I just saw this news about SC Johnson agreeing to purchase Method and Ecover for an undisclosed amount. This is an interesting news since Method and Ecover (I believe) are the two largest manufacturers of several bio-based cleaning and home care products. Belgium-based Ecover bought US-based Method in 2012.

SC Johnson Signs Agreement to Acquire Method and Ecover

SC Johnson is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for air care, home storage, shoe care, personal care and pest control, as well as professional products. Unlike Unilever and Procter & Gamble, SC Johnson has not that been a big player in the laundry products market where large portions of bio-based surfactants are used. SC Johnson has also not that been prominently announced in many bio-based products/chemicals conferences that I’ve usually attended.

Maybe biotechnology-based ingredients could spruce some of SC Johnson’s well-recognized brands such as Glade Air Fresheners and Windex Window Cleaners? SC Johnson’s Ziploc and Saran wrap brands could also be a good candidate for some compostable/biodegradable plastic offering.

We will see what SC Johnson will have on its sleeve down the road. Here is the company’s 2016 Sustainability Report. I will do a special report on this acquisition mentioning Ecover and Method’s bio-based chemicals usage, as well as a bit of an overview of the green cleaning products industry in Tecnon OrbiChem’s October Biomaterials issue.

PS
According to SC Johnson, it has an ongoing dialogue about chemicals, disclosure and so-called natural products. It noted that while many companies claim their products are better because they are “natural” or contain “natural fragrances,” In reality, all fragrances, including essential oils, are complex mixtures of chemicals.

SC Johnson said it launched the industry’s first 100% of fragrance ingredients disclosed product with its Glade® Fresh Citrus Blossoms air care collection and it has became the first major consumer packaged goods company to list specific fragrance ingredients for products sold across Europe.