What Berg+Schmidt - Care Ingredients does

Berg+Schmidt Care Ingredients, legally operating as Berg+Schmidt Solutions GmbH & Co. KG since the September 1, 2025 unification of its Care Ingredients and Performance Chemicals divisions, is a Hamburg-based B2B specialty oleochemical supplier founded in 1955 and wholly owned by the family-owned Stern-Wywiol Gruppe. The Care Ingredients division supplies cosmetic and personal care manufacturers with a multi-brand portfolio of natural raw materials organized around functional categories: BergaMuls (Pickering emulsifiers and fiber-blend emulsifier systems, including emulsifier-free claim solutions), BergaCare (emollients, emulsifiers, butters, UV filters, and delivery systems), BergaSom (phospholipid-based natural emulsifiers), BergaSoft (conditioning agents), BergaBest (MCT oils and esters), Vegarol (fatty alcohols), Palmac (fatty acids), Sternoil (castor oil derivatives), GlyAcid (glycolic acid via partner CrossChem), GreenWax (W/O emulsifiers), and the Green Line™ sustainable ingredients line. Its underlying technology platform rests on three proprietary delivery systems — SmartLipids (nanolipid carriers encapsulating Bakuchiol, Ceramides, Q10, and Retinol for controlled release and improved bioavailability), AquaLipids (water-dispersible active oil systems eliminating co-solvents), and the BergaMuls synergistic fiber mixtures enabling Pickering emulsions — supported by 11 application laboratories and 3,000 m² of technology center space at Ahrensberg under the parent group's R&D infrastructure.

The company monetizes through direct B2B sales of cosmetic raw materials — emollients, emulsifiers, surfactants, conditioning agents, active ingredients, UV filters, butters, fats, and waxes — at quote-based, non-publicly-disclosed pricing to formulation companies across five primary end-applications (skin care, hair care, sun protection, oral hygiene, decorative cosmetics). Its go-to-market combines a sales-led enterprise motion with website-driven inquiry and sample-request forms, while global distribution and logistics leverage the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe parent network. Recent commercial priorities include the Texture & Sensory Compass formulation tool launched at in-cosmetics 2025, sustainable ingredient positioning via Green Line™, and voluntary EUDR compliance preparation ahead of the December 30, 2025 regulatory deadline — all aimed at deepening the company's position as a formulation partner rather than a commodity ingredient vendor.

Operationally, Berg+Schmidt reports a headcount of 11–50 employees, maintains its registered office at An der Alster 82 in Hamburg, and is led by Managing Directors Tim Monteiro Sprenger and Torsten Wywiol. The firm holds a registered Green Line™ trademark, has no disclosed subsidiaries, no funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no published financial figures, making its revenue and growth profile inferable only through qualitative signals such as product launch cadence, international trade show presence, and parent-group distribution reach.

Name

Berg+Schmidt - Care Ingredients

Legal name

Berg+Schmidt Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://solutions.berg-schmidt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Berg+Schmidt Care Ingredients is a Hamburg-based B2B supplier of natural cosmetic raw materials — including proprietary SmartLipids and AquaLipids delivery systems, emulsifiers, emollients, and UV filters — serving cosmetic and personal care manufacturers worldwide as part of the Stern-Wywiol Gruppe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetic Raw Materials

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613), Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Fats & Oils (2070)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lipid-Based Emulsions & Encapsulated Oils (Spray-Dried Oils, Microencapsulation) (AFAJALAM), Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives (IMAEABAL), Mono- & Diglycerides (E471) & Derivatives (DATEM, SSL/CSL, Lactylates) (AFAJACAB)

Keywords

• Cosmetic raw materials
• Oleochemical ingredients
• Natural emulsifiers
• Specialty chemicals
• Active ingredient delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cosmetic Raw Materials Sales: B2B sales of specialty oleochemical ingredients including emollients, emulsifiers, surfactants, conditioning agents, active ingredients, UV filters, butters, fats, and waxes to cosmetic manufacturers. Products sold in various volumes to formulation companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Berg+Schmidt supplies specialty oleochemical and natural raw materials to cosmetic and personal-care manufacturers, including emollients, emulsifiers, surfactants, conditioning agents, active ingredients, UV filters, butters, fats, and waxes. The portfolio is built around proprietary delivery technologies such as SmartLipids nanolipid carriers and AquaLipids water-dispersible active oils, plus Pickering-emulsion fiber blends for clean-label formulations. The unified entity (effective September 1, 2025) also markets esters, fatty acids/alcohols, castor oil derivatives and corrosion inhibitors to 16 industrial verticals under the Performance Chemicals division.

