Sophim
SOPHIM is a family-owned French manufacturer specializing in plant-based squalane and natural cosmetic emollients derived from olive oil by-products, supplying cosmetic brands and laboratories across more than 60 countries through direct B2B sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersPeyruis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sophim does
SOPHIM is a family-owned French manufacturer of natural cosmetic ingredients, established in 1996 and headquartered in Peyruis (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), with an additional production facility — SOPHIM IBERIA S.L — in Nijar, Almeria, Spain. The company specializes in plant-based squalane derived from by-products of olive oil production, applying oleochemistry processes including molecular distillation, fractionation, esterification, and hydrogenation to upcycle olive pomace into high-value cosmetic ingredients under a circular-economy model. Its core brand portfolio centers on Phytosqualan (olive- and soy/sunflower-derived squalane) and is complemented by texturizing agents (Phytowax ester waxes, Vegeline plant-based petrolatum alternatives), emollients (Biophytosebum, Insapolive, Sophim MC30/MC300), exfoliants (PhytOlive Fine), antioxidants (SkinFeel TOCO), and a broad range of cosmetic vegetable oils and butters. Products carry COSMOS, Natrue, Halal, Non-GMO, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 certifications.
SOPHIM operates a B2B enterprise field-sales model, engaging directly with cosmetic brands and laboratories through commercial and technical teams based at Peyruis. The company distributes its ingredients to customers in more than 60 countries and supports clients with formulation kits (Heroes 2026, The Essentials 2025, Make-up 2024, Sport 2023). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts and a sample-request workflow on the company website serving the bottom of the funnel.
The firm remains privately held under the Margnat family, with Jacques Margnat serving as President since founding and Alexis Margnat as Director of Publication. In September 2023 SOPHIM announced the acquisition of Novastell — a nutritional and functional ingredients supplier — with formal closing in April 2024, extending SOPHIM's reach into nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals and lifting 2023 consolidated sales to 36 million euros. The company has also raised a 20 million euro funding round (date undisclosed) to accelerate development, alongside an earlier 2012 investment from M Capital Partners.
Sophim firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sophim
- Legal name
- SOPHIM S.A.S Société à Actions Simplifiées
- Website
- https://sophim.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SOPHIM is a family-owned French manufacturer specializing in plant-based squalane and natural cosmetic emollients derived from olive oil by-products, supplying cosmetic brands and laboratories across more than 60 countries through direct B2B sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sophim industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cosmetic Ingredients Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225), Starch and Vegetable Fats and Oils Manufacturing (31122)
- SIC
- Fats & Oils (2070)
- akta.pro primary industry
- High-Oleic & Specialty Oilseed Oils (AFAJALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Antioxidants & Shelf-Life Extenders for Oils (Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Chelators) (AFAJALAN), Vegetable Oil Crushing & Refining (Soy, Canola/Rapeseed, Sunflower, Corn, Cottonseed) (AFAKAEAA)
Keywords
Where Sophim is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peyruis
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sophim business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Cosmetic Ingredients B2B Sales: Direct B2B sales of cosmetic ingredients to beauty brands, laboratories, and cosmetic product manufacturers. Revenue generated from the sale of formulated ingredients including squalane, emollients, texturizing agents, oils, butters, and exfoliants.
- Ingredient Sample Sales: Provision of ingredient samples to potential B2B customers for formulation testing and product development purposes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B ingredient sales with quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Sophim product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SOPHIM manufactures and sells plant-based squalane and related natural cosmetic ingredients derived from olive oil production by-products, using oleochemistry processes including molecular distillation, esterification, fractionation, and hydrogenation. The company supplies emollients, texturizing agents, vegetable oils, butters, exfoliants, and antioxidants directly to cosmetic brands and laboratories through a B2B direct sales model across 60+ countries. Its core product is Phytosqualan, a 100% plant-based squalane extracted from olive co-products, complemented by Phytowax ester waxes, Vegeline plant-based petroleum alternatives, Biophytosebum, Insapolive, and the Sophim MC hydrogenated polyisobutene range.
