3M has announced it has acquired J.R. Phoenix Ltd., a manufacturer of hand hygiene and skin care products for health care and professional use including soaps, hand cleansers, moisturizing and protecting creams, antimicrobial soaps and sanitizing gels, shampoo and body wash. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Proper hand washing remains the primary defense in preventing the spread of infection, especially for health care professionals. J.R. Phoenix products are compatible with formulations containing the well-known antiseptic agent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and are formulated for frequent hand washers. Its hand hygiene products are sold under the Laura Line brand in Canada.

"The Laura Line brand products complement and build on our 3M brand hand sanitizers and skin creams product line," said Debra Rectenwald, president and general manager, 3M Infection Prevention Division.