Visions - Winter 2008 - 6

Chemicals SCOA Enters Cosmetics Industry By Acquiring Presperse LLC Acquisition Expands Sumitomo’s Presence in Global Cosmetics Market T he U.S. retail market for cosmetics is over $60 billion a year. That makes the face of any associated business look good, and SCOA knew that when it recently purchased a minority stake in a New Jerseybased company in the cosmetics industry. Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA) has partnered with Presperse Inc. a leading global distributor and formulator of chemicals in the cosmetic and personal care markets. As a result of the partnership, SCOA is now a 20% minority shareholder in Presperse LLC. Given SCOA’s large global network within the cosmetic supply industry, Presperse will work in conjunction to leverage a larger number of business opportunities worldwide. SCOA sees this investment as an opportunity to further expand its channel of supply distribution in the cosmetic and specialty chemicals industry. Considering SCOA’s Chemical Group sales has imported cosmetic ingredients for many years, the next logical step was to establish synergy by connecting the established SCOA suppliers to Presperse’s distribution and formulation systems. Presperse Inc., founded in 1981 by the late Allan B. Black, has successfully grown into an international organization specializing in servicing the cosmetic and personal care industry with new specialty raw materials. Founded on a single product line, today Presperse offers over 200 unique and diverse materials and offers technical support, sample formulations, and formulation development to its customers. As a company known for its supply and formulation of unique and patented materials like Permethyl®, Spheron® and PresPearls™, Presperse will continue its focus on major product areas such as botanical actives, marine active ingredients, Pearlescent pigments and Permethyl® specialty hydrocarbons. This investment will also strengthen Presperse’s R & D capability as formulators, as well as technological innovation of ingredients in the areas of sun care, makeup, skin care and hair care application. Together, SCOA’s Performance Chemical Unit and Presperse will continue to bring innovative raw materials from Japan and all over the world to the cosmetic and personal care industry, and uphold their high standards of customer service and quality. This partnership will additionally develop potential opportunities in the expanding value chain of the cosmetic 6 visions Winter 2008 Presperse Inc., founded in 1981 by the late Allan B. Black, has successfully grown into an international organization specializing in servicing the cosmetic and personal care industry with new specialty raw materials. and personal care industry. SCOA sees the cosmetic market as one which can continuously grow in decades to come. Presperse beauty products include spherical powders, which enhance the slip and feel of products, help provide uniform application, exceptional flow, spreading and lubricity. These powders help produce a soft focus effect to minimize the appearance of fine lines. Hybrid powders are another product

http://www.presperse.com

Visions - Winter 2008

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