Pharmachem

What Pharmachem does

Pharmachem (legal name PHARMACHEM, S.A. de C.V.) is a privately held Mexican B2B distributor of raw materials and primary packaging materials, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Mexico City. The company operates five vertical business units — Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, Home & Institutional Care, Food, and Packaging — distributing ingredients such as vitamins, mineral premixes, APIs, rheology modifiers, surfactants, enzymes, flavors, stevia extract, and packaging formats including glass, aluminum, and PET/PE containers to industrial customers in Mexico.

The company represents more than 25 international brand principals, including dsm-firmenich for pharmaceutical-grade vitamins, Stoelzle Pharma for glass primary packaging, Elementis for specialty rheology modifiers, Bell Flavors for natural flavors, Rahn for cosmetic biotech ingredients, and NAOLys for plant-cell cosmetic actives. Its operations are anchored by four warehouses in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cuautitlán, and Altamira that comply with COFEPRIS sanitary norms, with monitored temperature, humidity, refrigeration, and CCTV. A separately notable capability is the Centro de Innovación (Innovation Center), which provides formulation development, prototyping, stability testing, and a trained sensory panel to customers as a value-added technical service.

Pharmachem monetizes through transaction-fee distribution across its five verticals supplemented by professional services revenue from the Innovation Center. Pricing is quote-based, customized by volume, material, and frequency, and not publicly listed. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, SARI (via ANIQ), SEDEX-SMETA 4 Pillars, and GPTW certifications, and operates a sales-led go-to-market reinforced by trade show participation and a content-driven website and social presence. The business is intentionally concentrated within Mexico, with no disclosed revenue, funding, or ownership structure beyond the operating entity itself.

Name

Pharmachem

Legal name

PHARMACHEM, S.A. de C.V.

Website

https://pharmachem.com.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pharmachem is a privately held Mexican distributor (founded 1995) of raw materials and primary packaging for pharmaceutical, personal care, home care, food, and packaging manufacturers, operating four COFEPRIS-compliant warehouses and serving customers through an in-house Innovation Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemical and Raw Materials Distribution

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)

akta.pro primary industry

Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply) (HLAIAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Prescription Pharmaceutical (Rx) Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAHAA), Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging (Blister Packs, Bottles, Vials, Ampoules) (IMALAIAA), Retail Pharmacy Supply Wholesalers (HLAIAJAE), Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Warehousing (GDP-Compliant) (TLAIACAD)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical raw materials distribution
• Primary packaging distribution
• Personal care ingredients
• Food ingredients distribution
• Home care surfactants distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

San Pedro

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Raw Materials Distribution: Distribution of high-quality raw materials including rheology modifiers, active plant cells, cosmetic specialties, surfactants, additives, enzymes, fragrances, vitamins, vitamin premixes, minerals, APIs, vitamin premixes, flavors, yeast extracts, and stevia extract for pharmaceutical, food, personal care, and home care industries.
2. Primary Packaging Materials Distribution: Distribution of glass bottles, aluminum bottles, PET and PE containers and accessories, and sustainable packaging solutions.
3. Innovation and Formulation Services: Technical support, formulation development, prototype creation, stability testing, and sensory testing services for customer product development needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pharmachem distributes specialty raw materials and primary packaging materials to manufacturers across pharmaceutical, food, personal care, home/institutional care, and packaging industries in Mexico. The offering is organized in five business units (Personal Care, Home & Institutional Care, Pharmaceutical, Food, Packaging) supplemented by an in-house Innovation Center providing formulation development, prototyping, stability testing, and technical advisory services. Materials are sourced from over 25 international brand partners and delivered through a COFEPRIS-compliant multi-warehouse distribution network.

