What Manuka Biologicals does

Manuka Biologicals Limited is a New Zealand-based B2B supplier of bioactive mānuka essential oil, headquartered at 95 Factory Road, Opotiki. The company was originally established in 2013 and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Manuka Bioscience Limited; both entities entered receivership on 31 January 2025, with Daniel Stoneman and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners appointed joint receivers.

The company steam-distills mānuka essential oil from Leptospermum scoparium leaves and branches harvested primarily from its East Cape plantations, producing two commercial grades — MBTK™ 10+ (minimum 10% β-triketones) and MBTK™ 20+ (minimum 20% β-triketones) — measured against the proprietary MβTK™ quality standard. Technical differentiation rests on a proprietary seed genetics program for elevated β-triketone content, satellite distillation units installed at plantation sites, in-house rapid plantation testing instruments, and a body of over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications supporting mānuka oil's bioactive properties. The company holds COSMOS, NATRUE, BioGrow, and B Corp certifications and reports over 5 million mānuka trees planted through joint ventures with multiple Māori iwi trusts (Maungaroa and Iwiroa in 2015, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui in 2016, plus three further iwi groups in 2017).

Commercially, Manuka Biologicals operates a sales-led B2B wholesale model, supplying bulk oil in 1kg, 5kg, and 10kg HDPE jerry-can or epoxy-coated aluminum packaging at approximately NZ$500-600 per kilogram to cosmetic brands, skincare manufacturers, consumer product manufacturers, research entities, and distributors globally. The go-to-market is content-driven, leveraging an educational blog, newsletter subscription, downloadable sales brochures, and a sample request program to qualify wholesale leads. Supply is sourced approximately 80% from hand-planted forests and 20% from wild-harvested plants, with a stated yield ratio of 1 tonne of foliage to 3-5 liters of oil and a 6-year bulk shelf life. The management team consists of Managing Director Nick Coughlan, Head of Operations Hein Wait, Head of Technical and Quality Control Dr Wayne Campbell, and Business Development Manager Tasha Carlos.

Name

Manuka Biologicals

Legal name

Manuka Biologicals Limited (In Receivership)

Website

https://manukabiologicals.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Manuka Biologicals is a New Zealand-based B2B supplier of bioactive mānuka essential oil, steam-distilling MBTK™-graded oil from East Cape plantations for cosmetic brands, manufacturers, researchers, and distributors globally. The company is in receivership as of January 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Essential Oils and Natural Cosmetic Ingredients

NAICS

Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural Extracts & Essential Oils (Botanical/Citrus/Herb/Spice Extracts) (AFAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aromatic & Essential Oil Crop Farming (Lavender, Lemongrass, Rosemary) (AFAGAGAF)

Keywords

• Essential oils
• Natural cosmetic ingredients
• Steam distillation
• Bioactive ingredients
• Manuka oil supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Opotiki

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bulk Manuka Oil Sales: Wholesale B2B sales of bulk mānuka essential oil to cosmetic brands, manufacturers, and distributors. Products sold in quantities of 1kg, 5kg, and 10kg in HDPE Jerry Cans or Premium Epoxy Coated Aluminum Flasks. Estimated wholesale prices of $500-600 per kilogram.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Manuka Biologicals produces and bulk-supplies 100% pure steam-distilled mānuka essential oil extracted from East Cape New Zealand Leptospermum scoparium, sold wholesale in 1kg, 5kg, and 10kg quantities to cosmetic brands, research entities, manufacturers, and distributors globally. The offering is differentiated by the proprietary MβTK™ quality standard grading β-triketone content (MBTK™ 10+ and MBTK™ 20+ grades), with COSMOS, NATRUE, BioGrow organic certifications supporting use as a natural antimicrobial bioactive ingredient in skincare, therapeutics, and consumer product formulations.

Product overview

Manuka Biologicals is a B2B supplier of bioactive mānuka essential oil ingredients derived from New Zealand's East Cape region. The company offers two product grades distinguished by β-triketone concentration: MBTK™ 10+ (10% β-triketones) and MBTK™ 20+ (20%+ β-triketones). Both products are 100% pure, steam-distilled oils used as natural antimicrobial ingredients in skincare, therapeutics, consumer products, and various industrial applications. The portfolio is unified by the proprietary MβTK™ quality standard, which quantifies and guarantees β-triketone potency levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MβTK™: Proprietary quality rating system for mānuka oil denoting the percentage of mānuka β-triketones, indicating antimicrobial potency.
• MBTK™ 20+ Manuka Oil
• MBTK™ 10+ Manuka Oil

