What DRT does

DRT (Les Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques), founded in 1932 and headquartered in Dax, France, is a B2B specialty chemicals manufacturer specializing in plant-based chemistry and pine-derived ingredients. The company processes rosin, turpentine, and terpene derivatives—sourced as by-products from forestry, paper-making, and citrus production—into a portfolio exceeding 40 specialty products across polyterpene resins (Dercolyte), glycerol and pentaerythritol rosin esters (Dertoline, Granolite), terpene phenolic resins (Dertophene), polymerized and hydrogenated rosin esters (Dertopoline, Hydrogral, Foral, Staybelite), water-based dispersions (Dermulsene), terpene solvents (Dertol, Terpineol), and ISCC-EU-certified bioliquids and biofuels (Dertal). Core technical capabilities include proprietary multi-stream upcycling, biomass cogeneration delivering 69% energy efficiency versus 35% for conventional generation, and a 79% waste-recycling rate.

DRT operates a sales-led, direct-distribution model reaching customers through 10 international subsidiaries, 4 international commercial offices, and 9 production sites across Europe, North America, and South Asia. It serves three primary use-case segments: Fragrances and Perfumery (supplying aromatic notes such as aldehydic, citrus, floral, and woody olfactory profiles to leading global perfumers); Health & Nutrition (food- and cosmetic-grade ingredients for beverages, personal care, and chewing gum applications meeting demanding safety standards); and Industry (plant-based tackifier resins, pressure-sensitive and hot-melt adhesive formulations, tire and elastomer additives, coatings, terpene solvents for electronics, and renewable bioliquids for industrial boilers). Products are sold through quote-based commercial pricing in standard industrial packaging (25 kg bags, 190–220 kg drums, bulk), with formulation support provided to industrial customers.

DRT has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of dsm-firmenich since 2020, initially acquired by Firmenich International SA to secure direct supply of upcycled alpha-pinene and beta-pinene molecules for the Perfumery & Beauty business; the 2023 merger of DSM and Firmenich placed DRT within dsm-firmen's Ingredients division. Eighty-plus years of accumulated process expertise, FSC/PEFC-certified feedstock covering 90% of inputs, a 73% renewable-energy operating profile, and a 79% waste-recycling rate define DRT's positioning as a bio-based alternative supplier to petroleum-derived specialty chemicals.

Name

DRT

Legal name

Les Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques

Website

https://drt.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

DRT is a French specialty chemicals manufacturer (founded 1932, Dax) producing pine-derived rosin, turpentine, and terpene ingredients for fragrances, health & nutrition, and industrial applications, operating 9 production sites globally as a wholly-owned subsidiary of dsm-firmenich.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aroma Chemicals & Synthetic Flavor Ingredients (e.g., Vanillin, Esters, Aldehydes) (AFAJADAC), Textile, Leather & Paper Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAM)

Keywords

• Specialty chemicals manufacturing
• Pine derivative ingredients
• Rosin terpene resins
• Tackifier resin production
• Bio-based adhesive chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Dax

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemicals - Rosin Derivatives: Sale of rosin ester products including Dertoline, Granolite, Dertopoline, Staybelite, and Hydrogral brands. These tackifier resins are used in adhesives, coatings, and industrial applications. Products sold as flaked/pastillated materials in 25kg bags or bulk packaging.
2. Specialty Chemicals - Terpene Phenolic Resins: Sale of terpene phenolic resin products including Dertophene and Foral brands. Used in hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and industrial formulations. Available in various formulations including low-VOC options.
3. Specialty Chemicals - Polyterpene Resins: Sale of polyterpene resin products including Dercolyte brand (derived from alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and D-Limonene polymerization). Used in adhesives, tires, and various industrial applications.
4. Specialty Chemicals - Hydrogenated Resins: Sale of hydrogenated rosin and ester products including Hydrogral, Foral, and Staybelite brands. These offer oxidation resistance and color stability for demanding adhesive applications.
5. Water-based Dispersions: Sale of waterborne dispersion products including Dermulsene brand. Solvent-free dispersions based on terpene phenolic resins and stabilized rosin esters for environmentally friendly adhesive formulations.
6. Bioliquids and Biofuels: Sale of Dertal brand bioliquids and biofuels including Dertal 600, Dertal LV, and Dertal LO. Renewable alternatives to fossil fuels certified ISCC-EU, used in industrial boilers and heating applications.
7. Terpene Solvents: Sale of terpene solvents including Dertol 90 I and Terpineol Normal for technical formulas, inks, electronics, and fragrance applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