Product overview

Berg+Schmidt is a supplier of natural cosmetic raw materials and performance chemicals with two operating divisions: Care Ingredients and Performance Chemicals, both now unified under Berg+Schmidt Solutions GmbH & Co. KG (effective September 1, 2025). The Care Ingredients division offers a multi-brand portfolio organized around product function: BergaMuls (Pickering emulsifiers and fiber blends), BergaCare (emollients/emulsifiers including EM, GS, SB, FG, IN, Sun, SmartLipids, AquaLipids sub-lines), BergaSom (phospholipid-based natural emulsifiers), BergaSoft (conditioning agents), BergaBest (MCT oils and esters), plus supporting brands Vegarol (fatty alcohols), Palmac (fatty acids), Sternoil (castor oil derivatives), GlyAcid (active ingredient), and GreenWax (W/O emulsifiers). Advanced delivery technologies include SmartLipids (nanolipid carriers for actives like Bakuchiol, Ceramides, Q10, Retinol) and AquaLipids (water-soluble active oil systems). The Texture & Sensory Compass is a formulation tool. The Performance Chemicals division covers Esters, Fatty Acids, Fatty Alcohols, Castor Oil Derivatives, Alcohols, and Corrosion Inhibitors under brands including BergaGuard, BergaSurf, BergaLub, Bergazid, and Bergarol, serving 16 industry verticals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BergaMuls Emulsifier and stabilizer line based on synergistic fiber blends, including Pickering emulsions enabling emulsifier-free product claims and natural emulsification solutions for natural cosmetics, for use by cosmetic manufacturers.
• BergaCare Comprehensive line of cosmetic raw materials including emollients (EM series), emulsifiers, butters (SB), UV filters (Sun), delivery systems (SmartLipids, AquaLipids), and conditioning agents for skin, hair, sun care, and decorative cosmetics.
• BergaSom Phospholipid-based emulsifiers (lecithin derivatives) for natural cosmetics, forming Dermo-Membrane structures suitable for O/W and W/O emulsions with skin-barrier-protecting properties.
• BergaSoft Conditioning and softening agents for cosmetic formulations across skin, hair, and decorative cosmetics applications.
• BergaBest MCT oils and emollient esters (MCT Oil 60/40, MCT Oil 70/30, PGDE) for skin and hair care formulations with natural fatty acid profiles.
• Vegarol Fatty alcohol line (1214, 1216, 1218 series) for emollient, emulsifier, and viscosity-modifying applications in body care products including shampoos.
• Palmac Fatty acid product line including lauric acid (99-12), myristic acid (99-14), palmitic acid (98-16), and stearic acid (50-18) for stabilizers, surfactants, and cosmetics.
• Sternoil Castor oil derivative line including ricinoleic acid, hydroxystearic acid, hydrogenated castor oil, and poly ricinoleic acid for emulsifiers, solubilisers, and surfactants.
• GlyAcid High-purity glycolic acid for gentle yet effective exfoliation in skincare formulations, sourced through partner CrossChem.
• GreenWax Versatile W/O emulsifier blend ideal for natural cosmetics and skin care, providing light, soft textures superior to conventional W/O emulsions.
• Green Line™ Sustainable cosmetic ingredient line using biotechnology innovation, sustainable sourcing, and high-performance natural ingredients for clean beauty applications.
• SmartLipids Nanolipid carrier technology for improved dermal and cosmetic formulations, enabling stable incorporation, good bioavailability, high active loading, controlled release, and natural skin barrier support, including Bakuchiol, Ceramides (Light, Plus), Q10, and Retinol variants.
• AquaLipids Water-soluble active oil delivery system using an Add-in approach for easy incorporation of active oils (Bisabolol AR, Cassis BR, Melon BK, Punica PS) without co-solvents or assistants, containing Alpha-Bisabolol, blackcurrant/rosehip oils, Kalahari melon oil, and pomegranate/seabuckthorn oils.
• BergaCare FG Gel Natural oil thickener for transparent and viscous oil gels, gel creams, and solid gel textures, cold-processable with thixotropic behavior, suitable for suspending pigments and mineral UV filters.
• Texture & Sensory Compass Innovative formulation tool for natural raw materials that assists in skincare and cosmetics product development, providing guidance through textures guided by sensory evaluation.
• BergaGuard Corrosion inhibitor product line for performance chemical applications.
• BergaSurf Surfactant product line for performance chemical applications across various industries.
• BergaLub Lubricant product line for performance chemical applications.
• Bergazid Acid product line for performance chemical applications.
• Bergarol Fatty alcohol product line for performance chemical applications.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Green Line™ IngredientscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainable cosmetic ingredients. Green Line™ shapes the future of clean beauty through biotechnology innovation, sustainable sourcing, and high-performance natural ingredients. Collaboration provides innovative solutions for body care formulations including natural extracts and multifunctional active ingredients.
• CrossChemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing innovative body care solutions. CrossChem delivers pure chemistry and innovation, including high-purity GlyAcid® for gentle yet effective peeling formulations. Collaboration enables provision of best ingredients for today's formulations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Evonik Industries: Evonik's Care Solutions business line is a global leader in specialty ingredients for personal care and cosmetics, including emulsifiers, conditioning agents, and actives—directly competing with Berg+Schmidt's Care Ingredients portfolio but at far greater scale and with a broader geographic footprint.
• BASF Personal Care: BASF's Care Chemicals division supplies surfactants, emollients, UV filters, and active ingredients to the cosmetics industry, overlapping heavily with Berg+Schmidt's BergaCare, BergaSun, and BergaBest product lines while serving a much larger global customer base.

