Fujifilm Introduces Skincare Products to the European Market

LONDON, December 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Starting early 2012, expanding business in several countries

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH announces today the launch of Astalift skincare range into the UK and Europe, from February 2012. Since its introduction in Japan four years ago, the Astalift range has earned high user acclaim in this country among women eager to maintain youthful looking skin. As part of its efforts to expand the healthcare business, Fujifilm has initiated the worldwide introduction of skincare products, in which the company applies proprietary technologies. After introducing these products in China, 2010, the European market expansion is planned to start in 2012.

Fujifilm's Astalift range is a comprehensive anti-ageing skincare brand, developed using cutting edge core technologies accumulated over many years of research and development of photosensitised materials. These distinctive technologies include the findings of its' own collagen research, anti-oxidization technology and nano-technology.

Containing the skin-replenishing collagen and astaxanthin, an increasingly-popular skin conditioning agent approximately 1,000 times more powerful than the coenzyme Q10^[*1], the Astalift products are set to revolutionise the UK market for those women searching for youthful looking skin that 'reveal's its inner light'.

The UK premium beauty market has shown consistent growth for a number of years. Within the skincare category, demand for anti-ageing, brightening products and a complete daily regime continues to increase. The introduction of the Astalift product line into Europe is designed to respond to the needs of customers with age-related skin issues.

"Even though we are entering a market which is totally new to us, we have good reason to believe in solid growth and enduring success. It is good to know that we have the technological resources at our own command, that we can draw on experience in consumer product marketing, and that we can provide the strength of a global corporation with its worldwide network and shared services" says Mr Junji Okada, Managing Director of FUJIFILM Europe GmbH. "Entering the skincare market is a great chance for us to expand our business in Europe."

A new Business Division called European Beauty & Health Division has been established to coordinate the launch of Astalift in Europe. Andrzej Brylak has been appointed Director of European Beauty & Health Division.  The sales of Astalift skincare products will start in February, 2012 in France, with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain to follow throughout the same year.

About Fujifilm Corporation

Fujifilm Corporation is one of the major operating companies of Fujifilm Holdings. Since its foundation in 1934, the company has built up a wealth of advanced technologies in the field of photo imaging, and in line with its efforts to become a comprehensive healthcare company, Fujifilm is now applying these technologies to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the Medical and Life Science fields. Fujifilm is also expanding growth in the highly functional materials business, including flat panel display materials, and in the graphic systems and optical devices businesses.

About Fujifilm in Europe

Currently, Fujifilm entities operate in over 50 group companies in Europe and employ more than 5,000 people engaged in R&D, manufacturing, sales, and service support. Throughout Europe they serve a range of industries including medical, chemical, graphic arts, electronic materials, optics, recording media, motion picture, and photographic technologies.  Fujifilm Europe GmbH acts as Strategic Headquarters for the region and supports its' group companies in Europe by formulating marketing and corporate strategies.

^[*1]according to Fujifilm data