Cosmetics makers switch to hand sanitisers as demand rockets

GOING VIRAL

A slew of new sanitiser brands has hit the market with companies trying to capitalise on its skyrocketing demand as hand cleansing becomes a critical ritual in the face of the coronavirus threat.

Before the crisis struck, there were about 100 sanitiser manufacturers in India, a majority of them with manufacturing units in special category states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

WHO recommends alcohol-based sanitisers and frequent washing of hands using soap to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Sanitiser isn’t a complex product to manufacture. It takes only about 70 percent of pure isopropyl alcohol and 30 percent aloe vera gel or PEG (polyethylene glycol) as an inactive ingredient to make sanitiser. What is crucial is the adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMP) in production.

“There are a lot of new companies that have started distributing their own private label because there is a surge in demand. This is an opportunity for any company who has a (manufacturing) set up and network for distribution,” said Mr. Prashant Singh, Director, Medlife. “Many companies making cosmetics and perfumes have shifted to sanitisers. In a way, it is helping to reduce the shortage,” he added.

“We are trying hard to meet the orders and maintain quality while keeping the price affordable. Our earlier production capacity was 3,000 litres of hand sanitiser in a month but now it takes just 10 days to sell that much sanitiser,” said Mr. Ravi Patel, a sanitiser manufacturer in Surat.

Mr. Sanjay Punjabi, CEO of a Changodar-based firm Nidhi Cosmetics, said, “Sanitisers are not our core product as we are into making liquid soaps, shower gels, etc. The spike led us to get into sanitiser production. Apart from domestic market, we are also eyeing exports to UK.”

Pharma major Cipla, which was never into sanitisers, has started distributing the product. Other companies such as ZEE Laboratories and IPC Healthcare have also sprung into action, manufacturing and distributing sanitisers. ZEE Laboratories is a manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals and cosmetics while IPC was mainly a branded drugs supplier for hospitals. Manufacturers expect a 10-time jump in demand for sanitisers.

Vimal Life Sciences & HPIC names award in the name of Mr. S.M. Shanbhag – Tribute to an industry pioneer

As a tribute to Mr. Shivanand Shanbhag, one of the pioneers in the field of Cosmetic Science in India, Vimal Life Sciences and HPIC India have decided to name one of the three awards instituted by them for the Student Excellence Award Programme this year, in his name. It has been overwhelmingly supported by his family, friends and ex-colleagues.

The Award, namely, ‘Excellence in Innovative Formulation Design (Futuristic market trends),’ will be named after Mr. Shanbhag. It will be now called as ‘Shivanand Shanbhag Excellence in Innovative Formulation Design Award (Futuristic market trends).’

Mr. Shanbhag, after completion of his B.Sc. (Tech.) in Oil, Fats & Waxes from UDCT, Mumbai (presently known as Institute of Chemical Technology, ICT), started his career in Lakme in 1969 and consistently progressed with the company and went on to become the General Manager (Technical). In 1998, when Lakme was taken over by Hindustan Lever Ltd. (HLL), Mr. Shanbhag continued his illustrious career and assumed a leadership position of the Head of Innovation for Colour Cosmetics. Even after his retirement, Mr. Shanbhag continued his long association with the cosmetic industry by training students at V.G. Vaze College, Mumbai for the post-graduation course in Cosmetic Science offered by the institute for over 10 years.

Quoting Mr. Shanbhag on this lifetime association with the cosmetic industry –“In this journey I had association with so many who were working for me and I made friendship with others and shared whatever I knew. So I am contented with a thought that whatever I intended to do has been achieved.”