Direct peers

• Lubrizol Life Science (Berkshire Hathaway): Lubrizol's Beauty and Personal Care business produces specialty polymers, emulsifiers, and active delivery systems for cosmetic formulations, providing direct competitive overlap with Berg+Schmidt's delivery technologies (SmartLipids, AquaLipids) and emulsifier portfolio.
• KLK Oleo: KLK Oleo is a global oleochemical manufacturer producing fatty acids, fatty alcohols, esters, and glycerin for personal care and industrial applications—directly overlapping with Berg+Schmidt's core fatty-acid and fatty-alcohol product lines.
• Stepan Company: Stepan produces surfactants, esters, and specialty ingredients for personal care, cleaning, and industrial applications, overlapping with Berg+Schmidt's BergaSurf surfactant line and broader Performance Chemicals offering.
• Clariant: Clariant's Personal Care specialty business supplies surfactants, conditioning agents, and natural-based ingredients to cosmetic formulators, competing directly with Berg+Schmidt's BergaSoft conditioning range and broader Care Ingredients catalog.
• Ashland: Ashland's Life Sciences / Personal Care division supplies specialty ingredients including rheology modifiers, conditioning agents, and bioactive ingredients for skin and hair care, overlapping closely with Berg+Schmidt's BergaCare and BergaSoft lines.
• Croda International: Croda is a leading specialty ingredients supplier focused on personal care, offering emollients, surfactants, active ingredients, and delivery systems—directly comparable to Berg+Schmidt's portfolio with strong emphasis on sustainable and natural cosmetic ingredients.
• IOI Oleo: IOI Oleo is a specialty oleochemical producer offering fatty acids, fatty alcohols, MCT oils, and emollients based on palm and coconut—competing head-to-head with Berg+Schmidt's Palmac, Vegarol, and BergaBest portfolios in personal care and industrial markets.

Others

• Stern-Wywiol Gruppe (parent): Stern-Wywiol Gruppe is the parent conglomerate housing Berg+Schmidt alongside sister companies (e.g., SternEnzym, Mehler, Pharma) serving food, supplements, animal nutrition, and cosmetics—relevant as the strategic and operational ecosystem within which Berg+Schmidt operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berg-and-schmidt-care-ingredients

Compliance1 record

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 Berg+Schmidt - Care Ingredients