The Chemical Show: Where Leaders Talk Business

Performance is taking center stage in the beauty and personal care ingredients sector, as revealed on the floor of NYSCC Suppliers Day 2025. Host Victoria Meyer explores the notable shift away from buzzwords like “sustainability” and “natural,” uncovering how companies are reframing their focus towards innovation, plant-based solutions, and advanced product performance. 

Victoria is joined by John Harrold of Zinco Verde, who discusses novel, energy-efficient zinc oxide for sunscreens, and Christoph Krumm of Sironix Renewables, highlighting breakthroughs in bio-based surfactants derived from agricultural waste. The conversation unpacks how trends like neurocosmetics, microbiomes, and a pragmatic approach to environmental benefits are shaping the industry’s direction. Get a first-hand perspective on what’s driving R&D, purchasing, and consumer choices in today’s dynamic beauty ingredient market. 


Gain insights on the following topics: 
  • Innovation Takes Center Stage: Companies are pivoting away from buzzwords like “sustainability” and “natural,” putting real innovation and performance at the heart of product development. 
  • Neurocosmetics and Microbiome Science and how new ingredients target mood and neurological benefits alongside appearance, while microbiome-friendly formulations gain traction. 
  • Sustainability Reconsidered: Companies shift from "sustainability" rhetoric to pragmatic solutions and value-driven innovation. 
  • Plant-Based Performance: Industry messaging replaces "natural" with "plant-based" and "performance”. 
  • Start-up leaders discuss bringing advanced technologies to market  

Killer Quote: “If you had asked me this when we spun out as a company, I would have told you bio based is the innovation, right? That is the reason for existing. That's really not the case. As we found. Bio based ingredients matter. People still want them. The reason for existing for us is performance.” — Christoph Krumm, CEO of Sironix 


 


0:00:24 Bonnie’s career in chemicals 


0:02:51 Responsible Care principles at Evonik  


0:04:20 Sustainability's growing importance. 


0:05:13 Evonik's sustainability pillars: next-generation solutions, technology, and culture. 


0:06:34 Customer demand for sustainable solutions  


0:08:29 The importance of culture in driving change 


0:13:49 Leadership and career lessons, women in leadership roles, Bonnie's career advice 
 


 

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***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com  



Wondering how we produce our podcast? 

Creators and Guests

Host
Victoria Meyer
Host of The Chemical Show; founder and President of Progressio Global

What is The Chemical Show: Where Leaders Talk Business?

Looking to lead, grow, and stay ahead in the trillion-dollar global chemical industry? The Chemical Show - the #1 business podcast for the chemical industry - is your go-to resource for leadership insights, business strategies, and real-world lessons from the executives shaping the future of chemicals. Grow your knowledge, your network, and your impact.

Each week, you'll hear from executives from across the industry - from Fortune 50 to midsize to startups. You’ll hear how they're tacking today's challenges and opportunities, their origin story (what got them here!), how you can take and apply these lessons and insights to your own business and career.

We talk:
- Business Transformation
- Innovation
- Digitization of business
- Strategy
- Supply Chain
- and so much more

Founder and host Victoria King Meyer is an expert interviewer - who brings out the best in each guest. She gained her industry experience at leading companies, including Shell, LyondellBasell and Clariant. Today, she is a high-performance coach and advisor to business leaders in chemicals and energy, as well as the host of The Chemical Show podcast, and founder of The Chemical Summit.

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest!

Websites:
https://www.thechemicalshow.com
https://www.thechemicalsummit.com
https://www.progressioglobal.com

Victoria: Welcome to The Chemical Show,
the podcast where Chemical means business.

I'm your host, Victoria Meyer,
bringing you stories and insights

from leaders driving innovation and
growth across the chemical industry.

Each week we explore key trends,
real world challenges, and the

strategies that make an impact.

Let's get started.

Welcome back to The Chemical
Show where Leaders Talk Business.

So you are getting a special episode
today from New York Society of Cosmetic

Chemists, NYSCC, suppliers Day.

What you're going to notice
is that I have a couple of

interviews that were done on site.

And I recorded the majority of my podcast
episode, including my observations

about what's hot and what's not at
supplier's day while I was there on site.

So audio quality is what it is.

We're tuning it up to the best
we can, but you are getting the

live on the floor experience.

I'm recording this at NYSCC
Suppliers Day 2025 at the

Javits Center in New York City.

A place that is full of booths
and people and innovations,

and everybody is talking about.

Beauty and science and the
intersection of the two.

so this is a great event.

