Clariant acquires OTC in a bid to increase its capabilities in active ingredients

By Simon Pitman

- Last updated on GMT

Swiss fine chemicals player Clariant has acquired formulation technology company Oberhausen Technology Centre (OTC) in a bid to strengthen its position in the cosmetics arena.

Germany-based OTC is a privately owned company specialising in formulation expertise that focuses on sustainable and innovative technologies that also combine cost efficiencies for consumer products.

On the ingredients front its area of specialisation is the development of delivery technologies for micronized active ingredients, which offer functional properties for a variety of formulations in the cosmetic and personal care area, specifically skin care and hair care.

OTC acquisition opens up more capabilities in actives

“OTC gives us an entry into advanced delivery systems for actives and provides us with access to innovative formulation technologies, complementing our own portfolio,”​ said head of Clariant ICS business unit, Michael Willcome.

The combined capabilities will ultimately help the company bring technologically more advanced active ingredients with a wider variety of applications to the market faster.

Financial details of the acquisition were not made available, but the move falls in line with the company’s focus on expanding its industrial and consumer specialties business.

Manufacturing partner with Kitozyme

In line with this strategy, the company forged a manufacturing partnership with Kitozyme, that will help it break into the evolving area of biolpolymers.

The long-term partnership will mean that the complete range of KitoZyme biolpolymers will be available from October 2011 under the Clariant name, and marketed as ‘Vitipure’, ‘Zenvivo’ and ‘Velsan’.

Underlining the fact that these extracts are by-products, the companies are able to make valid claims that the ingredient range is both sustainable and eco-friendly.

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