Kalichem

What Kalichem does

Kalichem srl is an Italian privately-held specialty ingredients manufacturer headquartered in Rezzato (Brescia), producing innovative raw materials for the personal care and cosmetics industry. The company sells a portfolio of over 50 specialty ingredients organized into six main product lines: Olivoil Emulsifiers, Olivoil Surfactants, Functional Actives, Hair Care specialties, Oral Care ingredients, and Sunscreen and Deodorant ingredients. Its technology platforms are anchored in three core competencies: (1) vegetable-derived lipoproteins and lipoaminoacids produced by condensing olive oil fatty acids with natural amino acids to create amphiphilic emulsifiers and surfactants (the Olivoil platform), (2) functionalized hydroxyapatite and biomimetic expertise for oral care and skin applications, and (3) molecular biology and biotechnology, including patented biofermentation processes for postbiotics and plant-based polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) actives. Multiple products are internationally patented and the portfolio carries COSMOS/Ecocert, COSMOS/ICEA, RSPO, and ISO 16128 certifications, supported by a Top 1% EcoVadis sustainability rating.

Kalichem operates as a B2B raw material supplier targeting cosmetic and personal care manufacturers globally. Products are sold through a network of selected distributors covering 25 countries, complemented by direct international units in Italy, India, and China. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales, reinforced by formulation assistance services and active participation in major industry trade shows (In-Cosmetics Paris, In-Cosmetics Korea, Suppliers' Day New York). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is established via direct customer engagement and product information requests; the revenue model functions as ingredient sales to formulators, with the 'licensing_royalties' classification appearing to reflect value-add formulation services rather than IP licensing per se. Brand owners and contract manufacturers across skin care, hair care, oral care, sun care, and deodorant categories constitute the primary customer segments, with end-markets described as the global dermo-cosmetic industry.

The company is privately held with no disclosed parent company or institutional investors, though 'Our Group' video content references Lamberti, suggesting a possible affiliation or group structure that is not explicitly formalized in the available data. No funding rounds, M&A activity, or leadership changes are disclosed. Kalichem is actively operating, with a continuing cadence of new product launches, certifications, and international trade show presence through 2026.

Name

Kalichem

Legal name

Kalichem srl

Website

https://kalichem.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kalichem srl is an Italian B2B manufacturer of over 50 specialty raw materials for the cosmetics and personal care industry, built on patented olive-derived lipoproteins, biomimetic hydroxyapatite, and biotech platforms, sold via distributors in 25 countries and direct units in Italy, India, and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Cosmetic Ingredients

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Deodorants & Antiperspirants (CRADANAA), Hair Care (Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling, Treatments) (CRADANAE), Hand & Body Care (Lotions, Creams, Body Oils) (CRADANAC)

Keywords

• Cosmetic raw materials
• Specialty ingredients manufacturing
• Personal care actives
• Biomimetic hydroxyapatite
• Vegetable emulsifiers

Headquarters

HQ city

Rezzato

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cosmetic Raw Material / Ingredient Sales: Kalichem generates revenue by manufacturing and selling innovative specialty ingredients for personal care and cosmetics. Products are sold as raw materials to cosmetic manufacturers, with an ingredient portfolio of 50+ specialties distributed through a global distributor network and direct sales operations in Italy, India, and China. The company provides formulation assistance as a value-add service to drive ingredient adoption.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kalichem manufactures and sells over 50 specialty raw material ingredients for the personal care and cosmetics industry. Its portfolio spans vegetable-derived Olivoil emulsifiers and surfactants, biomimetic hydroxyapatite oral care ingredients, peptide-based hair care specialties, biotech actives such as PDRN and postbiotics, mineral sunscreen boosters, and natural deodorant actives, sold to cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers worldwide.

