Advancing safe, effective & sustainable alternative preservation options
PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 29, 2021 — U.S. Patent 10,897,899Inolex is pleased to announce its recently issued patent that claims multifunctional preservation systems comprising caprylhydroxamic acid (CHA) and select diols for cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. The patent claims the use of these ingredient compositions in formulations as well as blends comprising the CHA-diol compositions.
Caprylhydroxamic acid is a 100% natural and readily biodegradable chelating agent derived from coconut-sourced caprylic acid. CHA is a biostatic ingredient that provides a strong hurdle to microbial growth across a wide pH range (pH 4-8). Robust broad spectrum protection against contamination by bacteria, yeast, and mold is achieved via combination of CHA with medium chain terminal diols, such as caprylyl glycol, glyceryl caprylate, or caprylyl glyceryl ether.
“We have been advancing the industry with innovative preservation approaches for over two decades,” said David Plimpton, CEO and President of Inolex. “This latest patent demonstrates our leadership in this category. Our broad portfolio of CHA offerings exemplifies our drive to bring effective alternative preservation mainstream.”
The company offers its portfolio of CHA-diol broad spectrum systems under the Spectrastat™ brand, with particular emphasis on 100% natural systems, such as Spectrastat™ G2 Natural MB (INCI: Caprylhydroxamic Acid (and) Glyceryl Caprylate (and) Glycerin).
The patent granted recognizes Inolex’s ongoing commitment to innovation in the field of safe, effective, and sustainable options for preservation of formulated products. In October 2020, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) released its final report on the safety of caprylhydroxamic acid as used in cosmetics, in which the independent Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety concluded that CHA is safe as used in the present practices of the industry. This conclusion further validated the outstanding track record of safety associated with CHA.
According to Dr. Michael Fevola, Vice President of Research & Development at Inolex, “As a company we have established high safety and transparency standards for all of our technologies. We proactively contributed our entire archive of safety and toxicological data on CHA for the benefit of our customers and their consumers. Inolex also commissioned additional clinical safety studies and a quantitative risk assessment as requested by the Expert Panel to validate CHA safety at all use levels reported by CIR.”
To date, the use of CHA has been reported in over 5,000 product SKUs around the world, as documented by the Mintel Global New Products Database.
Related News

See Inolex at NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2026
May 2026Visit us at Suppliers' Day for an early look at a new sun care ingredient, designed to stabilize organic UV filters, address BEMT recrystallization challenges, and support high filter loads while elevating sensory performance. Plus, two Allē Awards finalists, featured speakers, and new anti-frizz prototypes free from silicones, quats, and parabens. Booth 1807, Javits Center, May 19–20.

Meet Jennie Creech, Inolex's Director of Product Sustainability
May 2026Jennie Creech leads product sustainability at Inolex, embedding sustainable design deeper into how the company builds its ingredients.

Meet Jennifer O'Hara, Inolex's Director of Marketing and Commercialization
May 2026Jen O'Hara leads marketing and commercialization at Inolex, bringing R&D depth and market instinct to one role. Her focus: making sure sustainable chemistry doesn't just work in the lab, but lands with the customers and consumers who use it.