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Inolex

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Inolex
Company typePrivate (since 1981)
IndustrySustainable Ingredients
Predecessor
Founded1876; 148 years ago (1876)[1]
Headquarters
Philadelphia, PA
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • David C. A. Plimpton (CEO, President, Chairman)[2]
Websitewww.inolex.com

Inolex is a worldwide company that designs ingredients for the personal care and cosmetics industries. Headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, the company has been operating since 1876. Inolex supplies[3] ingredients for consumer products including sunscreen, hair conditioner, skin care products, wet wipes, and cosmetics.[4][5][6]

The company has operations in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, France, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea, India, and China.[7][8] Inolex designs and produces ingredients that can be used to replace palm oil, silicone, and preservatives.[9][10][11]

History

[edit]

Inolex, which stands for innovation ("IN"), technology ("OL"), excellence ("EX"),[12] was founded in 1876 as the D.B. Martin Company and has been a privately held, independent company since 1981.[13]

1876–1967

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The D.B. Martin Co.'s Flagship Facility in Philadelphia, PA (1908)

In 1876, D.B. Martin founded the D.B. Martin Company' in Delaware, US, and in 1904, he incorporated the company in Philadelphia.[1] The company processed animal-derived fats, oils, fatty acids, soaps, and animal fibers. It rapidly grew in the United States and Canada, becoming the largest meat packing and processing operation east of Chicago.[14][15] Martin contracted architect C.B. Comstock to design a modern, single-site facility in Philadelphia at a cost of $1,000,000. The building opened in 1908 and incorporated an abattoir, corporate headquarters, office space, rooftop stock pen, cold storage, and oil-processing operations, along with advanced environmental controls to protect city residents.[15][16]

The Wilson-Martin Company logo (1961)

Following it acquisition by Wilson & Company, Inc. in 1920,[1][17][18] the newly formed Wilson-Martin Company operated as a subsidiary of Wilson & Co., focusing on animal fiber and fatty-acid derivative production.[19][20] In the 1930s, the company developed a prototype continuous production apparatus for the distillation of fatty acids that was later adapted to a full-scale commercial version, an important innovation in the industry. Previously, industrial fatty-acid distillation had been performed using batch processing methods. The new, continuous process method delivered improvements in yields and quality, and allowed producers to easily switch from one raw material to another without production downtime, cleaning of the apparatus, or cross-contamination of the materials produced.[21][22] By 1961, the Wilson-Martin Company produced a line of products branded "Wilmar" and "Wilimids", emphasizing gas chromatography as an assurance of superior quality. Products in these lines included emulsifiers, esters, plasticizers, lubricants, distilled fatty acids, and germicidal fatty nitrogen derivatives.[23]

1967–1981

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In June 1967, the U.S. conglomerate Ling-Temco-Vought acquired Wilson & Company, including its subsidiary Wilson-Martin Company,[24] during a period when Ling-Temco-Vought stated it was strategically focused on acquiring quality-focused companies that were pioneers in their industries.[25] Following the acquisition, parent company Ling-Temco-Vought restructured the operations to form publicly held companies that traded on the American Stock Exchange; Wilson & Company, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical.[24]

The Wilson-Martin Company’s chemical and processing operations were incorporated into the newly formed Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical, which produced 140 pharmaceutical products.[26][27] In 1967, Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical acquired Goldschmidt Chemical.[28][29][30] In 1969, the Ling-Temco-Vought conglomerate divested several operations, one of which was Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical, which was sold to American Can Company for $16,000,000.[31]

During the 1970s, Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical operated as a subsidiary of American Can and shifted emphasis towards pharmaceuticals, laboratory diagnostics, and personal care.[32] The company sold its animal products processing facilities and established a new division called Wilson Diagnostics, which developed the "Auxotab" system (later named "Inolex enteric"),[33] an easy-to-use rapid laboratory test kit for the detection of enteric pathogens including E. coli and Salmonella.[34] The product was marketed for use in clinical settings, for environmental monitoring[35] and in the food industry.[36] As part of the reshaping, in 1974, the company rebranded itself as "INOLEX Corporation",[37][38] a name that was derived from the words INnovation, TechnOLogy, and EXcellence.[8]

The publicly-traded INOLEX Corporation was merged back into its parent company American Can in 1979,[39] and in 1981, American Can Company sold the Inolex Chemical Division to private investors.[40][41][42]

