What Elixance does

Elixance Masterbatches SAS is a French specialty chemicals company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Elven, Brittany, that formulates and compounds tailor-made masterbatches, functional additives, and eco-responsible materials for industrial thermoplastic processors. The company operates from a single ISO 9001:2015-certified site with a 1000 m² integrated IR&D laboratory housing a pilot extrusion line, injection moulding machines, and characterization equipment, supported by a team of approximately 40 employees including a 5–6 person R&D group.

The product portfolio spans four main lines: colour masterbatches (custom colours, effect colours including pearlescent/metallic/thermochromic, and Cotrep-certified NIR-detectable black for recycling); functional additives under the AFFIXO brand (REACH-compliant UV stabilizers, ISO 22196-tested antibacterial agents, halogen-free flame retardants); high-performance technical materials (fibre-reinforced PEKK, PEI, PETG, PA66 with boron carbide) for aerospace, automotive, rail, medical, and 3D printing applications; and eco-responsible ranges Sphéra (recycled and post-consumer co-products) and Tervia (NF EN 13432 / NF T51-800 biodegradable biomaterials). The company also participates in collaborative R&D projects including the Nautilium marine PHA consortium, the EU Nénu2phar project, and the REACT 3D nautical initiative.

Elixance operates a sales-led B2B go-to-market model, engaging directly with industrial customers from specification through sample to delivery across verticals including transport, leisure, cosmetics, agri-food, energy, aerospace, medical, and nautical. Revenue is generated from sale of custom-formulated concentrates (one-time product sales) plus R&D services for proof-of-concept, characterization, and co-development. Approximately €5 million in revenue was reported in 2024, with no publicly disclosed pricing and no distributor or reseller channels.

Name

Elixance

Legal name

Elixance Masterbatches

Website

https://elixance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elixance is a French specialty chemicals SME that formulates custom colour masterbatches, functional additives (UV, antibacterial, flame retardant), and eco-responsible biomaterials for industrial thermoplastic processors across transport, packaging, cosmetics, medical, aerospace, and nautical sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Polymer Compounding

NAICS

Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991), Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521)

SIC

Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Masterbatch Manufacturing (Color, Additive, White/Black) (IMANABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodegradable Additives & Masterbatches (pro-oxidant-free, bio-based modifiers) (IMAEAOAD), Color Masterbatches & Dispersions (IMAEAHAK), Engineering Thermoplastic Compounds (PA/PBT/PC/POM/PPS/PEEK) (IMANABAB), Plastic Compounding & Masterbatch (IMANAOAB), Sustainable Additives & Plasticizers (bio-plasticizers, stabilizers, compatibilizers) (IMANANAH)

Keywords

• Colour masterbatches
• Functional additives
• Polymer compounding
• Biodegradable materials
• High-performance thermoplastics

Headquarters

HQ city

Elven

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Colour Masterbatches: Formulation and production of tailor-made colour masterbatches for all polymer types. Colour is developed in the company's colour laboratory according to customer specifications and delivered as concentrates of pigments or dyes dispersed in a polymer matrix.
2. Functional Additive Masterbatches: Sale of masterbatches incorporating functional additives such as UV stabilizers, antibacterial agents, flame retardants, taggants, static dissipaters, and laser marking additives. Delivered as concentrated formulations for integration into customers' manufacturing processes.
3. High-Performance Materials: Custom-formulated high-performance technical materials for aerospace, automotive, rail, medical, sports, and 3D printing applications. Includes fibre-reinforced polymers, technical compounds, and specialized fillers.
4. Eco-Responsible Materials (Sphéra & Tervia): Sale of eco-friendly materials incorporating recycled polymers, post-industrial/post-consumer co-products, biodegradable polymers, and biosourced polymers. Two ranges: Sphéra (reduced carbon footprint) and Tervia (biodegradable).
5. R&D Services: Proof of concept, characterization (thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, UV accelerated ageing, density by helium pycnometry), and co-development services for custom polymer, additive, and pigment formulations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elixance formulates and manufactures tailor-made colour masterbatches, functional additives, eco-responsible biomaterials, and high-performance compounds for thermoplastics. The company produces custom colour concentrates, effect masterbatches, NIR-detectable black masterbatches, AFFIXO UV stabilizers, antibacterial and flame-retardant additives, biodegradable (Tervia) and reduced-carbon-footprint (Sphéra) materials, and R&D services from its ISO 9001:2015 certified production site in Elven, Brittany.