Product overview

Kalichem is a manufacturer of innovative raw materials for personal care and cosmetics, producing over 50 specialties across multiple product lines. The portfolio is organized into six main categories: Olivoil Emulsifiers (vegetable-based emulsifiers for O/W emulsions), Olivoil Surfactants (mild vegetable-derived cleansing agents), Functional Actives (bioactive ingredients including Kalibiome postbiotics, Kalilight, Peptilift), Hair Care specialties (Kerashaft peptide-based bond repair and conditioning technologies), Oral Care ingredients (biomimetic hydroxyapatites for remineralization), Sunscreen ingredients (mineral UV boosters), and Deodorant ingredients. Key technology platforms include Vegetable lipoproteins and lipoaminoacids derived from olive oil, Molecular biology and biotechnology for PDRN and postbiotics, and Functionalized Hydroxyapatite with biomimetic expertise. Products are backed by international certifications including COSMOS/Ecocert, ICEA, and RSPO, with upcycling of vegetable food byproducts following circular economy principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Olivoil Emulsifiers Vegetable and biodegradable emulsifiers based on olive oil lipo-polypeptides and lipo-aminoacids, creating liquid crystal emulsions while acting as skin moisturizers and soothing agents. Includes Olivoil Glutamate, Olivoil Avenate, Olivoil PCA, and Olivoil Pca variants. Sold as raw materials to cosmetic formulators.
• Olivoil Surfactants Mild, vegetable-derived surfactants containing lipo-polypeptides, lipo-amino acids and lipo-sugars from olive oil fatty acids. Provides gentle cleansing while moisturizing skin and hair. Includes Olivoil Fruttoside, Olivoil Glutamate LW, Olivoil Glutamate SP, and Potassium Olivate.
• Kerashaft Hair Care Series Peptide-based hair care specialties for disulphide bond repair, restructuring, volumizing, hydrating, and conditioning. Includes Kerashaft V (+325% sulfur delivery vs benchmark keratin), Kerashaft Q (professional detangling), and Kerashaft Alab (100% natural cationic conditioning).
• Kalident Oral Care Ingredient Biomimetic hydroxyapatite for daily tooth remineralization, dental hypersensitivity reduction, caries prevention, and whitening boosting. Cosmos ICEA approved. Sold to oral care product manufacturers.
• Kalilight Skin Brightening Active Innovative skin whitening and brightening active ingredient based on hydroxyapatite and stabilized glutathione. Modulates melanin production for skin brightening formulations.
• Kalibiome Postbiotics Selected postbiotics obtained through patented bio-tech processes for skin boosting, anti-aging, and microbiota care. Includes Kalibiome AGE, Kalibiome ECOGENETIC, Kalibiome SENSITIVE, and Kalibiome ORIS.
• Kaligen Vegan PDRN Vegan PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotides) sourced nucleobiotics that unlock native collagen power with biomimetic activation. Bio and plant-based nucleobiotics for skin rejuvenation, anti-wrinkle, and lifting action.
• Apalight Mineral SPF Booster Cosmos-approved mineral sun protection booster with internationally patented technology. Provides UV protection without nano particles and has an excellent environmental sustainability profile.
• Peptilift Biomimetic Endorphin Biomimetic endorphin in exclusive functional delivery system providing immediate wrinkle lifting, Botox-like action, and skin growth factors activation for revitalization and resilience.
• Stimucap Hair Fortifying Active Hair fortifying and revitalizing active, efficient regulator of physiological hair growth process. Works for both leave-on and rinse-off hair care applications.
• Fillederm Red Power Natural anti-wrinkle filler, bio-active and photoprotective agent, and natural alternative to synthetic pigments. Obtained through circular economy sourcing.
• DeoHap Dry Deodorant Active High-performing adsorbing mineral ingredient providing 48-hour sweat and odor control that respects physiological perspiration. Patented smart-deo active based on multi-functionalized hydroxyapatite.
• Kalhygienic Oris Bio-Protection Active Patented specialty of biomimetic hydroxyapatite functionalized with cationic surfactant promoting long-lasting bio-protection up to 4-5 hours after single application in oral care formulations.
• Kalinat PDRN Biotech PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotides) ingredient for longevity boosting with anti-wrinkle and lifting action. Pure DNA ingredient for premium skincare.
• Olivoil Glutamate Emulsifier Patented liquid crystal emulsifier based on olive oil fatty acids, designed for manufacturing silicon-like emulsions. Available in RSPO GRADE and Cosmos approved.
• Olivoil PCA Emollient and moisturizing lipo-aminoacid based on olive oil fatty acids and PCA. Ideal for skin care and rinse-off applications. Palm Free.

Quantifiable outcome

• KERASHAFT V delivers +325% sulfur on hair vs benchmark keratin, with -47.6% hair break-up vs leading green keratin benchmark and +17% hair volumizing on single hair units.
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seppic (Air Liquide): Specialty ingredients and actives for personal care, including emulsifiers, surfactants, and botanical actives. Highly comparable mid-sized specialty ingredients business serving the same cosmetic formulator customer base.
• Hallstar Beauty: Specialty ingredients and formulation partners for personal care and cosmetics, with patented ester chemistry and photoprotection expertise. Mid-sized specialty ingredient company with similar B2B model and proprietary technology positioning.
• Silab: French biotech company specializing in natural active ingredients for the cosmetics industry, with patented biofermentation and molecular biology expertise. Directly comparable to Kalichem's Kalibiome postbiotic and Kaligen PDRN biotech platforms.
• Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (IFF): Specialty ingredient supplier to cosmetic and personal-care formulators, offering phospholipids, peptides, and bioactive ingredients. Closest direct comparable to Kalichem in product positioning, customer base (cosmetic manufacturers), and B2B specialty ingredient model.
• Laboratoires Expanscience: French specialty ingredients company with patented plant-based actives for dermo-cosmetics, including biotech and upcycled ingredients. Comparable mid-sized specialty player with similar natural-origin and patented active positioning.
• Greentech Group: French specialty ingredient producer focused on botanical actives, biotechnologies, and natural cosmetic ingredients. Comparable in size, natural-origin positioning, and B2B ingredients model aimed at cosmetic formulators.
• Gattefossé: French specialty ingredients manufacturer for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, with lipid chemistry expertise and a global distributor network. Compares closely to Kalichem in size, technology focus, and customer profile.

Broad incumbents

• Evonik Industries (Care Solutions): Major specialty chemicals company with a dedicated Care Solutions business serving personal care, including specialty surfactants, actives, and biotech ingredients. Overlaps with Kalichem's Olivoil surfactant and hydroxyapatite platforms but as a much larger diversified player.
• Croda International: Global specialty chemicals leader with a large Personal Care division supplying ingredients across skin, hair, sun, and oral care. Overlaps with Kalichem across most cosmetic ingredient categories but operates at vastly greater scale and with broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Vantage Specialty Ingredients: Specialty ingredients manufacturer focused on natural, sustainable personal care ingredients including bioactives, esters, and performance ingredients. Similar B2B ingredients model with comparable scale and ingredient breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kalichem

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Kalichem