1981–present

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Since 1981, Inolex has operated as a privately-held, independent company focused on ingredient innovation and production. Early on, the company specialized in ester technology and operated in the polyester/urethane market, cosmetic ingredient market, and specialty lubricant industry. In the 1980s, Inolex developed new ingredient technologies, for example, clear shower gels and urethane sealants.[43] Inolex's first-to-market innovations include proprietary ingredient blends such as natural cationic hair-conditioning agents;[44] natural, broad-spectrum preservation ingredients; and bio-based, plant-derived, silicone replacements.[45]

During this time, Inolex began to focus on sustainability and the environment, sustainable products, alternative preservatives, silicone replacements, palm-free ingredients, and nature-derived ingredients for the cosmetic industry in response to shifting consumer demands.[46][47] In 2017, Inolex became solely focused on the personal care industry with the sale of the Lexolube industrial lubricant franchise to Zschimmer & Schwarz.[48][49] In 2018, the company announced plans for a new facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, to expand its global manufacturing and warehousing holdings.[50] In partnership with Michael Gericke (Pentagram), in 2022 Inolex launched a new logo and updated corporate identity.[51][52]

Sustainability and the environment

[edit]

Inolex uses green chemistry principles as a method to responsibly manage environmental impact from the design, manufacturing and application of its products.[53] The company produces natural, sustainable ingredients for industry use, and operates demonstration centers in Brazil and China, where formulation and manufacturing professionals learn how to incorporate sustainable technologies and ingredients into cosmetics and personal care formulas.[8][54][55]

