Akema

What Akema does

Akema is an Italian family-owned specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1973 and headquartered in Coriano, near Rimini, Italy. The company produces allantoin, a portfolio of functional allantoin derivatives, and a broad range of cosmetic preservation systems entirely in-house at its Italian plant, with full traceability and quality control over synthesis, manufacture, and packaging. Its product range spans more than 40 preservation SKUs (covering natural, preservative-free, traditional, and boosted systems), 11 allantoin-based actives for skin protection, soothing, and healing applications, and high-purity cosmetic-grade glyoxylic acid for hair straightening formulations that comply with EU and international regulatory limits.

Akema serves B2B customers in the personal care and cosmetics industry, primarily cosmetic formulators and R&D teams as well as natural and organic cosmetics brands requiring COSMOS-approved ingredients. The company differentiates on 50 years of specialized expertise in allantoin chemistry, multiple natural-origin certifications (COSMOS, Ecocert, BDIH, NaTrue), and in-house laboratory services including preservative efficacy challenge testing and custom formulation support. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales distributed via a global network of authorized distributors covering more than 70 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Oceania. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly disclosed, and the company participates annually in major industry trade shows including In-Cosmetics Global, In-Cosmetics Asia, and Making Cosmetics to support brand visibility and customer acquisition.

Name

Akema

Legal name

Akema S.r.l.

Website

https://akema.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Akema is an Italian family-owned manufacturer founded in 1973 that produces allantoin, allantoin derivatives, and cosmetic preservation systems in-house, serving cosmetic formulators and natural/organic brands worldwide through a distributor network spanning over 70 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetic Ingredients Manufacturing

NAICS

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256), Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAEABAJ

Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Chemicals & Industrial Materials/Specialty Chemicals

Keywords

• Cosmetic ingredient manufacturing
• Allantoin derivatives
• Cosmetic preservation systems
• Glyoxylic acid hair care
• Natural cosmetic preservatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Coriano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

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. Cosmetic Ingredients Manufacturing & Sales: Akema manufactures and sells high-performance cosmetic ingredients including allantoin, derivatives, and preservation systems. Products are produced in-house at the Italian facility and distributed globally through distributors. Revenue is generated through product sales to cosmetic formulators and manufacturers worldwide.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Akema manufactures and sells high-performance cosmetic ingredients — including allantoin and its functional derivatives, a broad portfolio of cosmetic preservation systems (natural, traditional, and preservative-free), and glyoxylic acid grades for hair straightening — produced entirely in-house at its Italian plant. The company supplements the ingredients with in-house R&D services such as preservative efficacy (challenge) testing, formulation compatibility checks, and tailor-made technical assistance for formulators worldwide.

Product overview

Akema is an Italian manufacturer specializing in high-performance cosmetic ingredients with three main product categories: (1) Allantoin & Derivatives - including pure Allantoin, pharmaceutical grade Allantoin EP/USP, and 10 functional derivatives (Alcloxa, Aldioxa, Alpantha, Alglycera, Almeth, and Allantoin complexes with Calcium Pantothenate, VC, Benzocaine, and Zinc Undecylenate); (2) Cosmetic Preservation Systems - offering 40+ preservative products across natural preservation (KEM NAT series), preservative-free solutions (STABIL series), traditional preservation (KEMIDANT, KEMABEN series), and preservation with boosters (KEM DIOL, KEM EHG, KEM WIPE series); (3) Glyoxylic Acid - for hair straightening and conditioning (GLYOX YLIC ACID 50H and GLYOX YLIC ACID 50). All ingredients are 100% manufactured in Italy with in-house R&D support including challenge testing and formulation assistance. Products are distributed worldwide through a network in over 70 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kem Nat: COSMOS-approved broad spectrum preservative system for natural and organic cosmetics.
• Kem Nat β
• Kem Nat Lite
• Kem Nat ECO
• Kem E
• Kem BB
• Kem BBD
• Stabil
• Stabil Zero
• Kemidant
• Allantoin
• Alcloxa
• Aldioxa
• Alpantha
• Alglycera
• Almeth
• Glyoxylic Acid 50H
• Glyoxylic Acid 50