Had an opportunity to talk with a
wide variety of participants, people

at booths, people walking the floor.

Innovators, buyers, sellers, and more.

And what I wanna talk about today
are some of the key trends and

topics at suppliers Day 2025.

So.

A couple weeks ago I had a chance
to talk with Sunnie Desai of

Kline + Company, and she brought
us a precursor to suppliers day.

And so if you haven't listened
to that yet, go listen in.

And I will say I saw some of
the same things and more, and

maybe a few different things.

I also have a couple recordings
for you with innovators, in the

chemical space and in the beauty
in personal care ingredient space.

So.

You're gonna hear some of that.

But what stood out for me and
people, across the conference asked

this question and you guys asked
this question, you know, what's

the sense, what's the sentiment?

What are the key trends?

And so what I'm gonna tell you is.

It is just as important.

What's missing as what was said.

So first of all, it was a big show,
a full show, lots of people here.

So everybody from, formulators and
brands and, personal care ingredients

companies, chemical companies,
the whole group of media and

innovators and other people buzzing.

So lots of great indie brands and a
lot of great innovations show up here.

In fact, I had the chance to talk with.

It's Christoph Krumm from Sironix
and you're gonna get a chance to

hear from him as well, where we
talked about the bio surfactants

that they're introducing today.

So what's interesting though is what's
missing, there's a number of things that I

think we're missing this year at Suppliers
Day that perhaps have been part of the

conversation for the past several years.

So let's just kick off with.

Sustainability.

The word sustainability and sustainable
was largely absent from conversations,

absent from the imaging and imagery
that companies are using on their

booths and their big displays absent
from the conversations other than when

people specifically brought it up.

And you know, why is that?

And as one person I spoke with today
said, well, at their company, we are

shifting from sustainability to innovation
and an innovation focus, and so that

is one of the key trends I've heard.

Of course, this is a place where there's a
lot of innovation and that's no surprise.

We're seeing innovations on the uprise.

I've been hearing this from leaders across
the industry and certainly saw this today.

I.

But what's missing is a
conversation on sustainability.

And I think that resonates with what we're
seeing across the industry generally, um,

across consumer sentiment and just the
changing dynamics of the world we're in.

Why?

Right.

Part of it is it's just really
stinking hard to get truly sustainable,

metrics and to make a difference.

And so kind, you know, companies
have moved away from some of those.

Big, sweeping sustainability
goals and getting more pragmatic.

Pragmatic about delivering value,
pragmatic about bringing innovation

to company, still sustainable.

We talked about that recently,
but doing it in a more

innovative, approachable manner.

And frankly, what's missing and
what I've seen missing across this

conference today is sustainability.

The second trend and what's important to
talk about, what's missing is natural.

a year ago, two years ago, the
word natural was used widely.

Everybody was talking
about natural products.

Natural ingredients probably went hand in
hand in a lot of ways with sustainability.

But natural is not something that I've
seen, that I've seen talked about.

It's been replaced with
plant-based, again, it's been

replaced with performance.

So big emphasis on performance, and.

That's one of the big things that
has been, that's been here, right?

So they shift from natural to performance

Here is Christoph Krumm from Sironix
talking about the performance trend and

how that is affecting their business
and their go-to-market strategy.

When we just think about the trends that
are, you know, trends that we've been

talking about here at the show today
that you guys think about and you look

at as you're taking your product to
market, what trends does it really hit?

Why, why are people.

Buying Furasoft from Sironix..

Christoph Krumm: It's
an interesting question.

If you had asked me this when we spun
out as a company, I would've told you

bio-based is the innovation, right?

That is the the reason for existing.

Yeah.

That's really not the case.

As we found bio-based ingredients
matter, people still want them.

The reason for existing
for us is performance.

People want to come to us for
something that gives really exceptional

foam and they want something.

Where they're gonna have that performance,
they're gonna have that mildness.

And they, they increasingly are coming to
us for sulfate and dioxane free products.

So they're looking to solve
some regulatory or consumer

driven innovation challenges.

And they're looking to do that
while maintaining the performance.

They don't wanna lose that brand
equity of the products they have now.

They wanna reformulate into
something that's gonna look, feel,

smell, and work, in the way that
they want those consumer products.

Victoria: and then, and
Sonny teed this up, a lot of

conversation about neuro cosmetics.

And so neuro cosmetics is this idea
that a topical treatment will, create.

Performance, not just
performance enhancements.

We're always looking for that.

We makes more mood and
neurological benefits.

not a hundred percent certain
where we're going with this.

