What Chemische Fabrik Berg does

Chemische Fabrik Berg GmbH ("CFB") is a German specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1953, operating a multi-purpose GMP plant at the Chemiepark Bitterfeld-Wolfen. The company produces approximately 40 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for human and veterinary medicine — including barbiturates, sedatives, hypnotics, and controlled drug substances — alongside quaternary ammonium compounds (phase transfer catalysts), fine chemicals, intermediates, and diagnostic/dental chemicals. Its technology base includes a 50 cubic meter total reactor capacity using 600L to 6,000L stainless steel and glass-lined vessels, stainless steel and Hastelloy vertical centrifuges, paddle/tray and double-conical dryers, an aqua purification system (since 2013), and a Spiral Jet Mill MC 300 for GMP micronisation; centrifugation, drying, milling, and packaging are conducted under Class D clean room conditions finalized in September 2016.

CFB operates a B2B direct-sales model. Revenue is generated through (i) sales of APIs (including a growing generic API line), fine chemicals, intermediates, and quaternary ammonium compounds under project-quoted contracts, and (ii) custom manufacturing / contract synthesis services spanning alkylation, condensation, cyanation, cyclization, esterification, Grignard, hydrogenation, Michael addition, oxidation, quaternization, Ritter reaction, salification, and saponification, alongside GMP micronisation, sterile lyophilisation, and re-packaging services for high-potency products. Customers are pharmaceutical manufacturers and chemical industry buyers globally; CFB holds DMF registrations in more than 30 countries and approximately 20 DMFs plus 6 CEPs from EDQM.

The company was acquired by PMC Global Inc. (Sun Valley, California) in 2003 and has operated since 2009 as an independent member of the Moehs Group (Spain), benefitting from shared R&D (Moehs Catalana in Spain, Norchim in France) and a group-wide global marketing strategy across eight sister production sites in Spain, France, Belgium, and Germany. CFB was among the earliest GMP-certified API producers in Germany (first certificate February 2000, seven years before mandatory), and maintains approval from the US FDA (last inspection June 2018) and Korean FDA (last inspection August 2013); the latest German GMP inspection was passed in May 2024. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the company is privately held and serves enterprise pharmaceutical customers only, with no consumer-facing distribution.

Name

Chemische Fabrik Berg

Legal name

Chemische Fabrik Berg GmbH

Website

https://cfb.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

German GMP-certified Chemische Fabrik Berg manufactures approximately 40 active pharmaceutical ingredients, fine chemicals, intermediates, and quaternary ammonium compounds for the global pharmaceutical industry, offering custom synthesis and contract manufacturing from its Bitterfeld-Wolfen plant as part of the Moehs Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541), Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Controlled Substances / DEA-Scheduled API Manufacturing (HLAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Impurity / Reference Standard Synthesis & Characterization (HLAGAHAG)

Keywords

• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• GMP contract manufacturing
• Fine chemicals production
• Pharmaceutical intermediates
• Custom synthesis services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bitterfeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): Manufacture and sale of approximately 40 active pharmaceutical ingredients for human and veterinary medicine, including controlled drug substances, marketed worldwide.
2. Generic APIs: Growing portfolio of generic APIs in development or already available for commercial sale.
3. Fine Chemicals and Intermediates: Production and sale of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates.
4. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: Manufacture of quaternary ammonium compounds, including benzyltributylammonium chloride, benzyltriethylammonium chloride, tetrabutylammonium bromide, and others. Some are REACH registered.
5. Custom Manufacturing / Contract Synthesis: Custom manufacturing services with flexibility in lot sizes from a few kilograms to several hundred kilograms per campaign. Supports a wide range of chemical reactions including alkylation, condensation, cyanation, cyclization, esterification, Grignard, hydrogenation, Michael addition, oxidation, quaternization, Ritter reaction, salification, and saponification. Feasibility analysis typically takes 1–2 weeks.
6. GMP Services (Micronisation and Re-packaging): GMP micronisation of APIs under clean room Class D conditions, and re-packaging of high-toxic or high-potency products (up to OEL 5) from bulk goods into customized package sizes. Includes sterile lyophilisation partnership capabilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Chemische Fabrik Berg manufactures and sells approximately 40 GMP-certified active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for human and veterinary medicine, including controlled drug substances, marketed worldwide under approximately 20 Drug Master Files and 6 Certificates of Suitability. The company also produces fine chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, quaternary ammonium compounds, and offers custom contract synthesis and GMP micronisation/re-packaging services from its Bitterfeld-Wolfen plant.