Product overview

Elixance is a thermoplastic coloring and functionalization company offering a comprehensive portfolio of masterbatches, functional additives, and eco-friendly materials. The core offerings include: Colour Masterbatches (custom colours, effect masterbatches, NIR-detectable black for recycling) under the Elixance Masterbatches brand; Functional Additives including AFFIXO UV stabilizers, antibacterial, and flame retardant additives; High Performance Materials for aerospace, automotive, rail, and medical sectors; and Eco-friendly Materials encompassing TERVIA (biodegradable polymers) and SPHERA (reduced carbon footprint materials). The IR&D division provides R&D services including proof of concept, characterization, and co-development through a 1000 m² integrated laboratory. Collaborative innovation projects include Nautilium (marine PHA biomaterial), Nénu2phar (European PHA project), and REACT 3D (3D printing for naval industry).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tervia: Biodegradable materials range incorporating plant fibers and mineral fillers for eco-friendly applications.
• Sphéra
• AFFIXO

Products and services

• Colour Masterbatches Concentrates of pigments or dyes dispersed in a polymer matrix for colouring plastics. Includes tailor-made colour formulations, effect masterbatches, and NIR-detectable black masterbatches for recycling. Developed in the company's colour laboratory with colorimetry-validated reproducibility (delta E CIE2000 <1) across polyolefins, styrenic, vinyl, technical polymers, elastomers, and biopolymers. Sold to industrial manufacturers in transport, leisure, cosmetics, agri-food, and other sectors.
• Effect Colour Masterbatches Masterbatches with visual effects including pearlescent, metallic, fluorescent, phosphorescent, thermochromic, photochromic, marbled, holographic, and dichroic effects. Designed for industrial manufacturers needing aesthetic differentiation in cosmetics packaging, leisure goods, and consumer products.
• NIR-Detectable Black Masterbatch Black masterbatch detectable by near-infrared sorting cells in recycling centres, enabling eco-designed products with end-of-life recyclability. Certified by Cotrep for polypropylene and polystyrene, food-contact compliant (EU Regulation 10/2011 and FDA), with non-magnetic option available. Sold to packaging manufacturers seeking recyclable black plastic solutions.
• Functional Additives Additives incorporated into thermoplastics to provide specific functions: UV protection (AFFIXO), antibacterial properties, flame retardancy, taggants, static dissipation, and laser marking. Sold as concentrated masterbatch formulations for integration into customers' manufacturing processes. Includes the AFFIXO brand sub-line.
• AFFIXO UV Stabilizers REACH-compliant UV stabilizer additives including AFFIXO LX102351 (UV absorber replacing bumetrizole) and AFFIXO LX102198 (no yellow coloration). HALS additives LX102303 and LX102369 replace monomeric HALS 1, with AFFIXO LX102303 offering 2x greater stabilisation than HALS 1 at low rates. Evaluated via accelerated UV ageing with delta E measurement as a function of accumulated solar energy.
• Antibacterial Additives Antibacterial masterbatches using metal salts (silver salts) or quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), with biocidal or bacteriostatic action and virucidal and antifungal options. Tested to ISO 22196 for proven effectiveness. Sold to medical, food packaging, and consumer goods manufacturers.
• Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Additives Non-halogenated flame retardant formulations in masterbatch or compound form, certified for polyolefin parts. Tested with Glow Wire Test (GWT), UL94 flame test, and epiradiator for M classification guidance. Sold to electronics, transport, construction, and energy sector manufacturers.
• Eco-Friendly Materials (Sphéra & Tervia) Two ranges of environmentally responsible materials: Sphéra (reduced carbon footprint incorporating post-industrial/post-consumer co-products such as fishing nets, shells, denim fibres, banknote shreds, cork, wheat bran — 100% recyclable, made in Brittany) and Tervia (biodegradable materials incorporating plant fibres and mineral fillers, compliant with NF EN 13432 industrial composting and NF T51-800 home composting). Compatible with injection, extrusion, and 3D printing. Sold to packaging, consumer goods, and durable goods manufacturers seeking circular economy materials.
• TERVIA Biodegradable Materials Biodegradable materials with accelerated decomposition kinetics, compliant with NF EN 13432 (industrial compost) and NF T51-800 (home compost). Incorporates plant fibres (flax, hemp, jute, coconut, reed, vine shoot) and mineral fillers (coffee grounds, scallop shells, cork, wheat bran, soy hulls). Compatible with injection, extrusion, and 3D printing.
• SPHÉRA Reduced Carbon Footprint Materials Materials integrating post-industrial or post-consumer co-products including fishing nets (via Fil&Fab partnership), oyster/mussel/scallop shells, eggshells, denim fibres, banknote shreds, cork, and wheat bran. 100% recyclable, compatible with sorting centres. Made in Brittany.
• High-Performance Materials Custom-formulated high-performance technical materials for aerospace, automotive, rail, medical, sports, and 3D printing applications. Includes fibre-reinforced polymers (glass-fibre reinforced PP, carbon-fibre reinforced PETG, carbon fibre-filled PEKK and PEI, PA66 with boron carbide), polymers (ABS, PETG, PC, PA, PEI, PEKK, PEEK), aramid/Kevlar fibres, and fillers (tungsten, boron carbide, zirconia).
• R&D Services Innovation Research and Development services including proof of concept, characterisation (thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, UV accelerated ageing, density by helium pycnometry), and co-development for custom polymer, additive, and pigment formulations. Delivered through an integrated 1000 m² IR&D laboratory with pilot extrusion line and injection moulding machines, supported by an R&D team of 5-6 experts in materials, chemistry, biotechnology, and processes.
• Nautilium PHA Biomaterial Bio-inspired PHA (Poly Hydroxy Alcanoates) material produced from marine micro-organisms naturally present in Brittany seas. Biosourced, biodegradable in sea and on land, produced locally in Brittany in a short GMO-free circuit via fermentation. Result of consortium with Polymaris Biotechnology, Europlastiques, Séché Environnement, and Olga.
• Nénu2phar PHA Formulations Formulation of native PHB from micro-algae into applications for single-use packaging (food and cosmetics), 3D printing filaments (flexible TPE-equivalent and rigid PLA-equivalent), and textiles for agriculture and medical sector. Project coordinated by Elixance with 16 European partners.
• REACT 3D Thermoplastic Composite Thermoplastic composite formulated for automated large-format 3D printing of nautical moulds. Material designed for end-of-life recyclability and reuse. Collaboration with Compositic and SMM Composites.

