What VIVIFY does

Vivify Specialty Ingredients (formerly Aakash Chemicals, founded 1980 and rebranded in 2021) manufactures and distributes specialty color ingredients — organic pigments, dyes, liquid colorants, additives, specialty resins, and food ingredients — for industrial and consumer end-markets. The company operates three manufacturing geographies (United States, India, and China), runs US-based laboratories staffed with formulation scientists, and exports to more than 50 countries. Its product portfolio is organized around core industrial lines (pigments, dyes, liquid colorants, additives, resins), branded industrial alternative pigments (Akafast, Akahue, Akafe, Akapearl, Akasol), and a food and cosmetics portfolio built through distribution partnerships (Calico, Heritage Color, Lycored, California Natural Colour, SciTech Ingredients, Divis Nutraceuticals) and acquisitions.

Vivify serves six primary end-markets: coatings (coil, powder, decorative, industrial, automotive), plastics, inks, food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, and agriculture. Regulatory and quality positioning is central to its value proposition: the company holds EPA certifications under 40 CFR 180.920 for agricultural colorants and FDA approvals for food-contact pigments and additives. The Sandream Specialties subsidiary, acquired through the November 2023 Access Ingredients deal, contributes a 1,000+ SKU effect pigment portfolio (Mica, Synthetic Mica, Glass Flake, color travel, pearlescent) targeting color cosmetics, representing Vivify's deepest move into higher-margin personal care.

The business model is predominantly B2B product sales with a direct, technically-supported sales motion. Revenue is generated through (1) sales of Vivify's own manufactured colorants and specialty chemicals, (2) distribution and representation of partner brands with associated markups, and (3) custom color matching and blending services delivered through in-house laboratories. Go-to-market is sales-led, supported by trade show presence (e.g., NYSCC), an online sample-request workflow, and content marketing through the company website. The company is a portfolio company of private equity firm Gryphon Investors, which has facilitated two acquisitions in 2023 — Reitech Corporation (pigment dispersions, February) and Access Ingredients (personal care specialty ingredients, November) — establishing an active buy-and-build growth posture. No public revenue, headcount, or pricing data is disclosed.

Name

VIVIFY

Legal name

Vivify

Website

https://vivifycompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vivify Specialty Ingredients is a PE-backed (Gryphon Investors) manufacturer and distributor of specialty color ingredients — pigments, dyes, liquid colorants, additives, resins, and food ingredients — serving coatings, plastics, inks, food and beverage, cosmetics, and agriculture customers across 50+ countries from US, Indian, and Chinese production.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Colorants and Pigments

NAICS

Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513), Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (325130), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Pigments & Dyes (IMAEAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Synthetic/Artificial Colorants (FD&C Dyes, Lake Pigments) (AFAJAEAC), Application-Specific Color Solutions (Beverage, Dairy, Confectionery, Bakery, Savory, Pet Food) (AFAJAEAH), Color Blends & Formulation Systems (Standardized Blends, Shade Matching) (AFAJAEAF), Colors & Color Systems (Natural/Artificial, Caramel Colors) (CRADAOAG)

Keywords

• Specialty colorants manufacturing
• Organic pigments supply
• Industrial dyes distribution
• Food color ingredients
• Effect pigments cosmetics

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Own Manufactured Colorants: Vivify manufactures and distributes its own line of organic pigments, dyes, liquid colorants, additives, resins, waxes, and specialty chemicals. Revenue is generated through direct product sales to customers across multiple industries including coatings, plastics, inks, agriculture, cosmetics, and food & beverage.
2. Product Distribution / Representation: Vivify represents partner brands (Calico, Heritage Color, Sandream Specialties, California Natural Colour, Lycored, SciTech Ingredients, Divis Nutraceuticals) and distributes their products as part of its broad portfolio, generating revenue through product markups and distribution margins.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vivify manufactures and distributes a broad portfolio of organic pigments, dyes, liquid colorants, additives, specialty resins, and food color ingredients for use in coatings, plastics, inks, food & beverage, cosmetics, and agriculture applications. The company operates US-based laboratories and global manufacturing in the US, India, and China, providing custom color matching, blending, and regulatory support.

