"GEKA is the new technology leader in the market for moulded mascara brushes. With its purchase of the patents for 2 K Tech-nology, the company has completed its portfolio and, as the sole supplier worldwide, is now able to utilize all types of manufacturing processes for moulded mascara brushes," the company informed.

Along with 2 K Technology, the global brush and packaging manu-facturer also owns the patents for the "Sandwich" process and for the Moltrusion® technology. "At present, we own over 600 brands, patents, industrial property rights, and design patents registered in our name. This makes us the strongest partner for the liquid cosmetics industry. We are the only company that is able to offer such a wide range of products – a range that is now available to all customers following the acquisition of the 2 K patents," says GEKA CEO Franco Lucá.

2 Shot Technology has been in successful use in the marketplace since 2004. So far, GEKA has only used the process, developed in collaboration with Beiersdorf, for two Nivea-brand mascaras. The acquisition of the patent has now eliminated this exclusivity. In addition to the two associated Nivea packaging solutions, GEKA will now use the technology to expand its non-exclusive GEKA Style portfolio. In the first stage, two mascara brushes will arrive on the market: missionDEFINITION and lenghtyLASHES.

2 K Technology is an injection moulding process that employs two materials in one tool. First, the fixed brush core is manufactured from a hard plastic, and a soft elastomer is then injected around it to shape the bristles. Compared with the 1 K process, in which the core and bristles are made from a single, semi-rigid plastic, the new process makes possible the creation of ultra-fine, flexible bris-tles.

"The advantages of this technology are obvious: design, colors, elasticity – there are simply no limits. Moulded brushes are manu-factured using the 2 K process on high-tech machines with com-plex tools. We have developed these in close, amicable coopera-tion for and with Beiersdorf. Now we are delighted that we can use this expertise to expand our portfolio," explains Lucá.

"In the future, GEKA will use its technology leadership in the area of moulded brushes to move forward into other market segments," the company concluded. Potential applications include products for lips, skin, and hair.

 

Meet GEKA at CosmeticBusiness 2011 on June 09 and 10 in Munich: hall 1, booth C 30

Source: GEKA GmbH