DEREX
DEREX is a privately held Spanish third-party cosmetics manufacturer founded in 1982, providing B2B dermocosmetic formulation, manufacturing (9 tonnes/day), and regulatory services to pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy chains, and selective cosmetics brands across 30+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersRafelbuñol, Spain
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DEREX does
DEREX S.A. is a privately held Spanish third-party cosmetics manufacturer headquartered in Rafelbuñol (Valencia), founded in 1982 by pharmacist Joaquín Roda. The company specializes in dermocosmetic formulation and contract manufacturing for B2B clients, operating from a 5,000 m² facility (2,500 m² production plus 2,500 m² storage) with a daily production capacity of 9 tonnes. Its portfolio spans more than 400 products across seven categories: facial care, sun protection, specific dermatological treatments, baby/child care, body care, intimate hygiene, and hair care, supplemented by four branded sub-lines (ANTIOXIDAT, SOLARGLOBA, TANTICAIDA, ULTRABOOST). Core technology centers on biomimetic active ingredient formulations developed in partnership with the Institute of Cellular Pharmacology (ICP, Malta) and Texinfine Laboratories (Lyon, France), supported by a €500,000 annual R&D commitment and ties to three Spanish universities.
DEREX's business model is professional-services-driven contract manufacturing. The company delivers an integrated five-pillar service offering: Ideas Laboratory (formulation and prototyping), Trials and Tests (stability, efficacy, safety), Marketing and Design (packaging and communications), Manufacturing and Packaging, and Legal Procedures (PIF preparation and CPNP notification for EU market entry). It averages 63 client projects per year with a 72% proposal-to-commercialization conversion rate and a 20-week average market launch timeline. Customers span five segments: multinational pharmaceutical companies, national pharmaceutical cooperatives, prescription-product laboratories, pharmacy chains, and selective cosmetics companies serving perfumeries, SPAs, and hotels. Products reach over 30 countries through pharmacy, parapharmacy, medical prescription, and specialist beauty distribution channels.
DEREX holds the ISO 9001 certification (ER-0932/01/98) from AENOR since 1998 — making it the first Spanish cosmetic laboratory to achieve this — and was the first to comply with cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices. The company has sustained a long-term public-funding relationship with IVACE, FEDER, CDTI, and Ministerio de Industria, drawing down grants for R&D+i projects, digitalization (SAP ERP implementation), photovoltaic installation, and 2023 industrial competitiveness investments. Ownership remains private with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or M&A activity.
DEREX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DEREX
- Legal name
- DEREX S.A.
- Website
- https://derex.es
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- DEREX is a privately held Spanish third-party cosmetics manufacturer founded in 1982, providing B2B dermocosmetic formulation, manufacturing (9 tonnes/day), and regulatory services to pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy chains, and selective cosmetics brands across 30+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DEREX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Contract Cosmetic Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAK)
Keywords
Where DEREX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rafelbuñol
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DEREX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Third-Party Cosmetic Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing services for cosmetic brands, offering formulation, production, packaging, and regulatory support. Clients include multinational pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy chains, and aesthetic brands that commission Derex to develop and manufacture their cosmetic products.
- Product Development Services: Comprehensive service from idea definition through formulation, prototype development, testing, manufacturing, packaging, marketing support, legal procedures, and market notification (CPNP). Average market launch period of 20 weeks with 72% of proposals reaching commercialization.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
DEREX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DEREX is a Spanish third-party cosmetics manufacturer providing end-to-end contract manufacturing services from initial product idea through formulation, prototype testing, manufacturing, packaging, marketing support, and EU regulatory notification (CPNP). The company produces over 400 dermocosmetic products—including facial care, sun protection, body care, hair care, intimate hygiene, and baby/children ranges—for pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy chains, prescription laboratories, and selective cosmetics brands, with output distributed in more than 30 countries.
Product overview
DEREX is a third-party cosmetics manufacturer (contract manufacturer) offering a comprehensive service from concept to market launch. The company operates a portfolio of over 400 marketed products across seven main categories: Facial Products, Sun Protection, Specific Treatments, Baby and Children Products, Body Products, Intimate Hygiene, and Hair Care. Their branded product lines include ANTIOXIDAT (antioxidant actives), SOLARGLOBA (sun protection), TANTICAIDA (hair loss prevention), and ULTRABOOST (ultra-concentrated pre-treatment). Beyond product sales, DEREX provides five integrated service pillars: Ideas Laboratory (formulation and prototyping), Trials and Tests (stability, efficacy, and safety testing), Marketing and Design (packaging and communications), Manufacturing and Packaging (9 tonnes/day capacity), and Legal Procedures (regulatory compliance and CPNP notification).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ideas Laboratory Service (formulation and prototyping) Service for defining new cosmetic product developments, including laboratory formulation work and prototype preparation for client brands in the dermocosmetic sector.
- Trials and Tests Service Comprehensive testing services including prototype stability testing, container compatibility testing, laboratory challenge tests, efficacy studies, patch tests, and use tests to validate cosmetics before market launch.
- Marketing and Design Service Packaging proposal and selection, preparation of packaging texts, technical product sheets, leaflets, sales arguments, and graphic design creation and guidance for client cosmetic brands.
- Manufacturing and Packaging Service Production and packaging services for cosmetic products at the Rafelbuñol facility, with capacity of 9 tonnes per day and flexible runs for both industrial and selective batches.
- Legal Procedures Service Preparation of the cosmetic Product Information File (PIF) and notification to the European CPNP portal to ensure regulatory compliance for market entry.
- ANTIOXIDAT Antioxidant Cosmetic Line Sub-brand product line featuring elevated concentrations and combinations of antioxidant active ingredients, formulated and manufactured by DEREX as a turnkey dermocosmetic offer for client brands.