Certainly it's a trend that's
talking about, what else is missing?

just from a pure display perspective,
there has been almost no displays

of like lab equipment and
formulations and stuff a year ago.

A bunch of these things
this year, just one or two.

So again, maybe moving a little bit
away from the technical, the chemistry

of it and more into the performance
of it, which I think is also where

this neuro, neuro cosmetics come in.

The other piece we're
talking about is microbiomes.

you know, I don't know, for me
personally, when I've been listening,

reading social media, watching
social media, all this stuff, I

keep hearing all about gut biomes.

Seems to be the thing that people are
talking about, but a lot of this is

about microbiomes on the surface of
the skin and the effect that that has.

Um, and so I think this ties in, in fact,
I think this is a whole trajectory of

what we're seeing between, this shift away
from using the words sustainability and

natural moving towards more innovation,
neuro cosmetic, plant-based microbiomes.

Still with a whole focus on performance,
and the opportunity to do so.

As I'm recording this, um, just
wrapped up day one of the conference.

In fact, I'm only doing day
one of the show this year.

So these are the key trends
and topics that I'm hearing.

I'm also integrating, as I
mentioned, a couple of interviews

that I did on the site.

Um, talking about some of these
performance improvements and

some innovations that companies
are bringing to market.

And again, it's all about innovation
for performance, which we're gonna

hear about when I talk to, my guests
that are on here and elsewhere.

So, thanks for joining me.

Thanks for listening.

Thanks for letting me
take you on the journey.

I'm actually, if you're watching
this, go watch this on YouTube.

I've got a lot of different video clips,
and some images that I've brought in.

And keep listening.

Keep following, keep sharing, and
we will talk with you again soon.

as we wrap up today's episode, I'm
actually bringing you a couple of

short interviews that I did on the
trade show floor at N-Y-S-E-C suppliers

Day with a couple of innovators that
are bringing new products to market.

So these are products coming to you
soon, both of which are tying really

into this performance trend, so
the first of which is John Harold,

who is the CEO of Ncco Verde.

And Cinco Verde is an
innovative new startup.

They're actually working
with independent chemicals to

distribute their products, and,

they have a new approach to zinc oxide
for sunscreen formulas and other things.

So, uh, just hearing about how that
product came to market, how it addresses

those trends is a really interesting
little clip and a new product that I

think you guys are gonna be excited about.

And the second one is Christophe
Crumb, who is the CEO of Sironix and

I met Christophe on a virtual event.

Back in like 2020 back when
virtual events were the thing

and we got into a breakout room.

And anyway, we got connected.

And it's been an interesting
to see Christophe's and Sara's

journey, as they've shifted
and transformed their focus.

And Christophe's already talked
about that today on the podcast.

when he started talking
about how their focus.

Is performance rather than being bio and
natural, although that is a fundamental to

their product that they bring to market.

So I think, um, some lessons that
you can learn from these innovators

is adaptability, identifying.

New opportunities, new markets, new
uses for some existing technology.

'cause in both cases, both, uh, Ziko
Verde and CI are using some existing

technologies that are in play already.

So anyway, Enjoy these little snippets
of insights from Suppliers day and

let me know what you think and if
there was anything that stood out

for you while you were at the show.

Okay, I am here with John Harold,
who is the CEO of Zinco Verde.

Hey John.

How you doing today?

Hi.

How you doing?

So tell us about who you are, just
briefly give us an introduction to you.

John Harrold: Oh, um, so I am a
biophysical chemist at Material

Scientist who works in developing
advanced materials in green chemistry.

Victoria: Awesome.

So tell me about Zinco Verde.

John Harrold: So, Zinco Verde is a
company that makes metal oxides using a

novel process that uses 99% less energy.

And because we're using less energy, we're
doing it in a process that we can actually

enhance those metal oxides that we make.

Victoria: Why are you
here at, uh, suppliers?

Say this here.

John Harrold: So, metal
oxides are in everything.

They are, quietly make mono life possible.

And one of the things that they're
in is sunscreen, which is our

beachhead market, pun intended.

Uh, so sunscreen, middle based
sunscreens are the ones you're

really supposed to be using.

And, but people that use 'em,
'cause they kind of suck, but

our material solves that problem.

We're able to make a sunscreen or a
customer's gonna make a sunscreen that

feels good going on and goes in clear.

And generally people will use it more

Victoria: because nobody wants
the zinc oxide like the old,

uh, surfers used to wear.

Right?

Oh, yeah, yeah.

That, that

John Harrold: stuff like
that goes on feel cakey.