Product overview
SOPHIM is a family-owned French manufacturer of natural cosmetic ingredients established in 1996, specializing in plant-based squalane derived from olive oil production by-products. The company's core product portfolio centers on Phytosqualan (olive-derived squalane), complemented by texturizing agents (Phytowax ester waxes, Vegeline plant-based alternatives to petroleum products), emollients (Biophytosebum, Insapolive, Sophim MC series), exfoliants (PhytOlive Fine), and antioxidants (SkinFeel TOCO). SOPHIM also offers a comprehensive range of vegetable oils and butters. The company operates on a circular economy model, upcycling by-products from olive oil production into high-value cosmetic ingredients, with manufacturing facilities in France and Spain serving cosmetic brands and laboratories in over 60 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Phytosqualan: Plant-based squalane emollient products (Phytosqualan Olive and Phytosqualan VG)
- Phytowax
- Biophytosebum
- Insapolive
- Vegeline
- PhytOlive
- Sophim MC30/MC300
- SkinFeel TOCO
Products and services
- Phytosqualan Olive Plant-based squalane derived from olive oil production by-products, serving as a versatile natural emollient for cosmetic formulations; COSMOS approved, produced without solvents or GMOs, with high skin affinity.
- Phytosqualan VG Plant-based squalane obtained from soybean and sunflower sources, offering an alternative vegetable-origin squalane for cosmetic applications.
- Phytowax Olive 10L40 Ester wax derived from olive with sensory benefits for cosmetic formulations.
- Phytowax Olive 16L55 Ester wax derived from olive with sensory benefits for cosmetic formulations.
- Phytowax Olive 18L57 Ester wax derived from olive with sensory benefits for cosmetic formulations.
- Phytowax Ricin 22L73 Ester wax derived from castor oil with sensory benefits for cosmetic formulations.
- Insapolive Olive unsaponifiables rich in squalene (70%), providing powerful hydration action on epidermis; COSMOS approved.
- Biophytosebum Olive esters and squalene blend offering an alternative to silicones with protective and restorative properties for the skin's lipid barrier.
- PhytOlive Fine Exfoliating powder upcycled from olive stones, providing natural exfoliation for cosmetic formulations.
- SkinFeel TOCO 70 NON-GMO Natural tocopherols derived from organic sunflower oil, providing antioxidant properties for cosmetic formulations.
- Vegeline 65 100% plant-based texturizing emollient as an alternative to petrolatum, petroleum jellies and paraffin; derived from castor oil and carnauba wax; COSMOS certified.
- Vegeline 70 100% plant-based alternative to petroleum-derived products and paraffins for cosmetic formulations.
- Sophim MC30 Hydrogenated polyisobutene, a multifunctional oil for cosmetic formulations.
- Sophim MC300 Hydrogenated polyisobutene providing viscosity for cosmetic formulations.
- Cosmetic Oils Wide range of high-quality cosmetic vegetable oils for formulation use.
- Cosmetic Butters Carefully selected range of premium-quality cosmetic butters for formulation use.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2023 consolidated sales reached 36 million euros following Novastell acquisition
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sophim
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sophim technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Sophim partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- NovastellmajorSOPHIM announced acquisition of Novastell, a supplier of nutritional and functional ingredients, in September 2023 with official presentation in early 2024. The acquisition aims to further expand SOPHIM's presence in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, increasing 2023 consolidated sales to 36 million euros.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Sophim competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sophim social profiles
Digital presenceSophim compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Sophim financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sophim leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sophim subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Sophim funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sophim M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sophim
What does Sophim do?
SOPHIM manufactures and sells plant-based squalane and related natural cosmetic ingredients derived from olive oil production by-products, using oleochemistry processes including molecular distillation, esterification, fractionation, and hydrogenation. The company supplies emollients, texturizing agents, vegetable oils, butters, exfoliants, and antioxidants directly to cosmetic brands and laboratories through a B2B direct sales model across 60+ countries. Its core product is Phytosqualan, a 100% plant-based squalane extracted from olive co-products, complemented by Phytowax ester waxes, Vegeline plant-based petroleum alternatives, Biophytosebum, Insapolive, and the Sophim MC hydrogenated polyisobutene range.
Is Sophim a public or private company?
Sophim is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Sophim founded?
Sophim was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sophim based?
Sophim is headquartered in Peyruis, France, in the Europe region.
How does Sophim make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Cosmetic Ingredients B2B Sales are the primary driver. The others are ingredient Sample Sales.
Does Sophim have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sophim.
What industry is Sophim in?
Sophim's product category is Cosmetic Ingredients Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJALAC, High-Oleic & Specialty Oilseed Oils, with a secondary code of AFAJALAN, Antioxidants & Shelf-Life Extenders for Oils (Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Chelators). Its NAICS code is 311225 and its SIC code is 2070.