What CE Roeper does

C.E. Roeper GmbH is a fourth-generation, family-owned B2B trading company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, founded on May 2, 1891. The company specializes in importing and distributing natural raw materials — including hydrocolloids (Agar Agar, Guar Gum, Xanthan, Pectin, Carrageenan, Locust Bean Gum, Sodium Alginate, Psyllium, Gellan, Konjac, Tara Gum, Gum Arabic, CMC), natural colorants (Carmine, CEROCOL plant-based colors), waxes (Beeswax, Carnauba, Shellac), plant proteins, essential oils, balsams, resins, and botanical extracts — to industrial buyers across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and technical/industrial verticals. Sourcing is direct from origin countries including India, Pakistan, China, Brazil, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Chile, Mexico, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Turkey.

The company operates an in-house Application Technology Center with an Application Kitchen (built 2012) that provides tailor-made formulation consulting and product testing for customers, supported by a five-person quality assurance department. Three owned warehouses in Hamburg provide stock availability, and the firm holds ISO 22000:2018, IFS-Broker, Kosher, Kiwa BCS Öko Garantie organic, and Sedex memberships. The CEROGANIC proprietary brand covers the organic-certified subset of the portfolio. International offices in France (Gebolsheim-Wittersheim, 2016), Poland (Poznań, 2004), Russia (Moscow), and China (Qingdao, 2002 as a wholly-owned subsidiary, C.E. Roeper Qingdao Natural Materials Co., Ltd.) provide regional sales coverage, and an Italy office was added in 2018.

C.E. Roeper generates revenue through transactional trading margins on the import and resale of natural raw materials, supplemented by value-added logistics, warehousing, distribution, and application technology consulting services. The go-to-market is direct enterprise sales via a multilingual international team, with marketing conducted through the corporate website, industry exhibitions, direct email, and the Roeper World newsletter. Pricing is quote-based B2B with no public disclosure, and customer segments are diversified horizontally across confectionery, bakery, dairy, meat processing, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and technical/industrial applications. Exclusive distribution agreements (e.g., Yantai Andre Pectin across five European countries) provide supplier-side anchor relationships.

Name

CE Roeper

Legal name

C.E. Roeper GmbH

Website

https://roeper.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

C.E. Roeper GmbH is a fourth-generation family-owned Hamburg-based distributor of natural raw materials — hydrocolloids, gums, waxes, colorants, plant proteins, and resins — supplying food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and technical industrial buyers globally through five country offices and three Hamburg warehouses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Raw Materials Trading & Distribution

NAICS

Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrocolloids, Thickeners & Gelling Agents (Pectin, Xanthan, Carrageenan, Gelatin) (CRADAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flavorings & Extracts (Natural & Artificial) (CRADAOAA), Plant-Based & Alternative Proteins (Packaged) (CRADAAAH), Preservatives & Antimicrobials (Sorbates, Benzoates, Natamycin, Cultured Dextrose) (CRADAOAF), International Specialty Ingredients & Import Markets (CRAHAFAL)

Keywords

• Natural raw materials trading
• Hydrocolloid distribution
• Food ingredient supply
• Natural cosmetic ingredients
• Pharmaceutical excipients

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Natural Raw Material Trading: Import and distribution of natural raw materials including hydrocolloids, plant extracts, colorants, waxes, proteins, fibres, and specialty ingredients to food, cosmetics, pharma, and technical industries worldwide.
2. Logistics and Distribution Services: Provision of logistics, warehousing, and distribution services for natural raw materials. Company operates 3 warehouses in Hamburg and arranges transport from origin countries worldwide.
3. Application Technology Consulting: Technical consulting and application solutions provided through in-house application technology center for customers requiring tailor-made solutions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

C.E. Roeper GmbH is a Hamburg-based international trading and distribution company that imports and sells natural raw materials and ingredients — including hydrocolloids, natural colorants, waxes, resins, balsams, gums, plant proteins, flavors, and botanical extracts — to industrial buyers in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and technical sectors. The company sources directly from origin countries, stocks goods in its own Hamburg warehouses, and supplements distribution with application-technology consulting and quality assurance.

