What In vitro Plant-tech does

In vitro Plant-tech is a Swedish biotech company operating a plant cell cultivation platform to produce standardized botanical extracts for B2B customers in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. The company has developed its own MET technology, supported by a scientific plant selection process, and has commercialized a portfolio of seven in-house developed plant stem cell extracts plus a combination product. The extracts are positioned as natural, sustainable alternatives to conventional plant sourcing, with claims of reduced water usage, absence of pesticides, and year-round production independent of harvest cycles.

The company operates primarily as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), offering private-label extracts and client-exclusive cell line development that allows customers to retain IP ownership of resulting plant-based ingredients. This model targets high-end international cosmetic brands as well as pharma and nutraceutical players seeking differentiated, traceable botanical actives. COSMOS certification underpins the credibility of the cosmetics-facing portfolio.

The business is founder-led, with Anna Holefors PhD serving as CEO, and is based in Limhamn, Sweden, with a small team of 1-10 employees. The company was founded in 2000 and remains privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships to date.

Name

In vitro Plant-tech

Legal name

In vitro Plant-tech AB

Website

https://invitroplanttech.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Swedish biotech CDMO using proprietary plant cell cultivation technology to produce standardized botanical extracts for B2B customers in cosmetics, pharma, and nutraceuticals, with private-label and client-exclusive cell line development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Botanical Extracts and Bioactive Ingredients

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts) (AFAJAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Herbal & Botanical Supplements (CRADAGAD)

Keywords

• Plant cell extracts
• Botanical ingredients
• Cosmetic actives
• Plant stem cells
• CDMO biomanufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Limhamn

HQ country

Sweden

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. CDMO Services: Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization services for client exclusive cell line development and production. Clients own all IP rights for selected plants and developed cell lines. Revenue generated through custom development projects and ongoing production contracts.
2. Private Labelled Extracts: Sale of standardised botanical extracts under client private labels for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Products include proprietary plant stem cell extracts with unique bioactive profiles.
3. Client Exclusive Cell Lines: Development and licensing of superior cell lines especially developed for individual clients. Clients select target plants or properties and own all IP rights for the developed cell lines.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

In vitro Plant-tech develops and produces Highly Active Botanical Ingredients (HABI) through proprietary plant cell cultivation technology, supplying standardized plant stem cell extracts and CDMO services to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. The company offers in-house branded extracts (including Rhodiola Rosea, Calendula, Althaea, Aloe Vera, Plantago Major, Silybum Marianum, and Flower Power Innovation) as well as client-exclusive cell line development and private-label extract production, all manufactured in Sweden.