Product overview

Chemische Fabrik Berg is a GMP-certified pharmaceutical chemical manufacturer offering a portfolio of approximately 40 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for human and veterinary medicine, fine chemicals and medical device intermediates, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The company's products are organized around five main categories: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (including barbiturates, sedatives, and controlled substances), Diagnostics/Fine Chemicals/Intermediates (including barbituric acid derivatives), Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (phase transfer catalysts), Custom Manufacturing Services (with expertise in pyrimidine chemistry), and ancillary Services including GMP micronisation and re-packaging. All manufacturing operations are conducted under clean room Class D conditions with GMP compliance, and the company is an independent member of the Moehs Group, Spain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) GMP-manufactured active pharmaceutical ingredients for human and veterinary medicine, including barbiturates, sedatives, hypnotics, controlled drug substances, and APIs for cardiovascular, epilepsy, insomnia, and appetite-suppressant applications. Marketed to pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
• Diagnostics, Fine Chemicals, Intermediates & Medical Devices Fine chemicals and intermediates including barbituric acid derivatives, dimedone, chloral hydrate, and other specialty chemicals for industrial, pharmaceutical, dental, and diagnostic applications.
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Specialty quaternary ammonium compounds used as phase transfer catalysts and biocides, including benzyltributylammonium chloride, benzyltriethylammonium chloride, tetrabutylammonium bromide, and others, with selected products REACH registered.
• Custom Manufacturing Services (Contract Synthesis) Custom contract synthesis services spanning a wide range of chemical reactions — alkylation, condensation/cyclization, cyanation, hydrogenation, oxidation, quaternization, salification, saponification, esterification, Grignard, Michael addition, and Ritter reaction — with lot sizes from a few kilograms to several hundred kilograms per campaign. Pyrimidine chemistry is a particular specialty.
• GMP Micronisation Services Custom GMP micronisation of APIs under Class D clean room conditions using a Spiral Jet Mill MC 300, including special permission for micronisation of controlled drug substances, achieving particle sizes between 0.5 and 10 micrometers.
• GMP Re-packaging Services GMP re-packaging of high-toxicity or high-potency products (up to OEL 5) from bulk goods into customized package sizes, conducted under Class D clean room conditions using a barrier workbench.

Quantifiable outcome

• Process development from R&D start to market entry typically takes 18–24 months
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Securitas Fire & Safety GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersContractual partnership with the site fire brigade (Werkfeuerwehr) of Securitas Fire & Safety GmbH & Co. KG, located within Chemiepark Bitterfeld-Wolfen. The fire brigade provides firefighting services within the operating area and can arrive on-site within 5 minutes in case of emergency.
• Norchim S.A.S. (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorchim S.A.S., located in Saint Leu d'Esserent, France, is part of the Moehs Group. CFB leverages Norchim's experienced R&D team for process development and troubleshooting as part of the group's shared R&D capacity.
• Moehs Catalana, S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group. Chemische Fabrik Berg is a partner within the PMC/Moehs group in Europe, sharing R&D capacities, development resources, and a joint global marketing strategy for APIs, fine chemicals, generics, and custom products.
• Benechim S.P.R.L. (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group, specializing in pharmaceutical ingredient development and manufacturing. Shares synergies and resources within the group.
• Moehs Ibérica, S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group, headquarters at Pol. Ind. Cova Solera, Rubí, Spain. Part of the shared manufacturing and R&D network.
• Moehs Cántabra, S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group, located in Polanco, Spain. Contributes to the group's shared manufacturing and development capabilities.
• Coprima, S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group, located in Polinyà, Spain. Specialized in pharmaceutical ingredient development and manufacturing.
• Moehs BCN, S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group, located in Castellbisbal, Spain. Part of the group's shared R&D and manufacturing network.
• Proteos Biotech, S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Moehs Group, located in Albacete, Spain. Contributes to the group's specialized pharmaceutical ingredient development capabilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aenova Group: German CDMO and pharmaceutical manufacturer with API and finished-dose capabilities, headquartered in Bavaria — comparable German-headquartered regulated manufacturer serving similar pharmaceutical customers across Europe.
• Siegfried Holding: Swiss-listed API manufacturer with a multi-purpose plant network producing both branded and generic APIs and offering custom manufacturing — directly comparable in business model, customer base (pharma companies), and regulatory-grade API manufacturing.
• Carbogen Amcis: Swiss-headquartered API and drug-product CDMO with expertise in highly potent and complex small molecules — comparable in niche custom synthesis positioning and highly regulated manufacturing.
• Hovione: Portuguese-headquartered CDMO specializing in GMP active pharmaceutical ingredients, complex multi-stage synthesis, and particle engineering (micronisation) — directly comparable in custom synthesis service offering and regulated API manufacturing scope.
• Fareva: French-headquartered pharmaceutical CDMO with API and drug product manufacturing across multiple European sites — comparable in custom synthesis service offering and European pharma customer base.
• Cambrex: US-headquartered (now Permira-owned) small-molecule API and contract manufacturer with FDA-inspected facilities and broad DMF coverage — directly comparable in GMP API production, controlled-substance capability, and custom synthesis services.
• Dipharma Francis: Italian generic API manufacturer with CDMO services and a broad small-molecule portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas — directly comparable in generic API focus, GMP manufacturing, and European customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Matthey (Pharma & Medical Technologies): UK-headquartered specialty chemicals and pharma services company offering API and catalyst manufacturing — broader scope but overlapping in complex small-molecule API manufacturing and custom synthesis services.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pharma Services / Patheon): Global CDMO major offering API, drug product, and packaging services — much larger and broader, but overlapping in small-molecule API manufacturing and custom development for pharmaceutical customers.
• Evonik Industries (Pharma & Health Care): Large German specialty chemicals group with a dedicated pharma services line including API manufacturing and CDMO capabilities — broader portfolio but overlapping in regulated small-molecule API offerings and European customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chemische-fabrik-berg-gmbh

Compliance5 records

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 →

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