- SOLARGLOBA Global Sun Protection Line Branded sun protection line providing comprehensive UVA+UVB+IR coverage, available in physical, chemical and organomineral formulations, formulated and manufactured by DEREX.
- TANTICAIDA Hair Loss Prevention Line Branded hair care line offering next-generation hair loss protection and prevention treatments, formulated and produced by DEREX for client brands.
- ULTRABOOST Ultra-Concentrated Pre-treatment Branded ultra-concentrated cosmetic pre-treatment product for enhanced efficacy, developed and manufactured by DEREX.
- Facial Cosmetics Category Range Complete range of facial cosmetics including hygiene, moisturizing, anti-aging, depigmentation, antioxidant, regenerative/restorative, and firming products developed and manufactured by DEREX for client brands.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20 weeks average market launch period
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use DEREX
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DEREX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DEREX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Institute of Cellular Pharmacology (ICP)coreResearch partnership with ICP Malta for development of formulations with biomimetic active ingredients. Key collaboration for innovative dermocosmetic product development.
- Texinfine LaboratoriescorePartnership with Texinfine Laboratories in Lyon, France for biomimetic active ingredient formulation development. Combined expertise for advanced dermocosmetic research.
- University of Barcelona - Faculty of Pharmacy (Galenic Dept.)supportingAcademic collaboration for galenic formulation research and development, contributing to product development expertise.
- University of Valencia - Faculty of PharmacysupportingAcademic partnership for pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulation research.
- Polytechnic University of Valencia - Microbiology Dept.supportingUniversity collaboration for microbiology testing and quality control research.
- EvicsupportingCompany specializing in efficacy testing for cosmetic products, supporting R&D validation.
- IECsupportingQuality control and testing partnership for cosmetic product certification.
- EchevarnesupportingTesting and analysis services partnership for product quality assurance.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DEREX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Intercos Group: Intercos is an Italian global contract manufacturer of cosmetic products (makeup, skincare, hair care) for prestige and mass-market brands. Comparable to DEREX as a third-party formulator and manufacturer serving major beauty brands across categories.
- Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics: Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics is the German cosmetics division of Schwan-Stabilo, providing formulation and contract manufacturing of color cosmetics and skincare for global beauty brands. Closely comparable to DEREX as a European third-party cosmetics manufacturer with strong R&D.
- Cosmax: Cosmax is a South Korean global ODM/OEM cosmetics manufacturer serving international beauty brands. Comparable to DEREX in business model (contract cosmetics manufacturing with formulation expertise), though at materially larger scale and broader geographic reach.
- Kolmar Korea: Kolmar Korea is one of the largest cosmetics OEM/ODM manufacturers globally, producing skincare, makeup, and personal care for major brands. Directly comparable to DEREX as a contract manufacturer reliant on formulation capabilities and B2B customer relationships.
- Fareva: Fareva is one of Europe's largest contract manufacturers for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and household products. It is the most direct comparable to DEREX as a B2B third-party manufacturer serving global beauty and pharma clients with formulation, production, and packaging services.
- Colep (SUZANA Group): Colep is a Portuguese-headquartered contract manufacturer for personal care, cosmetics, and home care products. It is a direct competitor to DEREX in European third-party cosmetic manufacturing for retail and pharmaceutical-distributed brands.
Broad incumbents
- Pierre Fabre: Pierre Fabre is a French pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic group with brands like Avène, Ducray, and Klorane. Comparable to DEREX in dermocosmetic positioning and pharmacy-channel distribution, though Pierre Fabre is a vertically integrated brand owner rather than a contract manufacturer.
- Almirall: Almirall is a Spanish pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology. Comparable to DEREX through its focus on dermatology products distributed via the pharmacy channel and presence in Spain, though Almirall is a branded pharma company, not a third-party manufacturer.
- Laboratoires Expanscience: Laboratoires Expanscience is a French pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic laboratory (Mustela, D-Stress) specializing in skincare and joint health. Comparable to DEREX in dermocosmetic formulation expertise and pharmacy distribution, but operates as a brand owner rather than a contract manufacturer.
- ISDIN: ISDIN is a Spanish dermatology-led company selling dermocosmetic and prescription skincare brands globally. Comparable to DEREX in product category (dermocosmetics for dermatology) and Spanish base, though ISDIN is a brand-owner rather than a third-party manufacturer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DEREX social profiles
Digital presenceDEREX compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
DEREX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DEREX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DEREX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DEREX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DEREX
What does DEREX do?
DEREX is a Spanish third-party cosmetics manufacturer providing end-to-end contract manufacturing services from initial product idea through formulation, prototype testing, manufacturing, packaging, marketing support, and EU regulatory notification (CPNP). The company produces over 400 dermocosmetic products—including facial care, sun protection, body care, hair care, intimate hygiene, and baby/children ranges—for pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy chains, prescription laboratories, and selective cosmetics brands, with output distributed in more than 30 countries.
Is DEREX a public or private company?
DEREX is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DEREX founded?
DEREX was founded in 1982. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is DEREX based?
DEREX is headquartered in Rafelbuñol, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does DEREX make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Third-Party Cosmetic Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are product Development Services.
Who are DEREX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Intercos Group, Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics, Cosmax, Kolmar Korea, Fareva and Colep (SUZANA Group). Broad incumbents are Pierre Fabre, Almirall, Laboratoires Expanscience and ISDIN.
Does DEREX have an API?
No public API is recorded for DEREX.
What industry is DEREX in?
DEREX's product category is Contract Cosmetic Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABAAAF, Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAK, Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325412.