Evonik acquires French biotech company

• Evonik acquires strength in the area of sustainably developed ingredients for cosmetics
• Alkion Biopharma SAS extracts cosmetic actives from plant biomass

On April 6, 2016, Evonik Industries concluded a purchase agreement to take over the start-up Alkion Biopharma SAS, headquartered in Evry (France). The transaction is due to be completed in April. Alkion specializes in the development of biotechnological active ingredients for the cosmetics industry and was founded as a spin-off of the Imperial College London in 2011. Evonik is purchasing this company to expand the portfolio of the Personal Care Business Line in the area of active ingredients. The purchase price has not been disclosed.

"Thanks to its formulation and application expertise, Evonik enjoys an excellent reputation in the cosmetics industry. We are resolutely continuing along this path with the acquisition of Alkion," said Dr. Tammo Boinowitz, head of the Personal Care Business Line at Evonik. By taking over the French biotech company, Evonik is strengthening its portfolio of specialty active ingredients. "This allows us to offer customers product concepts to set themselves apart from competitors," said Boinowitz. Evonik is now able to offer its customers highly effective customized plant-based active ingredients that live up to their product claims.

Alkion Biopharma SAS is one of the leading manufacturers of biotechnologically developed cosmetic active ingredients. The company has developed methods for cultivating plant biomass under laboratory conditions and obtaining extracts from this with an exceptionally high yield of complex ingredients. The entire process takes place without altering the plant genome. "We are simply reinforcing the strength of nature. This results in unique, innovative cosmetic actives," said Dr. Franck Michoux, founder and CEO of Alkion. He believes the affiliation with Evonik will provide outstanding opportunities for successful marketing of this technology.