Evonik acquires Botanica to expand active cosmetic ingredients market footprint

28 October 2021 --- Evonik is acquiring Swiss plant extract producer Botanica to expand its market footprint within the botanical system solutions and active cosmetic ingredients markets. The move comes among a string of acquisitions that further bolster Evonik’s Care Solutions business in the personal care ingredients space.

“The acquisition of Botanica reinforces and strategically complements the portfolio of Evonik’s active ingredients. In addition to ceramides and delivery systems, we expect now with the very attractive botanical active ingredients from Botanica to be able to serve our customers also in this growing market segment,” Lukas Notthoff, head of market communications for Evonik Care Solutions tells PersonalCareInsights.

“Botanica will bring to Evonik an increase on our sustainability offerings in terms of portfolio, and will contribute to continue and accelerated (double digit) growth business of our active ingredients. Together with investments in innovation, further acquisitions (both of portfolio and or technology) are part of our growing strategy.”

The purchase agreement has been signed and the acquisition is expected to close in November 2021.

“Finding a strong partner with a trusted sustainability record can be challenging. With Evonik, we feel confident that Botanica can continue to operate according to our philosophy while bringing our high-quality plant extracts to a wider customer base,” says Andreas Wälti, managing director of Botanica.

New market opportunities
With its presence in Switzerland, France and Germany, Botanica is a strong player in sustainable botanical extracts for the personal care industry, Evonik supports.

Its plant extracts are even traceable back to the field, according to Botanica.

Botanica will be integrated into the Care Solutions business line within Evonik’s life sciences division Nutrition & Care.

“The acquisition of Botanica is the next logical step for the Care Solutions business line as it transforms into the leading actives partner for the personal care industry,” Evonik says.

Other recent acquisitions for Evonik include the cosmetic delivery systems company Infinitec Activos (2021), the biotech company innoHealth (2020), Wilshire Technologies (2020) and ALKION Biopharma (2016).

Botanicals know-how
By drawing on Botanica’s plant know-how and extraction competence, Evonik will work on delivering a wide range of sustainable base extracts in order to strengthen its broad portfolio of actives.

Evonik will lead the active ingredient market, of which 40 to 50% is botanicals. Furthermore, Botanica’s highly customizable extracts will boost the portfolio of unique system solutions offered by the Care Solutions business line.

The division Nutrition & Care aims to increase its share of system solutions from 20% today to more than 50% by 2030.

“Botanica’s track record in customization, in sustainable sourcing and production, aligns perfectly with our goals to become the sustainable specialties partner,” says Yann d’Hervé, head of Evonik’s Care Solutions business line.

Sustainability at the core
The sustainable and fair trade practices underlying Botanica’s philosophy are already well known globally, according to Evonik.

Its ethical profile matches the strategy of Nutrition & Care, which has made sustainability its guiding business principle, the company supports.

Botanica employs 43 people and was founded by the Wälti family in 1998. With a portfolio of over 1,000 different plants available for extraction, Botanica offers customers plant extracts that are used for cosmetic formulations and are certified according to Swiss Organic Produce Regulation, ISO 9001 and CSE sustainability standards, including ISO 14001.

Plant extracts are even traceable back to the field, according to Botanica.

By Kristiana Lalou

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