12 NEWS
Vytrus Biotech to build Barcelona production plant
Spanish cosmetic actives maker Vytrus Biotech is to invest around €3.5m ($4.1m) in a new production plant in Terrassa, near Barcelona. The 1,600 m2
manufacturing
and logistics facility will double the company’s physical footprint. Vytrus’ headquarters, R&D centre,
central offices and the rest of its corporate services will be maintained in the existing location on Sant Gaietà street, also in Terrassa, located just ten minutes from the new plant. With the new plant, the company
will have total facilities of about 3,000 m2
of surface area. In this first phase of investment
in the new plant, Vytrus estimates that it will be able to multiply its production capacity by three, which
Gattefossé marks 20 years in China
Gattefossé, the French specialist in lipid chemistry and plant-based ingredients for the personal care and pharmaceutical industries, has inaugurated its upgraded Technical Centre of Excellence in Shanghai. Expanded by over 60%,
will allow it to meet the increase in global demand for its natural active ingredients. The new facility, for which Vytrus
has taken a 15-year lease, will make it possible to respond to the growth in international demand for natural active ingredients for cosmetics.
The financing of this investment will be made around 50% with own resources and 50% with long-term bank financing. Vytrus reported sales growth of 75% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Symrise invests in fermentation specialist
Symrise has made a strategic equity investment in Cellibre, a US biotechnology company, to accelerate innovation in cosmetic actives. By partnering with Cellibre,
the German firm gains preferred access to proprietary, fermentation- based technology, enabling scalable production of high-value ingredients across food, beverage, cosmetics, and nutraceutical sectors.
With this investment, it said,
Symrise will leverage Cellibre’s world-class biotechnology platform to enable a more resilient supply chain, mitigating seasonal and cultivation variability. “This investment accelerates
our biotechnology roadmap and strengthens our ability to deliver
sustainable, high-quality solutions to our customers,” said Imke Meyer, Project Lead for Biotechnology at Symrise. “Together with Cellibre, we
will combine scientific expertise with application know-how and market reach to unlock new growth opportunities,” she added. Cellibre brings a significant track
record in designing and engineering microorganisms for the production of cultured natural products and
chemicals that are utilized in pharmaceuticals, functional health, beauty ingredients, industrial applications, and more. “Since 2017, we have been led
by the belief that biology is the future of manufacturing and we are committed to creating more resilient supply chains, delivering products that are lower cost and higher quality while limiting the impact on natural ecosystems,” said Ben Chiarelli, CEO of Cellibre. “This partnership represents
another external validation of our approach, technology, and team, and will leverage the Symrise team’s global market access and deep expertise in flavours, fragrances and cosmetics — creating powerful synergies for both companies,” he added.
IMCD to acquire Korean distributor Dong Yang
IMCD has inked a deal to acquire 100% of the shares in Dong Yang, a South Korean distributor of cosmetic ingredients. Founded in 2009 and based
in Seoul, South Korea, Dong Yang reported revenues of 55.3 billion Korean won ($38m) in 2024. With a team of 14 people and an R&D laboratory, IMCD said the acquisition Dong Yang will bolster
its presence in South Korea and broaden its product offering for the beauty and personal care markets. Dongjoon Lee, managing
director of IMCD in South Korea, said: “Their expertise, portfolio and strong technical and formulation know-how are a perfect fit with our strategy and will help us deliver solutions tailored to the highly globalised beauty market in South
PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE January 2026
Korea, where innovation sets the pace.
“With this addition, we will be
able to strengthen our position in South Korea and offer even more opportunities for growth to our teams, suppliers and customers.” The transaction is subject to
regulatory closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
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the facility now brings together advanced personal care and pharmaceutical laboratories, a sensory analysis room, a clinical testing area, and cutting-edge analytical instruments. Acting as a regional hub for
Asia, the Technical Centre of Excellence supports customers in China, but also Japan, Singapore or Korea, developing locally tailored formulations and providing technical training aligned with global trends. “With this state-of-the-art
world-class facility and a highly skilled local team, we are better equipped than ever to support our customers in China and across Asia,” said Gattefossé China general manager Jacky Chen. “We have enhanced our
capabilities with one-stop solutions and have driven innovative applications. We will continue this journey with unwavering confidence and long-term commitment,” he added.
The upgrade marks 20
years of Gattefossé’s presence in China. Over the past two decades, China has become a global powerhouse in both pharmaceuticals and personal care. As the world’s leading
beauty market, China is home to increasingly creative and sophisticated brands, said to be perfectly aligned with Gattefossé’s expertise in natural, high-performance ingredients.
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