Product overview

C.E. Roeper GmbH is a fourth-generation family-owned trading company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, specializing in the global trade of natural raw materials and ingredients. Founded in 1891, the company operates as an international distributor and supplier of natural ingredients serving the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and technical industries. The product portfolio encompasses over 60 distinct natural ingredients organized into categories including hydrocolloids (Agar Agar, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Gum Arabic, Locust Bean Gum, Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Konjac Gum, Pectin, Tara Gum, Sodium Alginate, CMC, Psyllium), natural colorants (Carmine, CEROCOL Natural Colours), waxes (Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Shellac), proteins (Plant Proteins, Chia Seeds, Quinoa, Spirulina), flavors and fragrances (L-Menthol, Vanillin, various essential oils and oleoresins), resins and gums (Gum Tragacanth, Gum Mastic, Gum Myrrh, Gum Olibanum, various Balsams), and botanical extracts (Aloe Vera, Grape Seed Extract). The company operates under the CEROGANIC organic certification brand for certified organic products. C.E. Roeper sources raw materials directly from origin countries worldwide including India, Pakistan, China, South America, and Africa, maintaining three company-owned warehouses in Hamburg. They offer application technology services and quality assurance support alongside their ingredient distribution business.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agar Agar A hydrocolloid gelling agent derived from red algae (Gelidium and Gracellaria), used as a vegetable substitute for gelatin in food, confectionery, and industrial applications. Available in multiple gel strengths, powder, flake, stripe, and organic grades.
• Carrageenan A hydrocolloid extracted from red seaweeds (Gigartinaceae, Solieriaceae, Hypneaceae, Furcellariaceae), used as a gelling agent, thickener and stabilizer in food products including ice cream and dairy applications.
• Guar Gum An emulsifier and thickener derived from seeds of the Guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) sourced from India and Pakistan; used for water binding in bread and stabilization in sauces and dressings.
• Xanthan Gum A hydrocolloid produced by fermentation of sugar substrates through Xanthomonas Campestris, used as a stabilizer in food and dairy products, thickener in toothpastes, and emulsifier in sauces and dressings.
• Locust Bean Gum A hydrocolloid extracted from the seeds of the Ceratonia siliqua tree native to the Mediterranean, used for water binding in ice cream and as an emulsifier in mayonnaise.
• Pectin (Apple, Citrus, Sugarbeet) A hydrocolloid derived from apple pomaces or citrus peels, offered under exclusive distribution of Yantai Andre Pectin in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and France; used as a gelling agent in jams and fruit preparations.
• Sodium Alginate Alginate extracted from cell walls of brown algae harvested in Chile, China, Ireland, Scotland and Norway; used as a gelling agent in dental masses, reformed meat, and surimi.
• Gellan Gum A polysaccharide produced by aerobic fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea; used as a gelling agent and heat stabilizer in fruit preparations and as a stabilizer in soy drinks.
• Gum Arabic / Gum Acacia A natural wood resin from Northern Africa, used as emulsifier in oil-water systems, glazing and coating agent in candies, clearing agent in wine and beer, and as a thickener.
• Gum Tragacanth A resin from Astragalus gummifer roots originating in the Middle East, used as a thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier in dressings, sauces, ice cream, and pharmaceutical applications.
• Psyllium Plantago Ovata husks and seeds from India, used as a dietary fibre for water binding and hydrocolloid applications; available in various purities (95–99%) and mesh sizes.
• CMC - Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium salt of carboxymethyl ether of cellulose, used as a thickening agent, stabilizer and emulsifier in food; as coating agent for tablets; and in technical applications such as oil drilling.
• Tara Gum A hydrocolloid from seeds of the Caesalpinia spinosa tree in Peru; used as a thickener in ketchup and as a stabilizer in cheese.
