What Groupe Berkem does

Groupe Berkem is a French specialty chemical industrial group founded in 1993 and headquartered in Blanquefort, France, with primary operations in Gardonne, Dordogne. The company integrates plant-based chemistry into conventional chemical applications across four business areas: Construction & Materials (wood protection, resins, paints), Health, Beauty & Nutrition (botanical extracts, nutraceutical actives, floral waters, lyophilisation services), Hygiene & Protection (biocides, agricultural crop protection, pest control), and Industry (alkyd resins, technical oils, bituminous coatings). Its core technology platform combines plant extraction, lyophilisation (12 freeze dryers at Chartres, capacities from 12.5 kg to 200 kg), resin synthesis via fusion and azeotropic reactors, and proprietary processes including SYNERKEM® polyphenolic superactivators and PhytoVec® chlorophyll-based encapsulation.

The group operates five industrial sites across Europe (Gardonne, La Teste-de-Buch, Tonneins, Chartres in France; Valencia in Spain) and employs approximately 250 people. It sells B2B to industrial manufacturers across construction, cosmetics, nutraceutical, agri-food, agriculture, and industrial coatings markets, with quote-based pricing on an ex-works basis. Distribution is conducted directly and through wholly-owned subsidiaries including Berkem America, i.Bioceuticals (North American nutraceutical distribution), Berkem Ibérica (Spanish extraction), and a 2026 joint venture with Groupe Dolidol for West African alkyd resin supply. The company was IPO-listed on Euronext Growth in 2021 (raising approximately €52M), pursued multiple acquisitions through 2023-2024, then returned to private ownership in December 2024 via a simplified tender offer and squeeze-out. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the group holds ISO 9001, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, MSC, and EU regulatory approvals, and is led by CEO Olivier Fahy.

Name

Groupe Berkem

Legal name

SAS BERKEM DEVELOPPEMENT

Website

https://groupeberkem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Groupe Berkem is a French specialty chemical industrial group founded in 1993 that integrates plant-based chemistry into bio-based alternatives for construction, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, hygiene, and industrial coatings customers across five European production sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals (Bio-based)

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532), Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing (311224)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Botanical Biopesticides & Plant Extracts (Essential Oils, Neem, Pyrethrins) (AFABAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stored Product Pest (SPP) & Commodity Protection (IMAIAHAM), Preservatives & Antimicrobials (Sorbates, Benzoates, Natamycin, Cultured Dextrose) (CRADAOAF)

Keywords

• Plant-based chemistry
• Botanical extracts
• Bio-based resins
• Freeze-drying services
• Wood protection chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Gardonne

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plant Extracts & Active Ingredients: Extraction and manufacturing of botanical active ingredients for cosmetic, nutraceutical, and agri-food sectors. Production includes floral waters (400 tonnes/year), dry extracts for nutraceuticals (50 tonnes/year), and dry extracts for cosmetics (30 tonnes/year).
2. Lyophilisation (Contract Manufacturing): Freeze-drying contract manufacturing services for food processing, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors. Work performed on a tailor-made basis, distinguishing Groupe Berkem across its activities.
3. Formulated Chemical Products: Formulation of wood protection products and chemical preservation solutions for construction materials. Approximately 4,800 tonnes per year of formulated products for Construction & Materials and Hygiene & Protection business areas.
4. Alkyd Resins: Synthesis and sale of alkyd resins for paint, construction, wood treatment, and ink industries. Includes 100% bio-based resin range launched in 2022.
5. Vegetable Oils & Proteins: Production and sale of organic vegetable oils (soy, sunflower, rapeseed) and textured vegetable proteins through Biopress subsidiary. Also includes lecithin extraction.
6. Ingredient Distribution (North America): Through i.Bioceuticals subsidiary, exclusive North American distribution of nutritional supplement ingredients. Through Berkem America, commercial development of Health, Beauty & Nutrition and Hygiene & Protection activities in North America.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Groupe Berkem is a French industrial group that manufactures and sells bio-based chemical ingredients and formulated products derived from plant raw materials. Its offering spans botanical extracts, floral waters, nutraceutical actives, alkyd resins, wood protection solutions, biocides, plant-based crop protection (OPSeed75), and vegetable oils/proteins, supported by proprietary SYNERKEM® and PhytoVec® technologies. The group also provides contract lyophilisation services from its Chartres site and operates across four business areas: Construction & Materials, Health/Beauty/Nutrition, Hygiene & Protection, and Industry.

