SILAB
SILAB is a privately-held French specialty manufacturer founded in 1984 that develops and markets clinically-validated natural-origin active ingredients for the global cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics industry, supplying B2B customers across skin care, hair care, and dermo-cosmetic formulations from a single integrated site in Saint-Viance, France.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersSaint-viance, France
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SILAB does
SILAB S.A. is a French, privately-held specialty ingredient manufacturer founded in 1984 in Saint-Viance, Corrèze, that develops, produces, and markets efficacy-validated biological active ingredients of natural origin for the global cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics industry. The company's product portfolio is organized around two business lines — SILAB Cosmetics (active ingredients for healthy skin and hair, including anti-aging, moisturizing, firming, soothing, and scalp care) and SILAB Softcare (dermo-cosmetic solutions for compromised skin, including atopic dermatitis, acne, and wound healing) — supported by a proprietary technology stack spanning SILABSKIN® (skin analysis and ingredient development), SILAFILM® (dry film delivery platform), patented natural peptide extraction processes, FHB technology for chestnut-derived biopolymers, biotechnology platforms, cutaneous microbiota research, digital imaging, and spray drying preservation. All ingredients comply with the ISO 16128 standard for natural origin and are backed by clinical and consumer efficacy studies. SILAB monetizes through direct B2B sales of ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers worldwide, with multi-year contract pricing (specific values not publicly disclosed) and a distribution network spanning wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA, China, and Japan/Northeast Asia; 60% of revenue is generated internationally. The company employs nearly 400 staff (93% on permanent contracts) on a single 75,000 m² integrated campus that combines laboratories, production, logistics, and an on-site 5-hectare Agronomic Studies and Research Center, and holds AFNOR/ISO standards-setting mandates including leadership of the GT4 Terminology working group on ISO 16128.
SILAB firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SILAB
- Legal name
- Société Industrielle Limousine d'Application Biologique (SILAB)
- Website
- https://silab.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- SILAB is a privately-held French specialty manufacturer founded in 1984 that develops and markets clinically-validated natural-origin active ingredients for the global cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics industry, supplying B2B customers across skin care, hair care, and dermo-cosmetic formulations from a single integrated site in Saint-Viance, France.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SILAB industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cosmetic Active Ingredients
- NAICS
- Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)
Keywords
Where SILAB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-viance
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SILAB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Active Ingredient Sales: SILAB develops, manufactures, and markets efficacy-proved biological active ingredients of natural origin to the cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics industry. Revenue is generated through ingredient sales to cosmetic manufacturers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B ingredient sales to cosmetics manufacturers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
SILAB product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SILAB develops, manufactures, and markets efficacy-proved biological active ingredients of natural origin for the global cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics industry. Its portfolio of more than 100 active ingredients is organized into two business lines—SILAB Cosmetics (skin care and hair care) and SILAB Softcare (compromised skin)—and is built on proprietary extraction and processing technologies including SILABSKIN®, SILAFILM®, and patented natural peptide processes.
Product overview
SILAB develops, manufactures, and markets efficacy-proved biological active ingredients of natural origin for the cosmetics and dermo-cosmetic industry. The portfolio consists of two main product lines—SILAB Cosmetics for healthy skin and beauty applications, and SILAB Softcare for compromised skin—supported by the proprietary SILAFILM® technology platform. Key active ingredients include LIFTILIENCE® (phytopolymer for tensor effects), EXFOLACTIVE® (nopal-derived exfoliant), NEOLIPYL® (moisturizer), LONGEVICELL® (anti-aging), SENEVISIUM® (senescent cell clearance), EPIGENOMYL® (epigenetic anti-aging), and CICACTYL® (wound healing). All ingredients comply with ISO 16128 natural origin standards and international cosmetic regulations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SILAFILM®: Dry films from a unique technology combining naturalness and performance for cosmetic applications
- SILABSKIN®
- Actively Caring
- Fondation d'entreprise SILAB Jean Paufique
Products and services
- LIFTILIENCE® Natural active ingredient composed of chestnut functionalized helical biopolymers with triple action combining film-forming effect, retractation capacity, and adhesion properties. Used in skin care and hair care formulations for textured hair.
- EXFOLACTIVE® Natural active ingredient derived from Tunisian nopal flowers, designed for scalp exfoliating and hair care applications with demonstrated dandruff reduction, hydration, and comfort benefits.
- NEOLIPYL® Natural active ingredient providing a bulwark against skin dryness, designed for moisturizing and repairing skin care formulations.
- LONGEVICELL®
Quantifiable outcome
- LIFTILIENCE® reduces frizz surface area by 30% and immediately improves curl definition for up to 8 hours with mean satisfaction score of 8.0/10
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SILAB
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SILAB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
SILAB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- UEBT (Union for Ethical BioTrade)coreSILAB has been a member of UEBT since 2021, reaffirming its commitment to respectful sourcing of humans and biodiversity. The company uses UEBT's standard for guaranteeing strong ethics in botanical raw material supply chains, addressing social and environmental impacts while placing biodiversity at the heart of priorities.
- RFAR (Sustainable Procurement and Supplier Relations Charter)coreSILAB signed the RFAR Charter in 2024, joining over 3,000 signatories around 10 commitments dedicated to sustainable purchasing approach, combining economic rigor, mutual respect, and integration of environmental and societal challenges.
- CNA (Conseil National des Achats)minorSILAB is part of the National Purchase Council, a national network of nearly 20,000 professionals supporting evolution toward strategic models in favor of sustainable innovation and better practices.