• Beeswax (Cera Flava, Cera Alba) A natural wax from honey bee honeycombs, sourced worldwide (PR China, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, South America) and used in ointments, candles, shoe and floor polish, and as a food coating agent.
• Carnauba Wax The hardest known natural wax, derived from the leaves of the Carnauba Palm of Northern Brazil; used in wax polishes, lacquers, food industry coatings, and pharmaceutical tablet coatings.
• Shellac A refined resin from insect Kerria lacca exudate, used for wood treatment, as binder for inks, as coating and glazing agent, in dental plates, hair spray, and nail lacquer; available in wax-containing and dewaxed grades.
• Plant Proteins (Pea, Chickpea, Fava Bean, Rice, Mung) A range of plant-based proteins including Pea Protein isolates (80–85%), Textured Pea Protein (TVP 70%), Chickpea, Fava Bean, Rice, and Mung Proteins used for water binding, emulsification, and texture enhancement in food products.
• Plant Fibre (Pea Fibre, Acacia Fibre) Plant fibres including Pea Fibre and Acacia Fibre sourced from China and Sudan, offering high water-binding ability for food formulations.
• Carmine (Natural Red Colorant) A natural colorant derived from cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus Costa) sourced from Peru, used for colouring food and cosmetic products; available as liquid solution, water-soluble powder, and lake forms.
• CEROCOL Natural Colours (Plant-Based Colorants) A range of plant-based natural colorants including Anthocyanins (from Purple Sweet Potato, Purple Corn, Red Cabbage, Black Carrot, Grape Skin, Red Radish), Red Beet/Betanins, Beta-carotene, Curcumin, and Chlorophyll for food and cosmetic applications.
• L-Menthol Natural Crystals Natural L-Menthol crystals sourced from India, China, Singapore and Paraguay, used in cosmetics, scents, snuffs, mouthwashes, toothpaste, and confectionery.
• Vanillin (Synthetic) Synthetic vanillin produced from Guaiacol or Lignin, used as an aroma in chocolate, confectionery, ice cream, pastry, liquors, and pharmaceutical products.
• Liquorice / Licorice Concentrated and purified extract of liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra) from Asia and the Middle East; used as a flavouring agent in confectionery, expectorants, and tobacco. Available in blocks, powder, granules, and liquid paste forms.
• Aloe Vera Juice and extracts from the inner leaves of the Aloe barbadensis Miller plant sourced from Mexico and China; used in skincare, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and food products.
• Grape Seed Extract Extract from carefully selected grape seeds, used as an antioxidant, for colour stabilization, protein stability improvement, and bacteriostatic properties in dietary supplements and food.
• Quinoa Traditional Andean crop (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) sourced from Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador; high in protein, antioxidant, and gluten-free. Available in white, red, black, and tricolor varieties as well as flakes or powder.
• Chia Seeds Seeds of Salvia hispanica sourced from Mexico, South America, Uganda, and Kenya; high in protein, gluten-free, used for energy production and blood sugar stabilization.
• Spirulina Platensis Cyanobacteria cultivated in subtropical water farms in China and India; used as a protein source and natural colorant. Rich in Vitamin B12 and Beta-carotene.
• Tannic Acid A mixture of esters of glucose with gallic acid from plant sources; one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, used for protein binding, taste improvement, color protection, in inks, and in wine fining.
• CEROGANIC (Certified Organic Sub-Brand) Proprietary sub-brand representing C.E. Roeper's portfolio of certified organic products, including Agar Agar, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Carob, Chia Seeds, Gellan Gum, Guar Gum, Psyllium, Quinoa, Spirulina, and various plant proteins, all covered by Kiwa BCS Öko Garantie organic certification.
• Application Technology Consulting In-house application technology service offering tailor-made formulation solutions and professional consulting to customers across food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and technical industries to support product development and problem-solving.
• Warehousing and Logistics Services Provision of warehousing, inventory, and logistics services through three company-owned warehouses in Hamburg, enabling stock availability, short delivery times, and worldwide transport from origin countries to customers.