Inolex has been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) since 2012,[56] and RSPO mass-balance supply chain certified[57] since 2017. Inolex changed its palm oil-based products to 100% RSPO-certified in 2018 and committed to a 2020 zero-deforestation target.[58] As of June 2016, several Inolex products were on the list of botano-chemicals approved for use in NSF/ANSI Standard 305 Certified Products: Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients.[59][60] Inolex ingredients have been used in products that comply with the "Premium Body Care Standards" implemented by Whole Foods Market.[61]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Moody's Manual of Railroads and Corporation Securities. Moody Publishing Company. 1922. pp. 1305–. ...controlled by stock ownership, Wilson-Martin incorporated 19 Jul 1920, in Delaware.
  2. ^ "Inolex - Our People". inolex.com. Inolex. 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Personal Care Specialty Ingredients Market Analysis By Product (Active (Surfactant (Amphoteric, Anionics, Cationics, Non-Ionics), Emollient (Emollient Ester, Natural Oil), UV Absorbers (Organic, Inorganic), Conditioning Polymer (Silicone, Polyquaternium, Conditioning Protein), Antimicrobial (Preservative, Bacteriostats, Antidandruff Agents), Inactive) And Segment Forecasts To 2024". GrandViewResearch.com. Grand View Research. Sep 2016. Retrieved 17 Apr 2018.
  4. ^ "Croda develops milky moisturizing body spray. (Formulary)". thefreelibrary.com. Rodman Publications Inc. 2002. Retrieved 15 Apr 2018.
  5. ^ "Personal Care Formulary" (PDF). essentialingredients.com. Elementis Specialties. 2013. Retrieved 16 Apr 2018.
  6. ^ "Global Personal Care Specialty Ingredients Market 2018 – Inolex, Vantage Specialty Ingredients, Naturex, Ashland Inc". expressobserver.com. Express Observer. 1 Apr 2018. Retrieved 8 Apr 2018.
  7. ^ "Inolex company profile". cosmeticsbusiness.com. HPCi media. 2018. Retrieved 8 Apr 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Utroske, Deanna (11 Sep 2017). "Inolex opens cosmetics ingredient demonstration facility in San Paolo, Brazil". cosmeticsdsesign.com. William Reed Business Media Ltd. Retrieved 8 Apr 2018.
  9. ^ Utroske, Deanna (12 Apr 2016). "Palm-free ingredient portfolio stands out at in-cosmetics". cosmeticsdesign.com. Paris, France. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  10. ^ Schaefer, Katie (11 Sep 2012). "Succinic Acid Emollients for Natural Skin Feel and Shine". Cosmetics & Toiletries. Allured Business Media. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  11. ^ "IN-COSMETICS GLOBAL TREND WATCH: STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN". Global Cosmetics News. Global Cosmetics Media Limited. 20 Apr 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Inolex Chemical Company: Company Profile". hoovers.com. Dun & Bradstreet. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 Apr 2018.
  13. ^ Roger F. Jones (2016-04-19). Strategic Management for the Plastics Industry: Dealing with Globalization and Sustainability (Second ed.). CRC Press. pp. 17–. ISBN 978-1-4665-0587-2. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  14. ^ "Intermediates - and acids". Chemicals. Vol. 12. New York, NY, USA. 20 Jul 1920. pp. 15–.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  15. ^ a b Grojllart (13 May 2013). "Slaughterhouse 3000 (Market Street)". hiddencityphila.org. Hidden City Philadelphia. Retrieved 18 Apr 2018.
  16. ^ "Latest in Packing Plants: D.B. Martin Co.'s New House at Philadelphia an Example". The National Provisioner. Vol. 38. 18 Jan 1908. pp. 15–17. Retrieved 13 Apr 2018.
  17. ^ "The Wilson-Martin Company". American Fertilizer. Vol. 53. Ware Bros. 1920. pp. 6–.
  18. ^ United States. Bureau of Animal Industry (1920). "Changes in name of official establishments". Service and Regulatory Announcements. pp. 90–. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018. Wilson & Co. (Inc.) and Wilson & Co., Wilson-Martin Co., subsidiaries, Thirtieth and Market Streets, Philadelphia PA, instead of D.B. Martin Co.
  19. ^ New York Stock Exchange (1921). Listing Statements of the New York Stock Exchange. F. E. Fitch, Incorporated. pp. 2736–. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  20. ^ "Trade Gleanings". The National Provisioner. 25 Feb 1922. pp. 6–. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  21. ^ US 1951241, Goranflo, Stanley, "Distillation and purification of fatty acids", published 1934-03-13, assigned to Wilson & Company 
  22. ^ Tolman, L.M.; Garanflo, Stanley (Feb 1935). "Continuous Distillation of Fatty Acids". Oil & Soap. 12 (2): 26–29. doi:10.1007/BF02636638. S2CID 94144818.
  23. ^ "The Creative Approach to MODERN CHEMISTRY...WILMAR QUALITY". Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 39, no. 17. USA: American Chemical Society. 24 Apr 1961. p. 29. doi:10.1021/cen-v039n017.p029.
  24. ^ a b Patrick A. Gaughan (2017-11-27). Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructurings. Wiley. pp. 84–. ISBN 978-1-119-38073-3. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  25. ^ Don Stokes, James Ling (1965). A View from the Tower - A Management View of Ling-Temco-Vought (video). Retrieved 10 Mar 2018.
  26. ^ Emmis Communications (Apr 1969). The Alcalde. Emmis Communications. pp. 22–. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  27. ^ "Patents assigned to Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical Corporation". Justia Patents. Justia. 1976. Retrieved 10 Apr 2018.