Product overview

Groupe Berkem is a French chemical industrial group specializing in plant-based chemistry, integrating bio-sourced chemistry into conventional chemical applications across four business areas: Construction & Materials, Health, Beauty & Nutrition, Hygiene & Protection, and Industry. The company's product portfolio includes proprietary active ingredients (Pineol Premium, Biombalance, Ki'Leaft, OPSeed75, Cocoamind), technologies (SYNERKEM for plant superactivators, PhytoVec for chlorophyll-based encapsulation), floral waters (H2OLIXIR), wood protection solutions (ADKALIS), and industrial resins. The group operates through subsidiaries including I.Bioceuticals (North American nutraceutical distribution), Biopress (vegetable oils and proteins), Berkem America (North American sales), Berkem Ibérica (Spain extraction), Eurolyo (freeze-drying), and Lixol (resins). Core capabilities include plant extraction, freeze-drying, formulation, and resin synthesis across five European industrial sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Synerkem: Proprietary technology based on polyphenolic extracts designed to super-activate the performance of certain active substances in biocidal and phytosanitary products, allowing reduced chemical content while maintaining effectiveness.
• PhytoVec
• ADKALIS
• Eurolyo
• Lixol
• OPSeed75
• Chimical

Products and services

• OPSeed75 A grape seed extract solution concentrated at 75%+ OPC, approved as a basic substance under EU Regulation (EU) 2025/96 for its fungicidal effect. Manufactured in France from French grape seeds and designed to reduce copper use in crop protection while maintaining optimal protection. Compatible with copper products and usable in both conventional and organic agriculture.
• Pineol Premium Active ingredient from Groupe Berkem's nutraceutical range, launched in 2024.
• Biombalance Active ingredient from Groupe Berkem's nutraceutical range, launched in 2024.
• Ki'Leaft Active ingredient extracted from kiwi leaves, certified 100% natural origin, marketed for cosmetic applications.
• H2OLIXIR Floral Waters Range of 100% natural floral waters for cosmetic and personal care applications, produced at the Gardonne site with capacity of 400 tonnes/year.
• NOVATERM Connected Termite Bait System Connected termite bait system for termite control and prevention, representing an innovation in wood protection and pest control.
• Cocoamind Cocoa extract launched for cognition and emotional balance support in the nutraceutical market.
• Alkyd Resins (Bio-based Range) Complete range of alkyd resins including Classic, High Dry Extract, Urethane, Thixotropic, Phenolic, Waterborne variants plus Epoxy Ester and Limed Oil, including 100% bio-based versions. Used in paint, construction, wood treatment, and ink industries. Synthesised using fusion and azeotropic reactors at the La Teste-de-Buch site.
• Plant Extraction Services Contract manufacturing services for plant extraction including grinding, maceration, concentration, purification, spray drying, and encapsulation at the Gardonne site. Annual production capacity of 400 tonnes of floral waters, 50 tonnes of dry extracts for nutraceuticals, and 30 tonnes of dry extracts for cosmetics. Sectors served include cosmetics, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical.
• Lyophilisation (Freeze-Drying) Contract Services Freeze-drying (lyophilisation) contract manufacturing services for food processing, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors, performed on a tailor-made basis at the Chartres site. Operations supported by 12 freeze dryers with capacities from 12.5 kg to 200 kg, plus sifters, grinders, and clean room facilities enabling high-purity processing.
• Wood Protection & Construction Formulated Products (ADKALIS) Formulated wood protection products and chemical preservation solutions for construction materials, sold under the ADKALIS brand. Approximately 4,800 tonnes per year of formulated products for the Construction & Materials and Hygiene & Protection business areas.
• Organic Vegetable Oils and Textured Proteins (Biopress) Production and sale of organic vegetable oils (soy, sunflower, rapeseed) and textured vegetable proteins through the Biopress subsidiary, including lecithin extraction and granulation of oil cakes. Operates from the Tonneins site with 12,800 m² of covered area.

