Azelis has further strengthened its Asian personal care business by acquiring Bronson and Jacobs Hong Kong and its fully owned subsidiary in Shanghai from Ixom. The deal, for which terms were not disclosed, is expected to close by the end of the year.

Bronson and Jacobs China specialises in the distribution of personal care ingredients, mainly for skin care, for various global principals. It has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the latter also including a personal care laboratory.

Skin care giant Beiersdorf and Evonik have agreed a research partnership to develop sustainable raw materials for personal care products via artificial photosynthesis, using CO₂ as the starting material, along with water, solar energy and bacteria. The two companies described this part of their ongoing efforts to reduce their carbon footprints and becoming carbon-positive.