Products and services

• Allantoin & Derivatives Comprehensive portfolio of allantoin pure grade and functional derivatives for skin protection, soothing, healing, and moisturizing applications across cosmetic and topical pharmaceutical formulations. Includes pure Allantoin (skin protectant), pharmaceutical-grade Allantoin EP/USP, and 10 functional derivatives combining allantoin with complementary actives (aluminium salts, panthenol, glycyrrhetinic acid, acetyl methionine, calcium pantothenate, ascorbate, benzocaine, zinc undecylenate). These multifunctional ingredients deliver keratolytic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antioxidant, anti-seborrhoeic, anti-acne, whitening, and antifungal properties.
• Glyoxylic Acid Two cosmetic-grade glyoxylic acid grades (50H high-purity and 50% water solution) supplying the hair straightening and conditioning segment. Formulated to comply with EU and international cosmetic regulations, with the 50H grade enabling use levels up to 25% while staying within the 100 ppm glyoxal impurity limit.
• Kem Nat Series — Natural Preservation COSMOS-approved broad-spectrum natural preservation systems for natural and organic cosmetics, comprising Kem Nat (Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate), Kem Nat β (Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol), Kem Nat Lite (Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid; 80% natural origin), and Kem Nat Eco (100% vegetal origin). Effective across pH 4–8 against bacteria, yeasts, and moulds; used at 0.5–1.0% in formulation.
• Kem E Series Liquid natural-identical broad-spectrum preservation blends (Kem E and Kem E2) for certified natural and organic cosmetics across multiple international certifications.
• Kemidant Series — DMDM Hydantoin-based Preservation Traditional DMDM Hydantoin-based preservation system available in powder, solution, and synergistic-blend variants (Kemidant, Kemidant L, Kemidant L 40, Kemidant 2000, Kemidant Plus, Kemidant L Plus, Kemidant IP, Kemidant K). Highly effective against bacteria and moulds at very low use levels, stable at pH 3–9.
• Kemaben Series — Paraben-blend Preservation Synergistic liquid paraben and paraben-combination preservation systems for cosmetic emulsions and personal care products. Multiple variants allow formulators to select appropriate water solubility, paraben chain length profile, and enhanced antifungal activity.
• Stabil Series — Preservative-Free Multifunctional Systems Multifunctional cosmetic systems providing preservation, skin emolliency, and mild fragrance without traditional preservatives. Designed for self-preserving and preservative-free claims, including sensitive applications such as eye-area, face, and baby care.
• Kem Diol Series — Modern Phenoxyethanol-based Preservation Modern cosmetic preservation systems based on Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol, delivering broad-spectrum protection effective at pH 3–9. Variants optimize for cost, water solubility, and the avoidance of controversial ingredients.
• Kem EHG / Kem EHB — Broad pH Range Preservation Phenoxyethanol/Ethylhexylglycerin and Benzyl alcohol/Ethylhexylglycerin preservation systems covering an unusually broad pH range of 3–12, suited to formulations requiring alkaline stability.
• Kem Plus Series — High-Fungicidal Preservation Liquid preservative blends containing Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate for formulators needing the highest level of fungicidal protection.
• Additional Preservation Systems (Preservative A, Kem BB, Kem BBD, Kem BSB, Kem DHA, Kem BS, Kem K, Kem NK, Kem PBD, Kem PHC, Kem CP, Kem Wipe, Kem 30, Paracombin) Specialized and complementary preservation systems across Imidazolidinyl/Diazolidinyl Urea bases (Preservative A series), broad-spectrum mild blends (Kem BB, Kem K, Kem NK, Kem PBD, Kem PHC), enhanced antifungal options (Kem CP), wipe-friendly systems (Kem Wipe), and high-pH-stable options (Kem 30). Allows formulators to address specific pH, regulatory, or application niche requirements.
• Challenge Testing & Microbiological Support Preservative efficacy (challenge) testing and microbiological compatibility assessment service delivered by Akema's in-house laboratory to support cosmetic formulators' regulatory submissions, formulation stability, and performance verification.
• Custom Technical Assistance Technical advisory service providing tailor-made preservation strategies, formulation guidance, and regulatory support to customers selecting and applying Akema ingredients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full compliance with EU, US and international cosmetic standards
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Schülke & Mayr: Schülke & Mayr is a German specialty chemical company and direct competitor in cosmetic and personal care preservation systems, offering a comparable portfolio of traditional and modern preservative blends for formulators globally.
• Seppic (Air Liquide): Seppic is a specialty ingredients supplier owned by Air Liquide, offering cosmetic actives, emulsifiers, and preservation solutions for personal care formulators; comparable in product positioning and customer base to Akema.
• Innospec: Innospec's Personal Care business supplies specialty ingredients and preservation systems to cosmetic manufacturers, with overlapping customer base and similar specialty chemical positioning as Akema.

Broad incumbents

• Symrise (Diana division): Symrise is a global flavors and fragrances major with a personal care ingredients division that competes across preservation, actives, and sensory ingredients; broader portfolio and far larger scale make it a broad incumbent peer.
• BASF Personal Care: BASF is one of the world's largest chemical companies with an extensive personal care ingredients portfolio including actives, preservation systems, and surfactants — a broad incumbent competing for the same cosmetic formulator customers.
• DSM-Firmenich (Personal Care): DSM-Firmenich is a global leader in nutrition, health, and personal care ingredients, with a broad actives and preservation portfolio serving the same cosmetic formulator base as Akema.
• Ashland: Ashland's Personal Care division supplies specialty ingredients including preservation boosters, biofunctional actives, and rheology modifiers, serving cosmetic formulators worldwide as a broad incumbent.
• Evonik (Personal Care & Hygiene): Evonik produces specialty ingredients for personal care including surfactants, actives, and preservation systems, with global manufacturing footprint and broad incumbent scale comparable to Akema's category.
• Clariant (Personal Care): Clariant supplies specialty ingredients including preservation systems and actives to the personal care industry; a broad incumbent with significantly larger scale than Akema serving similar end customers.
• Lonza (Personal Care): Lonza provides specialty ingredients and microbial control solutions for personal care, including preservation systems; comparable end-market focus with far broader portfolio and global footprint than Akema.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/akemaitalia

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 Akema