Product overview

Vivify Specialty Ingredients is a color ingredients innovation company that manufactures and distributes a broad portfolio of pigments, dyes, liquid colorants, additives, resins, waxes, specialty chemicals, and food ingredients globally. The company operates with 40+ years of experience and exports to 50+ countries. Their product ecosystem includes core product lines (Pigments, Dyes, Liquid Colorants, Additives, Resins) and specialized offerings (Food Colors via Calico brand, Food Ingredients, Fine Chemicals). Key branded product lines include Akafast, Akahue, Akafe, Akapearl, and Akasol for industrial applications, along with Sandream Specialties for cosmetics effect pigments acquired through Access Ingredients. The company provides technical expertise, color matching, custom blending, and quality control services, with manufacturing in the US, India, and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sandream Specialties: Delivers color cosmetic inspiration through the largest portfolio of Effect pigments in the industry, featuring Mica, Synthetic Mica, and Glass Flake based offerings with 1,000+ color portfolio including Majestic, Fiesta, and Illumina lines.

Products and services

• Organic Pigments Organic pigments sold to industrial manufacturers across coatings, plastics, inks, agriculture, and textile applications, with Vivify Alternatives that match or exceed the performance of major industrial reference pigments at competitive prices.
• Liquid Colorants Liquid colorants for industrial applications and EPA-certified liquid colorants for agriculture use, including formulations approved under 40 CFR 180.920.
• Dyes Industrial dyes sold to manufacturers, including Salt-Free Dyes, Inkjet Dyes (powder and liquid), FD&C Dyes, Pond Dyes, Solvent Dyes, Vat Dyes, Acid Dyes, Basic Dyes, Direct Dyes, and Disperse Dyes.
• Specialty Resins Specialty resins sold to industrial coating and plastic manufacturers as part of Vivify's formulated color and additive systems.
• Additives Slip additives and specialty additives formulated for coatings, plastics, and inks applications.
• Food Colors (Calico Natural & Synthetic Colorants) Natural and synthetic food colorants distributed under the Calico brand in the US, including FD&C colors, natural colors from fruits and vegetables, and carotenoids for food and beverage applications, with labeling and regulatory support.
• Food Ingredients Food-grade ingredients including sugar and sodium enhancers, turmeric, beetroot, paprika, spirulina, lycopene, beta-carotene, carmine, caramel, and anthocyanins, along with natural colors for pet food.
• Fine Chemicals Specialty fine chemicals sold to manufacturers for use across various industrial applications.
• Sandream Specialties Effect Pigments Cosmetic-grade effect pigments sold to color cosmetic and personal care manufacturers, including Mica, Synthetic Mica, Glass Flake, color travel, pearlescent, matte, pastel, and neon pigments, with 1,000+ color options spanning Majestic, Fiesta, and Illumina lines.
• Akafast Pigments High-performance Akafast Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, and Violet pigments with FDA-compliant grades (e.g., Akafast Yellow HPP) for use in coatings, inks, and plastics applications.
• Akapearl Pearlescent Pigments Silver white pearlescent pigments (anatase and rutile grades) with multiple particle sizes, sold for agriculture, coatings, inks, and plastics applications.
• Vivify Industrial Alternatives to Reference Pigments Proprietary alternative pigments that compete with industrial reference pigments (e.g., Novoperm Orange HL 70, Hostaperm Pink E, PV Fast Red D3G) on comparable or superior performance at competitive price points, targeted at coatings, plastics, and inks manufacturers.
• Natural Colors for Pet Food Natural color solutions for pet food, including beet powder, turmeric, spinach powder, carrot juice concentrate, and blueberry powder.
• Reitech Pigment Dispersions Pigment dispersions manufactured by Reitech Corporation (a wholly owned Vivify subsidiary since February 2023) and sold to industrial customers across multiple end markets.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CalicocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalico is a Canadian natural color ingredient company represented by Vivify. Calico Natural & Synthetic Colorants serve the US market, providing a complete line of colorants for food and beverage applications.
• Heritage ColorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHeritage Color is a partner company within the Vivify group of companies, offering specialty color solutions for various industrial applications.
• Sandream SpecialtiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSandream Specialties is a subsidiary of Vivify and a leading supplier of effect pigments for the cosmetics and personal care industry. They deliver the largest portfolio of Effect pigments in the industry with over 1,000+ color options including Mica, Synthetic Mica, Glass Flake, color travel pigments, and pearlescent pigments. Vivify acquired Access Ingredients which included Sandream Specialties as an existing subsidiary.
• Access IngredientscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess Ingredients was acquired by Vivify Specialty Ingredients in November 2023 as a distributor of specialty ingredients and surfactants for the personal care industry. The acquisition expanded Vivify's portfolio in personal care and cosmetics sectors. Access Ingredients continues to operate under its existing leadership.
• California Natural ColourminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia Natural Colour is a partner providing natural color concentrates and dried crystals to food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. They offer true natural colors derived from fruits and vegetables.
• LycoredminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLycored is a global leader in lycopene and beta-carotene based color ingredients for food and beverages. Their products deliver yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds that withstand demanding processing and storage conditions.
• SciTech IngredientsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSciTech Ingredients provides proprietary flavor enhancers for sweetness, salinity, and bitterness perception, as well as booster flavors for mouth feel in reduced-sugar products. Vivify distributes their sugar and sodium enhancement products.
• Divis NutraceuticalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDivis Nutraceuticals is represented by Calico (a Vivify company) in Canada. They provide high-quality carotenoid and vitamin ingredient solutions compliant with US and EU regulatory requirements for food, dietary supplements, and animal feed.
• Reitech CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReitech Corporation was acquired by Vivify Specialty Ingredients in February 2023. It is a pigment dispersions manufacturer that expanded Vivify's product offerings and customer base in specialty dispersions, with strategic opportunities across various end markets.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LANXESS: LANXESS is a global specialty chemicals company with a significant Inorganic Pigments business (iron oxides, chrome oxides) serving coatings, plastics, and construction applications. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Vivify in the same industrial pigment categories but at substantially greater scale.
• Clariant: Clariant is a Swiss specialty chemicals company with a Pigments division offering organic pigments and pigment preparations for coatings, plastics, and inks. Although it has rationalized parts of its portfolio, it remains a broad incumbent competing with Vivify in industrial reference pigments.
• Sun Chemical (DIC Corporation): Sun Chemical, part of Japan's DIC, is one of the world's largest producers of pigments, dyes, and printing inks, with overlap to many of Vivify's reference pigment targets (e.g., PV Fast, Hostaperm lines). It is a far larger broad incumbent, but directly competes in the same industrial alternative pigment category.
• BASF (Colors & Effects): BASF's Colors & Effects (now divested to DIC but historically a benchmark) offered organic and inorganic pigments, effect pigments, and pigment preparations spanning coatings, plastics, printing, cosmetics, and agriculture, the same verticals Vivify addresses. As a broad incumbent, it sets competitive benchmarks that Vivify must meet or undercut.