And you look and look pasty.

That's not gonna happen.

because of our process, we're
able to make something that's

very consistent shape in size.

These, they're non nano, but they're
quite small particles and so they spread

out really well, very evenly spread out.

It's kind of like if you see a, um,
a screen like for your window screen.

Yeah.

And you don't notice that you're
blocking half the light coming

through because everything's
very evenly dis displaced out.

Right.

That's the same thing that's going
on with the, uh, materials when

it's spread out on your skin.

Victoria: What trends does this tap into?

So when I think about kind of personal
care and what's going on across this

business and industry, what trends do
you see fitting in that you guys are?

So, I'd say

John Harrold: there's a couple questions.

Number one is in the skincare
industry, there's this clean

beauty, which is really important.

There's people who are making, really
questioning with the ingredients right

inside of what they want, and they wanna
have something that's better for you.

So they know they, you use middle based
sunscreens, but they really want them.

And there's like.

Such a wealth of information
available for people.

People.

So they are seeking something better.

We're seeking a better material, and
then we can provide that for them.

We make our material here in,
in America, in Philadelphia.

So people also really like the domestic
supply chain for a number of reasons.

One, you know, if there's any
interruptions, our material just still

get made, so people are not worried about
it, not being able to find it if there's,

if there's trouble getting the materials.

So this is something we're really
excited about, but moreover, I think.

People want something that's
better for the environment.

Right.

But that's not really enough
for them to move, move people.

They want something that, well,
it's gonna be better environment,

but also needs to be significantly
better than what's out there.

Yeah.

Right.

So there needs to be sustainable.

They also needs to change,
move the needle a little bit.

Yeah.

And those things together needs be

Victoria: improved.

Yeah.

John Harrold: Yeah.

Are gonna get people to
change their behavior.

And that's, that's how we're in

Victoria: Love it.

Thank you.

All right.

I am with Christophe Krumm.

Who is the CEO of Cis they're
here launching a new product.

So, Christophe, tell us a
little bit about Sironix.

Christoph Krumm: Yeah.

Uh, so Sironix is a startup
company developing, new

surfactants platform technology.

We are a spin out from a
university, so we developed this

at the University of Minnesota.

Spun that out as cis renewables.

And we've been developing this platform
ingredient technology that's based

on bio waste, agricultural residue.

So we use otherwise waste materials,
turn them into valuable ingredients.

And in this case, uh, surfactants, and
those surfactants have really interesting

applications, especially in personal care.

Victoria: Yeah, and I think one
of the things that's interesting,

Christophe, that we talked about is.

That, unlike other bios, surfactants,
you're actually using traditional

chemical processing technology,

Christoph Krumm: right?

Yeah.

So we don't use fermentation, we
don't use enzymes To make this, we

use what we call simple pots and pan.

So, uh, simple reactors, pressure systems.

We use a solid catalyst, simple
distillation process and outcomes.

A surfactant that has really
unique properties, but it's

based on plant-based ingredients.

So we have a hundred percent active,
uh, and a hundred percent plant-based,

input, and we can drive really
interesting innovation with that

chemistry approach as an output.

Victoria: Awesome.

So when you think about this, and I
know you guys are here really promoting

your product, and it's ready for
formulations, it's ready for prime time.

What products do you see this going into?

Christoph Krumm: So our ingredients,
are in the rinse off category.

So we make onic surfactants
that have incredible foam,

they're incredibly mild on skin.

And that that foam feel that
you get when you rinse that off

leaves your hands feeling really
nice, or your skin in general.

And it's really mild on skin,
and that's something that a lot

of folks are looking to achieve
with their personal care products.

They want something that's gonna
give you that really nice foam,

gonna give you something that cleans
well, but it still feels good after.

It doesn't feel like it takes all
the oil off, your skin doesn't

feel like it strips your hair.

It still feels safe and natural in a way.

Victoria: Yeah.

Well, and in that course, that's
also when people are thinking

about bio-based products.

Mm-hmm.

They often think that it does.

Feel better, do better, et cetera.

Although

Christoph Krumm: that's not always
the case, although that is not always

Victoria: the case.

Right?

I often like to say, you know, why, which
was around and used for soap for years is

very harsh, very natural, and very harsh.

So it's not always the case.

Christophe.

Thank you.

Christoph Krumm: Thank you so much.

Outro: Thanks for joining us
today on The Chemical Show.

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For more insights, visit
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You can find me at Victoria King
Meyer on LinkedIn, and you can also

find us at The Chemical Show Podcast.

Join us next time for more
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