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC.E. Roeper is a member of Sedex, an organization committed to continuous improvement of ethical behavior in their supply chain. Sedex provides a platform for companies to share ethical supply chain data.
• Pontes Industria de Cera Ltda.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian supplier of Carnauba Wax and partner in Santa Rita sustainability project in Maranhão, Brazil. Pontes received UN award for supporting women's entrepreneurship through supply chains. Long-standing cooperative relationship.
• Yantai Andre PectincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorC.E. Roeper is the exclusive distributor of Yantai Andre Pectin products in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and France for apple pectin, citrus pectin, and customized pectin qualities.
• Santa Rita Community (Brazil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability project in Santa Rita, Maranhão, Brazil focused on quality education for children, environmental education, professional training for sustainable Carnauba Wax supply chain, and women's entrepreneurship programs.
• Australian Beekeeping Partners (Australia/New Zealand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing relationships with organic and conventional beeswax suppliers in Southern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 38+ year relationship with Kangaroo Island Red Yacca Gum supplier.
• Indian Suppliers (India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecades-long relationships with Psyllium and other natural raw material suppliers in India. Suppliers based in Gujarat and Rajasthan regions with state-of-the-art processing facilities.
• Peruvian Producers (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelationships with carmine/cochineal producers, Tara gum factories, and other natural ingredient suppliers in Peru. Annual visits to ensure quality standards and sustainable practices.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Azelis: Azelis is a Belgian-headquartered global specialty ingredients distributor with strong food, personal care, and pharma vertical coverage in Europe. It competes with Roeper on hydrocolloids, natural colorants, and botanical extracts, and is a like-for-like channel partner.
• IMCD N.V. IMCD is a leading global specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with deep food, personal care, and pharma coverage in Europe. Like Roeper, IMCD monetizes a mix of distribution and application/technical support, and they overlap on hydrocolloids, colorants, and natural raw materials.
• Häffner & Co. Häffner is a German specialty chemicals distributor with food, personal care, and pharma exposure. It is comparable in scale and model to Roeper and competes in adjacent specialty-ingredient categories sold to European manufacturers.
• Caldic: Caldic (now owned by Advent International) is a European specialty ingredients distributor with food, personal care, and pharma verticals. It is a close peer in the distribution-plus-technical-service model and competes with Roeper across DACH and other European geographies.
• Barentz: Barentz is a European-headquartered specialty ingredients distributor serving food, personal care, pharma, and animal nutrition with a similarly broad, multi-origin portfolio. Roeper competes most directly with Barentz in hydrocolloids, colorants, and natural ingredients across DACH and France.
• Ter Hell & Co. (THCO): THCO is a German specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor serving food, personal care, pharma, and industrial customers. Like Roeper, it sources globally and adds value through technical consulting and warehousing, making it a direct DACH-region peer.
• Nordmann, Rassmann (NRC): NRC is a Hamburg-based, family-owned specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with a similar heritage profile to Roeper (German, multi-generation, Hamburg roots). It serves overlapping food, personal care, and pharma customers and competes on specialty raw materials.

Broad incumbents

• Brenntag SE: Brenntag is the world's largest chemical and ingredients distributor, headquartered in Essen, Germany. It competes broadly with Roeper across food, personal care, and pharma ingredients in Europe but at vastly greater scale and with a more diversified portfolio.
• Univar Solutions: Univar Solutions is a major North American and European specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with food, personal care, and pharma verticals. It is a broad incumbent whose portfolio breadth and global scale exceed Roeper's.

Regional players

• Quaron (now part of Barentz): Quaron was a France- and Benelux-focused specialty ingredients distributor (now integrated into Barentz). It is a useful historical regional peer because it competed with Roeper's French office on the same customer base of food, personal care, and pharma buyers in France.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c-e--roeper-gmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 CE Roeper