TEGO® Cosmo PGA – a natural and biodegradable polypeptide
Evonik extends its portfolio of active ingredients
To anticipate the trend towards sustainability, the business line Care Specialties of Evonik Industries extends its current range of active ingredients with TEGO® Cosmo PGA, a polypeptide of the amino-acid L-glutamic acid produced by biotechnology.
Gamma Polyglutamic acid is a naturally occurring biopolymer present in fermented soybean, a traditional healthy food very popular in Japan for over 800 years and known as “Natto”. The unique production process of TEGO® Cosmo PGA is based on the fermentation of L-glutamic acid by Bacillus subtilis natto, the same microorganism as the one used for the preparation of “Natto”. TEGO® Cosmo PGA is edible, non toxic to human body and biodegradable. The characteristic polyanionic nature of TEGO® Cosmo PGA polypeptide leads to interesting multiple benefits for many industries. For instance, it is known to facilitate calcium absorption improving osteoporosis conditions when used as a nutrition supplement. In cosmetics, its polyanionic character provides chelating properties for divalent cations, such as calcium and magnesium, supporting their solubilisation, delivery and bioavailabilty. It is also known as a film-former with good moisturizing properties providing interesting sensory benefits.
Evonik has introduced TEGO® Cosmo PGA at the In-Cosmetics exhibition in April 2008 and at the Suppliers’ day in May 2008.
Company information
Evonik Industries is the creative industrial group from Germany which operates in three business areas: Chemicals, Energy and Real Estate. Evonik is a global leader in specialty chemicals, an expert in power generation from hard coal and renewable energies, and one of the largest private residential real estate companies in Germany. Our strengths are creativity, specialization, continuous self-renewal, and reliability. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In its fiscal year 2007 about 43,000 employees generated sales of about €14.4 billion and an operating profit (EBIT) of more than €1.3 billion (preliminary figures).
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.