DRT manufactures and sells specialty chemicals derived from pine resins and turpentine, including rosin esters, terpene phenolic resins, polyterpene resins, hydrogenated resins, water-based dispersions, terpene solvents, and bioliquids/biofuels. The company serves three primary markets: fragrances and perfumery (supplying aromatic notes to leading perfumers), health & nutrition (ingredients for food and cosmetics), and industry (plant-based products for adhesives, tires, elastomers, coatings, and energy applications). Products are sold to enterprise industrial customers through direct sales via an international subsidiary and commercial office network.

Product overview

DRT (Les Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques) is a French manufacturer of natural resin and turpentine derivatives, operating as a subsidiary of dsm-firmenich. The company serves three primary market segments: Fragrances (supplying aromatic ingredients to perfumers with 80+ years of experience), Health & Nutrition (developing ingredients for food and cosmetics), and Industry (providing bio-sourced products for adhesives, tires, elastomers, coatings, construction, agriculture, and energy). DRT's product portfolio is organized around specialized resin chemistries: polyterpene resins (Dercolyte series including A 115, S 115, LTG, L 120, TS 105), rosin esters (Dertoline series including G2L, PLS, P 105, P2L, DEG 2, MG 105), terpene phenolic resins (Dertophene T 105, T 115, H 150), polymerized rosin esters (Dertopoline G, P 125), hydrogenated rosin and esters (Hydrogral, Foral, Staybelite), water-based dispersions (Dermulsene 222, TR 602, A 7510, RE 1513), terpene solvents (Dertol 90 I, Terpineol Normal), and bioliquids/biofuels (Dertal LO, LV, 600). The company operates 9 production sites worldwide and holds ISCC-EU sustainability certifications for its renewable products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dertoline: A brand of deodorized and stabilized glycerol rosin ester tackifier resins for hot melt adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, and other applications.
• Dercolyte
• Dertophene
• Dermulsene
• Hydrogral
• Staybelite
• Foral
• Dertol
• Dertal
• Granolite
• Dertopoline
• Polygral
• Reagem
• Zincogral

Products and services

• Dertoline (Rosin Ester Tackifier Resins) Deodorized and stabilized glycerol and pentaerythritol rosin ester tackifier resins, including Dertoline G2L, PLS, P 105, P2L, DEG 2, and MG 105. Recommended for hot melt adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, and various industrial formulations.
• Dercolyte (Polyterpene Resins) Polyterpene tackifying resins produced by polymerization of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and D-Limonene, including Dercolyte A 115, S 115, LTG, L 120, and TS 105. Used in hot melt adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, tires, and chewing gum base.
• Dertophene (Terpene Phenolic Resins) Light-colored terpene phenolic resins including Dertophene T 105, T 115, and H 150. Compatible with elastomers, waxes, and various resins. Used in hot melt adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, acrylic PSA, natural rubber adhesives, and industrial coatings.
• Hydrogral (Hydrogenated Rosin) Hydrogenated rosin products including Hydrogral, Hydrogral G, and Hydrogral P. Improves stability against aging and UV resistance. Used in pigment preparation, soldering fluxes, and anti-fouling marine paints.
• Foral (Highly Hydrogenated Rosin Esters) Highly hydrogenated rosin ester tackifier resins including Foral 85, Foral 105, and Foral AX. Pale thermoplastic resins with exceptional oxidation resistance and color retention for pressure sensitive tape, barrier coatings, and hot melt adhesives.
• Staybelite (Partially Hydrogenated Wood Rosin Esters) Partially hydrogenated wood rosin and ester derivatives including Staybelite, Staybelite Ester 3, and Staybelite Ester 10. Pale thermoplastic rosins with excellent oxidation and discoloration resistance for pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot melt adhesives, emulsion adhesives, and laminating adhesives.
• Dermulsene (Water-Based Dispersions) Solvent-free aqueous dispersions based on terpene phenolic resins and stabilized rosin esters, including Dermulsene 222, TR 602, A 7510, and RE 1513. Designed for pressure sensitive adhesives, contact adhesives, and industrial water-based adhesives.
• Dertol (Terpene Solvents) Terpene solvents including Dertol 90 I (pine oil/multiconstituent terpineol with very high terpene alcohol content) used as wetting agent in technical formulas, inks, and electronic pastes.
• Terpineol Normal Multiconstituent substance composed of Alpha, Beta and Gamma Terpineol - a clear liquid with citrus, lime and floral (lilac) odor notes. Used in fine and functional fragrances, solvents, specialty inks, and electronic pastes.
• Dertal (Bioliquids and Biofuels) Renewable bioliquids and biofuels including Dertal 600 (biofuel from tall oil pitch), Dertal LV (low viscosity bioliquid from paper mill by-product distillation), and Dertal LO (low viscosity terpene residue bioliquid). ISCC-EU certified 100% renewable alternatives to mineral oil, light fuel oils, and heavy fuel oils for industrial and communal boilers.
• Dertopoline (Polymerized Rosin Esters) Polymerized rosin ester tackifier resins including Dertopoline G and Dertopoline P 125 with high softening points for hot melt adhesives and masterbatch formulations.
• Granolite (Pentaerythritol and Triethylene Glycol Rosin Esters) Rosin ester products including Granolite P 118 and Granolite TEG for hot melt adhesives, solvent adhesives, and floor covering formulations.
• Polygral (Polymerized Gum Rosin) Polymerized gum rosin products for adhesives, printing inks, soldering fluxes, paints, and varnishes.
• Reagem (Hydroxylated Polyester Resins) Hydroxylated polyester tackifier resins including Reagem 5006 for reactive polyurethane hot melt and solvent-based polyurethane adhesives.
• Zincogral (Zinc Resinate) Zinc resinate products derived from rosin including Zincogral Z for adhesives and anti-fouling paints.