Direct peers

• Heubach Group: Heubach is a global pigments manufacturer focused on organic and inorganic pigments, pigment preparations, and anti-corrosion pigments serving coatings, plastics, and inks. The product portfolio and target verticals closely match Vivify's coatings and plastics pigment business.
• Cathay Industries: Cathay Industries is one of the world's largest producers of iron oxide and inorganic pigments with manufacturing in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, directly comparable to Vivify's Akafe iron oxide reds and tri-region manufacturing model for industrial pigments.
• Sensient Technologies: Sensient is a global specialty ingredients company with a dedicated Colors division covering food, beverage, cosmetics, and industrial applications including pigments and dyes. Its business model, product breadth across synthetic and natural colorants, and vertical coverage closely mirror Vivify's multi-industry colorants platform.
• Merck KGaA (EMD Group / Performance Materials): EMD Performance Materials is a leading supplier of effect pigments (silica, mica-based, color travel, pearlescent) for cosmetics and industrial coatings, directly comparable to Vivify's Sandream Specialties effect pigment portfolio. Both target the cosmetics color cosmetic market with similar pigment chemistries.
• Dayglo Color Corporation: Dayglo is a specialty manufacturer of fluorescent and daylight pigments serving cosmetics, plastics, inks, and coatings, directly comparable to Vivify's niche pigment dispersions and specialty colorant lines. Both compete in effect and specialty pigment segments.

Regional players

• Koel Colours: Koel Colours is an India-based specialty colorants manufacturer serving food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care with pigment dispersions, lakes, and natural colors. It is regionally comparable to Vivify's India manufacturing operation and Calico natural colorants business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AakashChemicals
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vivifycompany

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VIVIFY