Quantifiable outcome

• Synerkem® technology enables significant reduction in biocidal and phytosanitary agent content while maintaining optimal product effectiveness
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Groupe DolidolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Joint venture between Groupe Berkem and Groupe Dolidol aimed at enhancing supply capacity in West Africa. This partnership supports the alkyd resin market growth and strengthens Groupe Berkem's geographic reach in the African region, aligning with the projected $37.46 billion alkyd resin market by 2030.
• Global Plant Exploration Program PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024In September 2024, Groupe Berkem introduced its Global Plant Exploration program aimed at discovering new plant species and active molecules. The program involves sourcing partnerships with plant producers to secure new botanical ingredients for the Group's R&D pipeline.
• i.BioceuticalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024i.Bioceuticals is an exclusive North American distributor of nutritional supplements, acquired by Groupe Berkem in 2023 to expand its bio-based nutraceutical offer in North America. It serves as the Group's distribution subsidiary for the nutraceutical market in that region.
• Berkem IbéricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Acquired from Naturex Iberian Partners in Valencia, Spain, Berkem Ibérica is specialised in plant and marine product extraction. It strengthens Groupe Berkem's extraction industrial tool and significantly increases production capacity, certified FSSC 22000 and MSC.
• Berkem AmericacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Commercial subsidiary with a team responsible for developing the Health, Beauty & Nutrition and Hygiene & Protection business areas in North America. Part of the Group's strategy to expand internationally.
• BiopresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023French producer of 100% organic vegetable oils and proteins, acquired in 2023. Mastery of soy bean crushing enables production of organic vegetable proteins and flours. Located in Tonneins, France, it extends Groupe Berkem's footprint in the agri-food sector.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Naturex (Givaudan): Headquartered in Avignon, France, Naturex was the closest French direct competitor in plant extraction before being acquired by Givaudan. Highly comparable botanical extracts portfolio across nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food, with overlapping customer base and production capabilities.
• Symrise: German specialty ingredients company with a strong Diana division in natural plant-based extracts for food, beverage, pet food, and cosmetics. Directly comparable in serving botanical actives to the same CPG and nutraceutical customer base as Groupe Berkem.
• Robertet: French family-owned flavours and fragrances house headquartered in Grasse. Natural raw materials sourcing and plant-based extracts business directly overlaps with Groupe Berkem's Health, Beauty & Nutrition segment.
• Indena: Italian company specialising in botanical extracts and active ingredients for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic markets. Direct comparability in plant extraction capabilities, regulatory expertise, and customer base.
• Seppic (Air Liquide Healthcare): French subsidiary of Air Liquide producing specialty ingredients including plant-based actives for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition. Direct French peer with overlapping botanical capabilities and B2B sales model.

Broad incumbents

• Givaudan: Swiss global leader in flavours and fragrances with massive scale, broad portfolio across plant extracts, and acquisition of Naturex. Represents the consolidated incumbent benchmark against which Groupe Berkem's specialty positioning must compete.
• DSM-Firmenich: Dutch-Swiss merged major in nutrition, health, and beauty ingredients with deep plant-based capabilities. A broad incumbent that competes for the same multinational CPG accounts as Groupe Berkem.
• BASF: Global chemical incumbent with a sizable agricultural solutions and nutrition & care division. Provides broad competitive backdrop for plant-based actives, biocides, and alkyd resins, though not specialty-focused.

Emerging players

• Kalsec: US-based specialty player focused on natural extract-based ingredients for food and beverage. Comparable mid-sized competitor in plant-derived extracts serving similar industrial B2B customers.
• Alban Muller International: French specialist in plant extraction and natural cosmetics actives. Smaller, niche peer with strong overlap in botanical cosmetic actives and similar French industrial heritage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chimical

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Groupe Berkem