Quantifiable outcome

• 69% energy efficiency achieved through biomass cogeneration plants (vs 35% traditional)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• dsm-firmenichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020In May 2020, Firmenich International SA (now dsm-firmenich following the 2023 merger) completed the acquisition of DRT, strengthening dsm-firmenich's position as a leader in renewable ingredients for the perfumery and ingredients business. DRT operates as part of dsm-firmenich's Ingredients division, with the Perfumery & Beauty division utilizing DRT's turpentine and upcycling capabilities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Eastman Chemical Company: Eastman is a large diversified specialty chemicals producer with a portfolio that includes tackifier resins, terpene-based additives, and adhesives raw materials that overlap DRT's offerings at greater scale.
• Symrise: Symrise is a global flavors and fragrances house that sources terpene-based aroma ingredients overlapping DRT's fragrance raw materials business, and competes with dsm-firmenich broadly.
• Givaudan: Givaudan is the largest global fragrance and flavor house, sourcing aroma chemicals including terpenes that compete with DRT's perfumery ingredient portfolio.
• International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): IFF is a global F&F and ingredients platform that sources terpene-based fragrance and flavor ingredients competing with DRT's renewable aroma chemical offering.
• BASF SE: BASF is a global chemical conglomerate producing tackifier resins, aroma chemicals, and biofuel intermediates that compete with DRT across multiple end-markets at significant scale.

Direct peers

• Ingevity: Ingevity is a U.S.-based specialty chemicals company that produces pine-based tall oil and rosin derivatives for adhesives, coatings, and pavement markings. It is the closest direct competitor to DRT in pine-derived specialty chemistry.
• Kraton Corporation: Kraton manufactures styrene-butadiene and terpene-based specialty polymers for adhesives, coatings, and tire applications, directly competing with DRT's Dercolyte polyterpene resins.
• Kraton Pine Chemicals (formerly Arizona Chemical): The pine chemicals business historically operated as Arizona Chemical and was integrated into Kraton; it remains a leading producer of rosin, terpene, and tall oil derivatives that compete head-to-head with DRT.
• Lawter (Harima Chemicals): Lawter, a subsidiary of Harima Chemicals, produces terpene phenolic and rosin-based tackifier resins for adhesives and inks, directly overlapping DRT's industrial resin portfolio.
• Pinova Holdings: Pinova produces rosin-based specialty resins and terpene chemistries for adhesives, chewing gum, and flavors. It directly overlaps DRT's product portfolio in polyterpene and hydrogenated rosin ester resins.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-d%C3%A9riv%C3%A9s-r%C3%A9siniques-et-terp%C3%A9niques

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about DRT