Toyobo to Diversify into Functional Raw Materials for Cosmetics

摘要

Toyobo Co.is primed to launch into the business of functional cosmetics materials,with its trial production of polyglutamine acid,or PGA,now on sale and the commercial production of man-nosylerythritol lipid,or MEL,to begin in the fiscal year starting April 1,2008.The Osaka-based company produces highly salt-tolerant PGA using archaea that inhabits the high-salt environment of the Dead Sea.When crosslinked with gamma radiation,the substance becomes able to absorb and retain 4,000 times its own weight of water.Originally in a gel form,it becomes powder after crosslinking and also can be processed into film.When it absorbs water,PGA turns gelatinous.