces octane improvers to enhance gasoline.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated herein may constitute forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements include statements (covered by words like “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “may,” “believes,” “feels,” “plan,” “intend” or similar words or expressions, for example) which relate to earnings, growth potential, operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future.  Although forward-looking statements are believed by management to be reasonable when made, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as its duration, its unknown long-term economic impact, measures taken by governmental authorities to address it and the manner in which the pandemic may precipitate or exacerbate other risks and/or uncertainties, and our actual performance or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Additional information regarding risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to Innospec and affecting our business operations and prospects are described in Innospec’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Innospec’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  You are urged to review our discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements under the heading "Risk Factors” in such reports.  Innospec undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Corbin Barnes
Innospec Inc.
+44-151-355-3611
corbin.barnes@innospecinc.com