Expert interview: 5 questions to our Personal Care Global Product Manager and antimicrobials expert

We asked 5 questions to Hendrik Bessem, our Global Product Manager and antimicrobials expert

1/ What is your background? 

“I have a master’s degree in chemistry and active in the chemical space for more than 27 years. I spent the first 25 years of my career (in different functions) at a German based company dealing with preservatives, multifunctional, boosters and biocides used in different application areas. Since 2023 I am part of the Seqens family, more specifically a member of the BU Personal Care, as the Global Product Manager responsible for the portfolio “Antimicrobials”.”  

2/ What are the key trends driving innovation in the personal care antimicrobials market? 

“The personal care preservatives and multifunctional market is experiencing significant innovation driven by several key trends:  

• Demand for natural and sustainable ingredients: The last couple of years consumers as well as cosmetic formulation manufacturers are increasingly seeking personal care products formulated with natural and eco-friendly ingredients. This shift has led to the development of natural / nature identical ingredients, such as plant extracts, essential oils, organic acids, multifunctional and boosters, which offer antimicrobial properties while aligning with environmental values.  

• Multifunctional ingredients: There’s a growing preference for ingredients that serve multiple roles in formulations. For instance, certain so-called preservative boosters not only inhibit microbial growth but can also be used as a suitable solvent and / or show skin conditioning effects, enhancing the overall efficacy of personal care products.   

• Biotechnology Advancements: Biotechnology plays a pivotal role in creating sustainable and high-performing ingredients. Innovations include the development of bio-sourced preservatives and / or ingredients with preservative activity both produced through fermentation processes, resulting in biodegradable and environmentally friendly components.   

• Microbiome-friendly formulations: With increased awareness of the skin’s microbiome, there’s a trend towards preservatives that maintain product safety without disrupting the skin’s natural microbial balance. This approach supports skin health and aligns with consumer preferences for gentle and effective products.   

• Regulatory and safety considerations: Ongoing scrutiny of preservatives in general has led to a reassessment of many different components resulting in further use restrictions and / or total ban of certain ingredients. Nonetheless, the industry is exploring alternative systems to address consumer concerns and comply with evolving regulations.   

These trends reflect a broader movement towards safer, more effective, and environmentally responsible ingredients in the personal care industry, driving continuous innovation in preservative and multifunctional component development.”  

3/ What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see for SEQENS in the personal care antimicrobials market in the coming years? 

“The personal care antimicrobials market is evolving rapidly, bringing both challenges and opportunities. On the challenge side, like all industry players, SEQENS must navigate several key hurdlers:  

• Let’s start with regulatory hurdles: Regulatory standards differ globally, complicating product development and requiring region-specific ingredients / formulations.  

• Then, customer requirements: Every customer has its own list of ingredients that he / she can make use of based on internal policy, pH and temperature restrictions of the formulations, regulatory status, …. On the other hand, their NO – NO list becomes longer and longer, which leads to less possibilities.  

• And to end, a broad product portfolio to meet these sometimes-challenging demands.  

Despite these challenges, there are also significant opportunities. Seqens has strong assets that position it well in the market, from its advanced R&D capabilities to its large-scale production capacities. 

• SEQENS can rely on its powerhouses to self-produce in high quantities different important ingredients and solutions that meet the market requirements.  

• Unique R&D and large production capacities for new development and scale up activities.  

• Seqens, being a leading player in alternative preservative systems, is always extending and researching ways to improve its offerings with a strong focus on innovation.  

• Strong expertise in synthesis from high potent to simple molecules.”

4/ Can you describe SEQENS Personal Care’ current portfolio of antimicrobials for personal care applications? Are there any unique or innovative solutions that set Seqens apart? 

“The current Seqens’ portfolio of antimicrobials is mainly based on self-produced multifunctionals and preservative boosters (e.g. as single ingredient like Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol and Ethylhexylglycerin or as a mixture). This portfolio is supplemented with a range of traditional preservative formulations.   

Relying on our pharmaceutical heritage, through innovation and a commitment to sustainability, SEQENS Personal Care provides environmentally friendly solutions and continuous commitment to bringing the highest environmentally friendly quality products to the market, without compromising on product performance. One of the examples is that SEQENS has developed a unique production process that allows us to produce a wide range of minimum 99% pure biobased and colorless multifunctionals from renewable and sustainable natural resources.”

5/ How does SEQENS Personal Care build strong partnerships with its distributors to integrate its antimicrobial solutions into their products? 

“Building strong partnerships with distributors is key to successfully integrating our antimicrobial solutions into their offerings. At SEQENS Personal Care, we take a proactive approach to support our partners at every stage. 

• First, understand distributor needs and markets.  

• Focus on portfolio benefits: Present antimicrobial solutions to enhance product safety, shelf life, or performance. Emphasize features like natural origins, regulatory compliance, and compatibility with the existing end customer formulations.  

• To add, supply marketing materials, case studies, and success stories tailored to their specific industry or product categories.  

• Collaborate on co-branded campaigns, webinars, or trade show presentations to showcase the benefits of the antimicrobial solutions.  

• And finally, not to forget, offer technical and regulatory support  

• Testing and formulation assistance: Work closely with distributors to integrate your antimicrobial solutions into their clients’ products, offering R&D and formulation support.  

• Help with compatibility and performance testing to build trust in your products’ effectiveness.  

• By combining technical expertise, proactive support, and shared growth strategies, Seqens will create a mutually beneficial partnership that integrates antimicrobial solutions into the distributor’s portfolio effectively and sustainably. ” 

Thank you Hendrik.