Product overview

Pharmachem is a Mexican raw materials distributor serving the pharmaceutical, personal care, household/institutional care, food, and packaging industries. The company operates five distinct business units — Cuidado Personal, Cuidado del Hogar e Institucional, Farmacéutica, Alimentos, and Empaque — distributing raw materials and primary packaging from over 25 national and international brand partners. Its portfolio spans rheology modifiers, active vegetable cells, cosmetic specialties, fragrances, surfactants, vitamins, minerals, APIs, pre-mixes, flavors, yeast extracts, stevia extract, glass bottles, aluminum bottles, and PET/PE containers. The offering is structured as a distribution platform supplemented by value-added services including the Centro de Innovación (Innovation Center) for formulation development and prototyping, a Commercial Team, Operations (warehousing and logistics), Quality assurance, Systems management, Customer Service, and Safety and Hygiene.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cuidado Personal (Personal Care) Raw Materials Distribution Distribution of rheology modifiers, active vegetable cells, cosmetic specialties, fragrances, surfactants, UV filters, and preservatives for the personal care and cosmetics industry. Targeted at formulators and brand owners developing personal care products.
• Cuidado del Hogar e Institucional (Home and Institutional Care) Raw Materials Distribution Distribution of surfactants, additives, enzymes, and fragrances for household and institutional cleaning and care products. For manufacturers of home care, laundry, dishwashing, and institutional cleaning products.
• Farmac\u00e9utica (Pharmaceutical) Raw Materials Distribution Distribution of vitamins, vitamin and mineral pre-mixes, minerals, and APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) for the pharmaceutical industry. For drug product manufacturers requiring COFEPRIS-compliant materials with GMP/DMF documentation.
• Alimentos (Food) Ingredients Distribution Distribution of vitamin and mineral pre-mixes, flavors, yeast extracts, and stevia extract for the food and beverage industry. For manufacturers addressing food fortification, clean label, and sodium/sugar reduction requirements.
• Empaque (Primary Packaging Materials) Distribution Distribution of glass bottles, aluminum bottles, PET and PE containers and accessories, and sustainable packaging solutions. For pharmaceutical, food, personal care, and home care manufacturers requiring primary packaging materials.
• Centro de Innovaci\u00f3n (Innovation Center) Formulation and Technical Services Value-added technical services including prototype development, complete formulation creation, applications development, technical advisory, scientific support, stability and performance testing, and sensory panel evaluation. For customers developing new or improved products across all five business units.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• dsm-firmenichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supplying vitamins, vitamin premixes, and minerals for pharmaceutical and nutritional applications. Their products include pharma-grade vitamins with GMP, DMF, and pharmaceutical dossiers for COFEPRIS registration support.
• Bell FlavorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of natural flavors with advantages including no synthetic substances, guaranteed organic and natural final products, and pleasant flavor profiles for food applications.
• RahncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial distributor of Rahn in Mexico offering LIFTONIN-XPRESS and biotechnological solutions for cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals including products for attenuating rosacea and redness.
• ElementiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal leader in specialty chemicals providing Bentone Plus Glow, Bentone Luxe XO, and Hydroclay rheology modifiers for cosmetic formulations including antiperspirants and sunscreens.
• Stoelzle PharmacoreTechnology or IntegrationGlass packaging partner offering primary pharmaceutical packaging solutions including glass bottles, closures, and integrated supply chain services from product development to industrial production.
• ANIQ (Asociación Nacional de la Industria Química)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmachem is a member of ANIQ, promoting among suppliers and clients adherence to the Integral Responsibility Administration System (SARI).
• AZECO CosmeceuticalscoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of AZEPUR 99, high-purity azelaic acid (>99%) derived from high oleic sunflower oil with COSMOS certification for cosmetic applications.
• PrespersecoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Arcopearl Sparkle line of coated micas offering high chroma, intensity, and superior shine for cosmetic formulations with allergen-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and cruelty-free certifications.
• MulticerascoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Candelilla Real eLife Especial candelilla wax with clean citric acid extraction process that reduces risks associated with sulfuric acid use.
• NAOLyscoreTechnology or IntegrationBiotechnology company specializing in plant cell ingredients for cosmetics with patented technology preserving and caring for each plant species obtained.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pochteca: Leading Mexican distributor of raw materials and specialty chemicals serving industrial, food, personal care, and pharmaceutical end markets. Highly comparable as a Mexico-centric raw-materials distributor with multiple verticals and similar B2B specialty distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Univar Solutions: Global chemical and ingredients distributor serving pharma, personal care, food, and industrial customers across the Americas. Comparable to Pharmachem in pharma and personal care distribution, though vastly larger in scale and geographic reach.
• Barentz: Specialty ingredients distributor focused on human nutrition, pharma, and personal care, with growing Latin America presence. Overlaps in vitamin premixes, APIs, cosmetic actives, and rheology modifiers supplied to similar Mexican/LATAM customers.
• Brenntag: World's largest chemical and ingredients distributor with operations in Mexico/Latin America. Overlaps with Pharmachem across pharma APIs, food ingredients, personal care specialties, and home care chemicals, but operates globally with a much broader portfolio.
• IMCD: Global specialty distribution and formulation group with strong presence in personal care, pharma, and food specialties. Directly competes for the same global principals and serves Mexico through local entities; comparable value-added formulation/technical services model.
• Azelis: Specialty ingredients distributor with deep personal care, pharma, and food verticals including operations in Latin America. Comparable ingredient-distribution business with technical sales force and laboratory/application support.
• Manuchar: Global distributor of chemicals and specialty ingredients with established Mexican operations serving pharma, personal care, home care, and food. Comparable multi-vertical raw materials distribution model but at materially larger scale.
• Helm AG: Hamburg-based distribution and marketing group for specialty chemicals, including life sciences and crop nutrition. Comparable principal-representation model focused on specialty raw materials, with pharma and personal care adjacencies.

Regional players

• Alpes S.A. (Grupo Alpes / Droguería del Sur): Specialty raw materials and pharmaceutical distributor serving the Southern Cone markets (Argentina, Chile). Comparable principal-representation and pharma/personal-care ingredient distribution model in a different LATAM geography.
• Química Borden (and Meg Chemicals): Latin American-focused chemical and ingredient distributors serving similar pharma, personal care, and home care customers. Regional peers that compete for the same Mexican and Central American principals and accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pharmachemoficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/pharmachem_oficial

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Pharmachem