Quantifiable outcome

• NIR-detectable black masterbatch certified by Cotrep for optimum detectability on sorting lines for polypropylene and polystyrene
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nautilium Consortium (Polymaris Biotechnology, Europlastiques, Séché Environnement, Olga/Triballat Noyal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Five Brittany companies formed a consortium in March 2022 to produce Nautilium — a bio-inspired PHA material from marine micro-organisms. Elixance contributes formulation expertise. The material is biosourced, biodegradable in sea and on land, and produced locally in a short GMO-free circuit.
• Nénu2phar Consortium (16 European Companies and Research Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20204-year European project involving 16 companies and research organisations. Elixance formulates native PHB from micro-algae for applications in single-use packaging, 3D printing filaments, and textiles for agriculture and medical sectors. Elixance coordinates technical centres and industrial partners for prototyping and scale-up.
• REACT 3D Consortium (Compositic, SMM Composites)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaborative project between Elixance, Compositic, and SMM Composites to formulate thermoplastic composites for large-format 3D printing of nautical moulds. Elixance handles material formulation. The project embeds circular economy principles with end-of-life recyclability designed into the material.
• Fil&FabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Breton partner that collects used fishing nets and works with Elixance to incorporate them into polymers. Fishing nets are given a second life as co-products in the Sphéra eco-material range, providing an eco-responsible identity and unique aesthetic.
• RCV (Rugby Club Vannes)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Elixance has been a partner of RCV for approximately 6 years (since the club's promotion to Pro D2 around 2018). Partnership renewed and strengthened in subsequent years. Supports sporting events that boost local life in Brittany. Shared values of respect, team spirit, commitment, courage, sharing, and conviviality. Elixance sponsored the RCV-Oyonnax match.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Avient Corporation: Global specialty formulator and one of the largest masterbatch and engineered materials producers worldwide, with color, additive, and sustainable masterbatch ranges that directly overlap Elixance's core offerings. Acquired Clariant's masterbatch business, expanding reach into European specialty customers.
• Ampacet Corporation: Global masterbatch specialist offering color, additive, and white/black masterbatches to plastics processors across packaging, consumer goods, and industrial markets — the closest direct competitor to Elixance in tailormade color and functional additive masterbatches.
• Tosaf Group: Israel-based masterbatch and compound manufacturer with a broad portfolio of color, additive, and specialty masterbatches. Comparable in offering breadth and in serving European converters with custom-formulated solutions.
• Gabriel-Chemie Group: Austrian family-owned masterbatch producer with European manufacturing footprint and a comparable portfolio of color masterbatches, additive masterbatches, and specialty compounds serving similar B2B plastics converter customers.
• Lifocolor: German specialist in tailor-made color masterbatches with focus on technical polymers, packaging, and recycled-content applications — directly analogous to Elixance's tailor-made color business for technical and biopolymers.
• Polyplast Müller Gruppe: German family-run specialist in color and additive masterbatches with deep technical customization capabilities, frequently cited as a comparable niche specialty masterbatch producer for European plastics converters.

Broad incumbents

• NatureWorks: Global leader in PLA bioplastics, supplying biosourced polymers to packaging, consumer goods, and additive manufacturing customers that overlap with Elixance's eco-responsible materials and 3D printing offerings.
• Cabot Corporation: Global specialty chemicals and performance materials company; its carbon black business directly competes with Elixance's black and NIR-detectable black masterbatch lines, and its broader plastics additives footprint overlaps with Elixance's functional additives.

Emerging players

• Polymaris Biotechnology: French Breton biotech producing marine-sourced PHA via fermentation, a direct partner in the Nautilium consortium and an emerging competitor in marine-biodegradable bioplastics relevant to Elixance's eco-responsible positioning.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: Joint venture producing PLA and exploring PHA bioplastics at industrial scale, competing in the biodegradable and biosourced polymer space where Elixance's Nautilium and Tervia ranges also operate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXhMQY41r1WUmxVdUjFQi-A
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/elixance

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Elixance