  28. ^ Gaughan, Patrick A. (2017-11-27). Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructurings. Wiley. pp. 84–. ISBN 978-1-119-38073-3. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  29. ^ M. S. Balsam; Edward Sagarin (1972). Cosmetics: Science and Technology. John Wiley & Sons Canada, Limited. ISBN 978-0-471-04646-2.
  30. ^ Robert Sobel (1999). The Rise and Fall of the Conglomerate Kings. Beard Books. pp. 96–. ISBN 978-1-893122-47-5.
  31. ^ "History of the LTV Corporation". referenceforbusiness.com. Encyclopedia of Business. Retrieved 27 Apr 2018.
  32. ^ Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical Company Annual Report (1971). Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical Company. 1972. p. 2.
  33. ^ Unesco; World Health Organization; International Organization for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (1975). New approaches to the identification of microorganisms. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-36746-8. Retrieved 22 Apr 2018.
  34. ^ Rhoden, D.L.; Tomfohrde, K.M.; Smith, P.B.; Balows, A. (1973). "Evaluation of the Improved Auxotab 1 System for Identifying Enterobacteriaceae" (PDF). Applied Microbiology. 26 (2): 215–216. doi:10.1128/AEM.26.2.215-216.1973. PMC 379755. PMID 4582818. Retrieved 15 Apr 2018.
  35. ^ John Winter (1978). Microbiological Methods for Monitoring the Environment: Water and Wastes (Report). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  36. ^ Daniel Y.C. Fung (1976). New methods for pathogens: A review (PDF) (Report). meatscience.org. Retrieved 15 Apr 2018.
  37. ^ Inolex: Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical Company Annual Report (1973) (Report). Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical Company. 22 Mar 1974.
  38. ^ Inolex Corporation Annual Report (1974) (Report). Wilson Pharmaceutical & Chemical Company. 28 Mar 1975.
  39. ^ "American Can Buying All of Inolex". The New York Times. 28 Jun 1979. p. D11. Retrieved 8 Apr 2018.(subscription required)
  40. ^ Constantinos C. Markides (1995). Diversification, Refocusing, and Economic Performance. MIT Press. pp. 101–. ISBN 978-0-262-13311-1. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  41. ^ "Natural Cosmetic Ingredients: Partnering with BioAmber to promote natural silicone alternatives" (PDF). www.bio.org. Biotechnology Innovation Organization. 2013. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  42. ^ Lurie, Maxine N.; Mappen, Marc (2004). "American Can Company". Encyclopedia of New Jersey. Rutgers University Press. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-8135-3325-4. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  43. ^ "Clearly, a winner". DuPont Magazine. Mar 1990. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 22 Apr 2018.
  44. ^ Pitman, Simon (9 Oct 2011). "Inolex targets hair conditioning formulas with first ever natural cationic". cosmeticsdesign.com. William Reed Business Media LLC. Retrieved 17 Apr 2018.
  45. ^ Prance-Miles, Louise (6 Feb 2020). "Inolex RECEIVES HENKEL BEAUTY CARE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD". globalcosmeticnews.com. Global Cosmetics Media Limited. Retrieved 21 Jan 2023.
  46. ^ Esposito, Christine (3 Jul 2017). "Preservative Suppliers Do the Safety Dance with NGOs". happi.com.
  47. ^ McDougall, Andrew (11 Feb 2013). "As health scares and perceptions emerge, ingredients suppliers face new challenges". Cosmetics Design USA. William Reed Business Media Ltd.
  48. ^ "Company Overview of Inolex Chemical Company, Lexolube Division". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg L.P. 3 Jan 2017. Retrieved 8 Apr 2018.
  49. ^ Morris, Linda (11 Jan 2017). "Plant making $50 million investment; to create 75 skilled jobs". The Telegraph (Macon). Georgia, USA. Retrieved 8 Apr 2018.
  50. ^ Utroske, Deanna (28 Nov 2018). "Specialty ingredient maker Inolex expanding production to better serve beauty makers". Cosmetics Design (USA). Retrieved 29 Jan 2019.
  51. ^ "Inolex Rebels with Updated Logo, Website Refresh Fusing Science with Nature". Cosmetics & Toiletries. USA. 25 Oct 2022. Retrieved 22 Feb 2023.
  52. ^ "Inolex". www.pentagram.com. Pentagram (design studio). 2022. Retrieved 22 Feb 2023.
  53. ^ Heldermann, Martina; Burgo, Rocco (1 Sep 2012). "Green chemistry: the future or 'green-wash'?" (PDF). saci-cfpa.com. SACI-CFPA. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  54. ^ "Collaborate with Inolex in Sao Paulo: Demo center lets clients explore new beauty care technology". happi.com. Brazil. 7 Sep 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  55. ^ "Inolex Opens Tech Center in China". happi.com. Rodman Media. 25 Feb 2016.
  56. ^ "ACOP Annual Communication of Progress, Sectoral Report 2012/2013, Palm Oil Processors & Traders" (PDF). RSPO.org. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. 2013. Retrieved 10 Apr 2018.
  57. ^ "RSPO supply chains". RSPO.org. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. 2018. Retrieved 10 Apr 2018.
  58. ^ "Inolex offers RSPO certified mass-balanced palm across full product line". Bioenergy International. 12 Jan 2018. Retrieved 10 Apr 2018.
  59. ^ "Complete List of Botano-Chemicals approved for use in NSF/ANSI Standard 305 Certified Products" (PDF). QAI-inc.com. Quality Assurance International. 20 Jul 2016. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  60. ^ "NSF/ANSI 305: Organic Personal Care Products". nsf.org. NSF International. 2018. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  61. ^ "Natural Shampoo Meets Whole Foods Premium Body Care standard" (PDF). Colonial Chemical, Inc. Jun 2015. Retrieved 25 Apr 2018.
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