Nanotechnology R&D on the rise in the beauty industry

Published: 14-Jul-2010

Use of nanotechnology in C&T development increases


Despite the negative reports on nanotechnology in the media, small particles are big business for personal care manufacturers according to a new survey by the IP Solutions division of Thomson Reuters.

The new report, Can Nanotech Unlock the Foundation of Youth? found the beauty industry has made significant investments in nanotechnology to improve the efficacy of personal care products. Tracking inventions published in patent applications and granted patents from 2003 to 2009, as well as data from 2000 to 2009, the report found that the volume of innovative patents involving nanotechnology in the C&T industry has grown by 103% in the last seven years, from 181 patents in 2003 to 367 patents in 2009.

In addition, 217 personal care brands that incorporate the term ‘nano’ were trademarked in the US, UK, Canada, the EU and WIPO from 2000 to 2009. Interestingly from 2005 – 2009 there were 575% more registered marks than there were from 2000 – 2004.

Furthermore nanotechnology innovation for personal care is beginning to come from companies not normally associated with the cosmetics industry, such as Fujifilm. The report found that of the 367 inventions filed in 2009, 10 were from Fujifilm, nine were from BASF and seven were from Amorepacific.

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