Products and services

• MBTK™ 20+ Manuka Oil 100% pure steam-distilled East Cape mānuka essential oil with a minimum of 20% β-triketone content. Sold in 1kg, 5kg, and 10kg quantities in HDPE Jerry Cans or Premium Epoxy Coated Aluminum Flasks to cosmetic brands, research entities, manufacturers, and distributors for use as a natural antibacterial and antiviral ingredient in skincare, therapeutics, and consumer product formulations. Oil-soluble, recommended dosage 0.1% to 2%, 6-year shelf life in bulk. Backed by over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications and Cosmos approved.
• MBTK™ 10+ Manuka Oil 100% pure steam-distilled East Cape mānuka essential oil with a minimum of 10% β-triketone content, derived from pure steam distillation of East Cape mānuka leaves. Sold as a bioactive ingredient for cosmetic and wellness formulations to B2B customers seeking a lower-concentration tier for broader applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Promotes collagen III production in human skin fibroblast cells 58% more effectively than vitamin C
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Manuka Bioscience LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Manuka Biologicals is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manuka Bioscience Limited. The merger in 2021 leveraged R&D opportunities and combined mānuka oil assets. Both companies are currently in receivership as of January 31, 2025.
• Three Iwi Groups PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Formed partnerships with 3 further iwi groups in 2017 for mānuka plantations, expanding sustainable sourcing network and community partnerships.
• Te Whānau-ā-Apanui IwicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Collaboration combining traditional Māori knowledge with modern production. Partnership ensures ethical sourcing respecting iwi land and supports sustainable supply chain designed to stand the test of time. Guided by kaitiakitanga (guardianship) principle.
• Maungaroa and Iwiroa TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Māori iwi trusts partnered in 2015 for joint ventures planting over 5 million mānuka seedlings. These partnerships support sustainable land use and community economic growth.
• ECION R&D PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Research and development partnership established in 2014 for collaborative innovation in mānuka oil applications and quality testing methodologies.
• Southern Cross LaboratoryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership for testing and quality control of mānuka oil products established in 2014.
• Incospharm Corp.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted scientific research and clinical testing on MβTK™ 20+ Mānuka Oil's anti-inflammatory effects, including studies on mast cells, IL-6, and TNF-α inflammation markers.
• Monmouth UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Monmouth University Biology department resulting in groundbreaking October 2024 study published in Molecules Journal on manuka oil triggering apoptosis in cancer cells.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Young Living Essential Oils: Major essential oils MLM with vertical 'Seed to Seal' supply chain model paralleling Manuka Biologicals' seed-to-oil traceability and sustainability narrative. Operates plantations globally with single-origin positioning for premium ingredients.
• Givaudan: World's largest flavors and fragrances company with extensive naturals and botanical extract portfolio serving cosmetic, personal care, and fine fragrance customers. Comparable as a B2B ingredient supplier with natural, traceable bioactive offerings.
• Robertet: France-based natural ingredients company specializing in essential oils, plant extracts, and natural aroma chemicals for the fragrance, flavor, and cosmetics industries. Comparable as a vertically integrated, certified-organic natural ingredients supplier.
• Symrise: Global flavors and fragrances house with a Diana Naturals division supplying botanical extracts and natural antimicrobials to cosmetic and personal care brands. Comparable as a B2B ingredient supplier targeting the same cosmetic-formulator customer base.
• International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): Global ingredients company formed via the DuPont N&B merger, with a Health & Biosciences division supplying natural antimicrobials and botanical ingredients to cosmetic and personal care formulators. Comparable B2B ingredient platform.
• doTERRA: Large multi-level-marketing essential oils company offering a broad portfolio of single-source and blended essential oils, including tea tree and other antimicrobials. Comparable in essential oil category leadership, B2C-leaning, and global sourcing of traceable botanicals.

Direct peers

• Albert Vieille: French producer of essential oils and aromatic raw materials for perfumery, aromatherapy, and cosmetics, with geographic single-origin sourcing comparable to Manuka Biologicals' East Cape positioning. Comparable as a specialty B2B essential oil supplier with provenance-led differentiation.
• Melaleuca: US-based direct-selling company built around tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil with similar antimicrobial positioning in personal care and household products. Closest direct peer given comparable bioactive essential oil strategy and antimicrobial efficacy claims versus competing botanicals.
• Citróleo: Brazilian producer of essential oils and natural ingredients for the cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries, with a B2B focus and certified-organic positioning. Closest direct peer as a regional specialty essential oil supplier with similar customer base.
• Biolandes: France-based natural extracts producer with global plantation footprint supplying aromatic raw materials to fragrance, flavor, and cosmetics industries. Comparable as a B2B vertically integrated natural ingredients supplier serving cosmetic formulators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manuka-biologicals

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Manuka Biologicals