The acquisition will see ISP acquire a subsidiary of geniaLab, giving it access to a line of encapsulated products that are used in the home and fabric care field, as well as the personal care area. Terms of the agreement have not been revealed.
The strategic alliance will also see the two companies working together to develop further encapsulation lines.
The geniaLab company has developed commercialised process technology relating to encapsulation, while ISP is known for its expertise in the active ingredient delivery systems and performance-enhancing ingredients.
The two companies create products that appear in a range of personal care items, from shampoo, toothpaste and hair care, as well as non personal care products such as fabric softener and surface cleaner.
"This acquisition and the alliance with geniaLab add an exciting business and technology to our encapsulated product portfolio, which includes products in our ISP Microcaps business," said Phil Strenger, ISP vice president.
Dr. Ulrich Jahnz, managing director of geniaLab added that the alliance would be complimentary to both companies, helping them to develop new and novel products to help meet customer demands.
The encapsulation of cosmetic ingredient is playing an important part in the development of increasingly functional and effective cosmetic products, particularly in the skin care area where vast progress is being made in the anti-ageing segment.
Encapsulation is extremely important for the delivery of vitamins and a variety of other active ingredients. The technology allows for the sophisticated control of both particle size and encapsulates thickness, enhancing the preferred characteristics of the end product.