
Brenntag Specialties Expands U.S. Distribution Deal with Kao Chemicals Europe of chemicals and ingredients, has announced an expansion of its long-standing distribution agreement. This extended partnership will significantly enhance the availability of Kao’s specialty surfactants and blends across the United States, particularly benefiting formulators in the Beauty and Care industry. Kao Chemicals Europe is renowned for its commitment to developing sustainable alternatives to traditional personal care and household, industrial, and institutional (HI&I) cleaning ingredients, making this collaboration a strategic step forward for both companies.
This expanded agreement will provide Brenntag’s U.S. customers with greater access to Kao’s high-performance specialty surfactants, empowering them to create innovative and sustainable formulations that align with evolving consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to sustainability, as Kao’s product offerings support customers in meeting their environmental and social responsibility goals through high-quality ingredients backed by robust certifications. Kao’s expertise in developing gentle yet effective surfactants, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, foam enhancers, conditioning agents, and other essential components makes this collaboration particularly valuable for formulators seeking to develop next-generation beauty and cleaning products.
Brenntag and Kao Chemicals have enjoyed a successful global partnership since 2000, initially focusing on the Canadian market before expanding into Europe’s Nordic region in 2023. The latest extension of their agreement marks a major milestone in their collaboration, enabling Brenntag to introduce Kao’s specialty surfactant portfolio to a broader customer base across the U.S. market. The expansion is expected to have a particularly strong impact on businesses operating on the East Coast and in the Southern regions of the country, where demand for high-performance and eco-friendly formulations is steadily growing.
Patrick Haineault, Regional President of Beauty and Care North America at Brenntag Specialties, expressed enthusiasm about the new phase of collaboration, stating: “Brenntag Specialties is excited to expand our relationship with Kao Chemicals Europe to the U.S. market, proudly representing Kao’s high-performance, innovative, and sustainable surfactants. This expansion greatly enhances our Personal Care and HI&I portfolio, aligning with our mission to provide innovative and sustainable ingredients to formulators seeking to develop groundbreaking products.”
Marc Bernat, Business Unit Manager for Personal Care and HI&I at Kao Chemicals, also shared his optimism regarding the extended partnership: “We are thrilled to expand our distribution partnership with Brenntag in North America by entering the U.S. market. Our goal is to achieve rapid and robust growth in the fields of Personal Care and HI&I, particularly on the East Coast and in the Southern regions. Brenntag’s reputation as a reliable distribution leader makes them an ideal partner for this endeavor. With their extensive network and expertise, we are confident that this collaboration will drive significant advancements in Kao’s market presence across the United States.”

About Kao Chemicals Europe
Kao Chemicals Europe is a subsidiary of the globally recognized Kao Corporation, a Japanese company founded in 1887. Over the decades, Kao has become a pioneer in creating high-quality, sustainable products designed to enhance consumers’ well-being. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility remain at the core of Kao Chemicals Europe’s business strategy, ensuring that its products not only meet the highest performance standards but also contribute positively to environmental and societal well-being.
Kao’s extensive portfolio encompasses a wide range of specialty ingredients tailored for the personal care and cleaning industries. These include gentle surfactants, conditioning agents, foam enhancers, pearling agents, emulsifiers, emollients, and rheology modifiers, among others. These carefully designed ingredients enable formulators to develop cutting-edge solutions that respond to the latest market trends, including growing consumer demand for sustainable and effective beauty and cleaning products.
With its deep-rooted expertise in specialty chemical innovation, Kao Chemicals Europe remains at the forefront of driving sustainable product development. The company continuously invests in research and development to refine its ingredient portfolio, ensuring that customers receive state-of-the-art solutions that enhance product performance while minimizing environmental impact.
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