Evonik acquires Infinitec Activos

Evonik has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the privately owned technology-driven company Infinitec Activos, with closing expected by July.

The Spanish company focuses on the development and production of novel active delivery systems for cosmetic active ingredient applications. Infinitec Activos will be integrated into the Care Solutions business line of Evonik’s Nutrition & Care division complementing the active delivery systems acquired in 2017.

System solutions

This latest acquisition continues the portfolio shift of Evonik’s life science division Nutrition & Care towards system solutions, which are characterised by high growth prospects and above average margin potential. Nutrition & Care aims to increase the share of system solutions it offers from 20% today, to more than 50% by 2030.

“Proven active delivery systems offer great opportunities to innovate new cosmetic ingredients with scientifically proven claims. This allows our personal care customers to differentiate,” says Yann d’Hervé, head of Evonik’s Care Solutions business line.

With its portfolio of natural-based active ingredients and seven delivery systems, the integration of Infinitec Activos into the Care Solutions business line reinforces Evonik’s position as a sustainable specialties partner, while also further strengthening Nutrition & Care’s wide technology platform. By combining its existing actives portfolio with the new delivery systems, Care Solutions’ capabilities to generate new concepts for scientifically substantiated consumer cosmetic claims are significantly enhanced. The integration and roll-out across the existing platform of cosmetic solutions offers strong synergy potential.

“We are convinced that the synergies created will not only bring benefits to our customers and both companies, but also create new opportunities across the entire personal care and beauty market value chain,” says Alfonso Hidalgo, Partner of Infinitec Activos S.L.

Accelerated growth

Infinitec Activos continues the strong acquisition track record of Nutrition & Care. Since 2016, the division has acquired 10 companies with strong and complementary technology positions enhancing the entire product portfolio. Their successful integration has opened new markets, accelerated growth and created significant value.

The acquisition comprises 47 employees working at the company’s Barcelona Science Park head office, its manufacturing facility in Montornés del Vallès (Spain) and at its natural-based raw material producer, Naturethic. Founded in 2004, Infinitec Activos’ research and innovation focusses on building the next generation of cosmetic delivery systems with a highly qualified, science- and marketing-driven team. Customers include both small independent brands as well as global key accounts.

Infinitec Activos provides customers with individualised products. One example is its renowned, actively targeted, Cosmetic Drone proprietary technology, as well as its next-generation of PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid))-based delivery system. The Company’s new generation of actively targeted delivery system decorates surface particles with two peptides for dual-mode cellular targeting, while its core has been loaded with the desired active ingredient. Evonik expects to leverage the intellectual property in adjacent markets such as Health Care where it has already deployed its liposomal delivery technology.