- Cosmetic ValleycoreSILAB participates as a key member of Cosmetic Valley. Brigitte CLOSS-GONTHIER serves as Vice-President of the Board. SILAB is a founding patron of the Maison de la Cosmétique project. The company contributes to the development of French cosmetic innovation.
- BeeOdiversityminorPartnership for biodiversity monitoring through beehives installed at supplier sites. Analysis of collected pollen maps local plant life and detects potential deficiencies for targeted action plans.
- Save Coastal WildlifeminorSILAB Inc. (US subsidiary) partnered with Save Coastal Wildlife for Jersey Shore fragile ecosystems protection, including dune plant transplantation and waste collection.
- CDC BiodiversitéminorAssociation with CDC Biodiversité (Caisse des dépôts subsidiary) in the Nature 2050 program to adapt territories to climate change by 2050, financing preservation of biodiversity equivalent to constructed surface area.
- Centre National de la Propriété Forestière (CNPF)minorPartnership for reforestation projects in Nouvelle-Aquitaine region as part of sustainable forest management, covering over 4 hectares with potential climate benefit of 800+ tCO2 over 30 years.
- AFNOR and ISOcoreSILAB holds expert technical mandates with AFNOR and ISO for ISO 16128 standard. Delphine CREEL animates the AFNOR working group (GT4 Terminology) and leads Naturalité representation at AFNOR and ISO.
- Fair for LifeminorSILAB sources botanical raw materials with Fair for Life certification (nopal flower and meadowsweet) and Fair Trade certification (coconut) even when manufacturing non-certified products.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SILAB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Naolys: Naolys is a France-based specialist in natural cosmetic active ingredients developed through proprietary cellular biotechnologies—directly competing with SILAB as a similarly sized French boutique supplier of bioengineered cosmetic actives for skincare and dermo-cosmetics.
- Solabia Group: Solabia is a French family-owned specialty ingredients producer focused on biotechnologies and plant-based actives for cosmetics, nutrition, and microbiology—directly overlapping with SILAB's biotechnology platforms and natural active ingredient offerings.
- Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (IFF): Acquired by International Flavors & Fragrances, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics develops phospholipid-based and naturally-derived active ingredients for skincare and dermo-cosmetics, directly competing with SILAB's portfolio of scientifically-validated natural bioactives.
- Croda International: Croda's Personal Care division develops and supplies specialty active ingredients and botanical extracts to cosmetic and dermo-cosmetic manufacturers worldwide, competing head-to-head with SILAB in the natural-origin actives category across skin and hair care.
- Seppic (Air Liquide): Seppic, a France-based subsidiary of Air Liquide, develops and markets specialty excipients, active ingredients, and botanical extracts for the cosmetics, dermo-cosmetic, and personal care industries—sharing SILAB's French specialty chemical heritage and B2B ingredient supply model.
- Symrise (Personal Care): Symrise's Cosmetic Ingredients division supplies bioactive and naturally-derived ingredients for skin, hair, and sun care applications to global cosmetics brands, directly competing with SILAB in efficacy-proved natural actives, particularly through its Diana division's botanical expertise.
- Provital Group: Provital is a Barcelona-based specialty ingredient manufacturer producing natural and biotechnology-derived cosmetic active ingredients for skin and hair care—competing directly with SILAB in the natural efficacy-proved actives category across global beauty markets.
- Givaudan Active Beauty: Givaudan's Active Beauty division is the global leader in natural and biotech-derived cosmetic active ingredients for skin and hair care, directly competing with SILAB across anti-aging, moisturizing, and dermo-cosmetic categories with overlapping B2B ingredient supply models.
Broad incumbents
- Evonik Personal Care: Evonik's Personal Care & Hygiene division provides specialty ingredients including bioactive peptides, ceramides, and cosmetic actives—a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to SILAB but a much wider portfolio spanning non-cosmetic applications.
- BASF Personal Care: BASF's Care Chemicals division supplies a broad portfolio of cosmetic ingredients including actives, UV filters, and surfactants to global cosmetic manufacturers—overlapping with SILAB but operating at a much larger scale across many chemical categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SILAB social profiles
Digital presenceSILAB compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SILAB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SILAB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
SILAB subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
SILAB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SILAB M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SILAB
What does SILAB do?
SILAB develops, manufactures, and markets efficacy-proved biological active ingredients of natural origin for the global cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics industry. Its portfolio of more than 100 active ingredients is organized into two business lines—SILAB Cosmetics (skin care and hair care) and SILAB Softcare (compromised skin)—and is built on proprietary extraction and processing technologies including SILABSKIN®, SILAFILM®, and patented natural peptide processes.
Is SILAB a public or private company?
SILAB is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SILAB founded?
SILAB was founded in 1984. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is SILAB based?
SILAB is headquartered in Saint-viance, France, in the Europe region.
How does SILAB make money?
One revenue line is on record: active Ingredient Sales.
Who are SILAB's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Naolys, Solabia Group, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (IFF), Croda International, Seppic (Air Liquide), Symrise (Personal Care), Provital Group and Givaudan Active Beauty. Broad incumbents are Evonik Personal Care and BASF Personal Care.
Does SILAB have an API?
No public API is recorded for SILAB.
What industry is SILAB in?
SILAB's product category is Cosmetic Active Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEABAJ, Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients. Its NAICS code is 32561 and its SIC code is 2844.