Product overview

In vitro Plant-tech offers a portfolio of seven distinct plant stem cell extract products and two service offerings. The core product line consists of highly active botanical ingredients (HABI) produced through sustainable plant cell cultivation: Rhodiola Rosea, Calendula Officinalis (pot marigold petal callus), Althaea Officinalis (marshmallow), Aloe Vera, Plantago Major (greater plantain), Silybum Marianum (milk thistle), and Flower Power Innovation (a synergistic combination of pot marigold and milk thistle). These extracts are standardised to concentration and activity for consistent performance. The company also provides CDMO services including client-exclusive cell line development where customers own IP rights, and private labelled extract services for cosmetics, pharma, and food industries. All products are developed and produced in Sweden using Metabolic Enhancement Technology (MET).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rhodiola Rosea (Roseroot) Plant Stem Cell Extract Plant stem cell extract designed to support skin exposed to environmental stress and early signs of ageing. Rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids such as kaempferol and caffeic acid, providing strong antioxidant and photoprotective support. Targeted at cosmetic and personal care formulators.
• Calendula Officinalis (Pot Marigold) Petal Derived Callus Extract Petal-derived callus extract developed for sensitive, reactive, and environmentally stressed skin. Rich in phenolics and tannins, including scopoletin, supporting antioxidant defense while reinforcing barrier function and improving skin comfort. Targeted at cosmetic formulators.
• Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Plant Stem Cell Extract Plant stem cell extract for preventive soothing and protective skin support. Contains phenolic compounds including scopoletin and caffeic acid, providing antioxidant and calming support for sensitive and reactive skin. Targeted at cosmetic formulators.
• Aloe Vera Plant Stem Cell Extract Plant stem cell extract supporting skin exposed to pollution and environmental aggressors. Rich in flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin, combined with polysaccharides that help reduce reactive oxygen species and rebalance oxidative stress. Targeted at cosmetic and personal care formulators.
• Plantago Major (Greater Plantain) Plant Stem Cell Extract Plant stem cell extract supporting structural strength and barrier resilience. Rich in tannins and phenolics, contributing to surface protection, visible firmness, and improved skin integrity. Targeted at cosmetic and skincare formulators.
• Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Plant Stem Cell Extract Plant stem cell extract designed to support skin structure and resilience, particularly in skin exposed to photo-ageing and environmental stress. Rich in phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, including ferulic acid. Targeted at cosmetic and skincare formulators.
• Flower Power Innovation Combines pot marigold petal derived callus extract and milk thistle plant stem cell extract to deliver synergistic skin protection. Phenolic and tannin rich complex containing ferulic acid and scopoletin, supporting barrier reinforcement, structural integrity, and antioxidant defense. Targeted at cosmetic and skincare formulators.
• Client Exclusive Cell Line Development (CDMO Services) Custom development service where clients select plants or target properties to develop superior cell lines. Client owns all IP rights for selected plants and developed cell lines. In vitro Plant-tech acts as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), providing development and production support for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical clients.
• Private Labelled Extracts Customised botanical extracts tailored for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, leveraging expert plant cell cultivation technology and production of bioactive substances. Products supplied under client private labels for distribution and resale.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of plant collections performed by destructive harvesting leading to endangerment of wild populations - company provides sustainable alternative

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Givaudan: World's largest fragrance and beauty ingredients company, with an Active Beauty division offering botanical and biotech-derived cosmetic actives. A broader incumbent whose portfolio and global sales force compete with In vitro Plant-tech's premium positioning.
• DSM-Firmenich: Dutch-Swiss merged ingredient giant combining nutrition/health ingredients (DSM) with fragrance and beauty actives (Firmenich). Competes broadly in cosmetic actives and nutraceutical botanical ingredients across global markets.
• Symrise: German global supplier of cosmetic ingredients, flavours, and nutraceutical actives, including botanical extracts. A diversified incumbent serving the same cosmetic and nutraceutical customer base with much broader resources.
• Croda International: Global specialty chemicals giant with a large personal care and life sciences ingredients portfolio, including botanical actives (via Sederma and other units). Competes with In vitro Plant-tech in the cosmetic actives space while serving many end-markets the company cannot reach.

Direct peers

• Euromed: Spanish standardised botanical extracts manufacturer for pharma, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications. Comparable in offering fully traceable, standardised plant-based actives with regulatory-grade documentation.
• Mibelle Biochemistry: Swiss developer of plant cell culture-derived active ingredients for cosmetics and nutraceuticals. Most directly comparable: both use in vitro plant cell cultivation to produce standardised, sustainable botanical actives for premium cosmetic and pharma clients.
• Indena: Italian producer of standardised botanical extracts and active pharmaceutical ingredients from plants for pharma and nutraceutical markets. Comparable in producing high-purity, IP-protected botanical actives under CDMO-like supply arrangements.
• Naolys: French producer of plant stem cell extracts (Natrue-approved) for the cosmetics industry. Closely comparable CDMO-style model turning botanical cells into standardised cosmetic actives with full traceability.
• Flavex Naturextrakte: German specialist in supercritical CO2 and botanical extracts for cosmetics and pharma. Comparable as a European boutique producer of premium, standardised plant-based actives with similar customer overlap.
• Plant Advanced Technologies (PAT): French biotech using plant cell culture and aeroponics to produce rare bioactive compounds for cosmetics, pharma, and nutraceuticals. Highly comparable biotechnology platform and multi-industry customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/in-vitro-plant-tech

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 In vitro Plant-tech