In Massachusetts, the Green Chemistry & Commerce Council and InnoCentive have awarded several green chemistry innovation awards in preservatives for cosmetics and household products.
There is a need for new preservative technologies because regulations, market demands and increasing consumer interest have shrunk the availability of acceptable preservative options. The GC3 Preservatives Challenge sought submissions on new broad spectrum or single action chemical agents on gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, yeast and mold, as well as preservative boosters.
Forty-eight technologies were submitted. IMD Natural Solutions GmbH, which develops, produces and delivers naturally-derived additives and bioactive ingredients for consumer goods industries, was among the winners.
Challenge sponsors included Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Procter & Gamble, SC Johnson, Unilever, Target, and Walmart.