Europe Wants More...and Less

Sales in the European market for emulsifiers in personal care are likely to grow by around 62 percent to $532 million by 2012, despite concerns over their possible carcinogenic properties. A report by Frost and Sullivan (F&S) predicts strong growth in the industry due to an improved economic environment and changing consumer lifestyles that are creating more demand for personal care products. However, mounting health concerns over the use of emulsifiers in certain products are posing a large challenge to the industry, paralleled by a growing preference for eco-friendly and natural products, says F&S research analyst Mahesh Kumar.