VARIATI S.P.A.
Variati S.p.A. is an Italian B2B distributor, founded in 1926, supplying specialty active ingredients and raw materials to cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers in Italy under exclusive agency agreements with 15+ international principals and a proprietary Variati Specialties brand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1926
- HeadquartersConcorezzo, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What VARIATI S.P.A. does
Variati S.p.A. is an Italian B2B distributor of specialty active ingredients and raw materials serving cosmetics and nutraceutical product manufacturers. Founded in 1926 by Giuseppe Variati in Concorezzo (near Milan), the company operates two divisions — Cosmetica and Nutraceutica — supplying Italian manufacturers with functional actives including probiotic strains, plant extracts, omega-3 fatty acids, hydrolysed proteins, emollients, and moisturizing agents. The product offering combines an extensive third-party distribution portfolio representing 15+ international principals (Lallemand, Laboratoires Expanscience, Vytrus Biotech, Solabia, Terry Laboratories, Kemin, Iprona, Diana Food/Symrise, GC Rieber, among others) with a proprietary Variati Specialties brand, which includes the patented Vari® Stan PE formulation (Italian Patent No. 1416869, granted July 2015) combining Garcinia Mangostana extract with 1,3 propanediol for cosmetic applications.
The company monetizes through B2B transaction-based distribution on quoted pricing (with a €500 minimum order value), earning margins as exclusive Italian agent for its represented suppliers. Technical consulting and a dedicated regulatory office are positioned as differentiators, supporting customers on formulation, compliance documentation, and quality assurance. Variati maintains active presence at major European industry trade shows (in-cosmetics Global, Vitafoods Europe) and runs a content-marketing motion via newsletters, webinars, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. The company holds ECOCERT-COSMOS certification for natural ingredient distribution and participates in reforestation initiatives via PrintReleaf.
In September 2025, Variati was acquired by Deimos Group, a diversified Italian distribution conglomerate spanning food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, agriculture and pet food, with Robin Variati continuing as Chairman. One month later in October 2025, Variati joined the Specialty Ingredients Distribution Group (SIDG), a pan-European alliance of independent distributors for Life Sciences, signaling intent to extend geographic reach beyond Italy while retaining operational autonomy.
VARIATI S.P.A. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VARIATI S.P.A.
- Legal name
- VARIATI S.P.A.
- Website
- https://variati.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1926
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Variati S.p.A. is an Italian B2B distributor, founded in 1926, supplying specialty active ingredients and raw materials to cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers in Italy under exclusive agency agreements with 15+ international principals and a proprietary Variati Specialties brand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VARIATI S.P.A. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Ingredients Distribution
- NAICS
- Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ingredients, Spices & Culinary Supplies Distribution (CRAOABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply) (HLAIAJAO)
Keywords
Where VARIATI S.P.A. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Concorezzo
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
VARIATI S.P.A. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ingredient Distribution: Variati acts as exclusive Italian distributor for international ingredient manufacturers, earning margins on the sale of active ingredients, raw materials, and specialty chemicals to cosmetics and nutraceutical companies. The company represents multiple global brands across both sectors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | B2B ingredient supply with minimum order threshold |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
VARIATI S.P.A. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VARIATI S.P.A. distributes active ingredients and raw materials for Italian cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers, operating two core divisions — Cosmetica and Nutraceutica. The company combines its proprietary Variati Specialties brand (including the patented Vari® Stan PE formulation) with exclusive Italian distribution rights for an extensive portfolio of international ingredient suppliers such as Lallemand, Expanscience, Vytrus Biotech, Solabia, Kemin, Iprona, and Diana Food (Symrise). Technical consulting and regulatory compliance support are offered alongside product supply under a quote-based B2B model with a €500 minimum order value.
Product overview
VARIATI S.P.A. is a distributor and supplier of active ingredients and raw materials for the cosmetic and nutraceutical industries in Italy. The company operates two main divisions: Cosmetica (Cosmetics) providing raw materials to cosmetic companies, and Nutraceutica (Nutraceuticals) supplying functional ingredients for dietary supplements. The portfolio consists of proprietary Variati Specialties brand products (including patented Vari® Stan PE, Avogelia, and specialty ingredients like antibacterial, emollient, moisturizing, and hydrolysed proteins) combined with an extensive distribution network of prestigious global ingredient suppliers. The company, founded in 1926 and now part of Deimos Group and SIDG, offers technical consulting and regulatory services alongside its product portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cosmetica Division (Cosmetic Ingredients) Core division supplying Italian cosmetic manufacturers with high-quality raw materials and active ingredients, paired with technical research expertise and decades of market experience. Targeted at cosmetics producers seeking premium ingredients with a creative Made in Italy approach.
- Nutraceutica Division (Nutraceutical Ingredients)
Quantifiable outcome
- Products supported by clinical studies and scientific documentation demonstrating effectiveness
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use VARIATI S.P.A.
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
VARIATI S.P.A. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
VARIATI S.P.A. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Specialty Ingredients Distribution Group (SIDG)coreVariati joined SIDG, a pan-European alliance of independent and entrepreneurial companies active in distribution of ingredients and specialty chemicals for Life Sciences. Partnership enables sharing expertise, vision and values with like-minded European companies while maintaining entrepreneurial autonomy.
- Deimos GroupcoreDeimos Group acquired Variati S.p.A. in September 2025, combining expertise and vision to strengthen leadership in Life Science markets. This acquisition expanded Deimos Group's presence in nutraceutical and cosmetic sectors. Variati maintains its brand identity under 'Variati Specialties' while benefiting from Deimos Group's broader infrastructure.
- AromataGroupminorRenewed collaboration for Italian cosmetics and food supplements market. Variati SPA acts as agency for AromataGroup's natural flavors portfolio, including product line acquired from Muller & Koster.
- Organo BalanceminorDistribution agreement signed with German manufacturer Organo Balance, specializing in innovative active ingredients for nutraceutical and cosmetic sectors based on selected microbial strains. Key products include Pylopass™ for gastric supplements and Lactobacillus Stimulans™ for topical cosmetic formulations.
- LallemandcoreExclusive Italian distributor for Lallemand Health Solutions, providing probiotic strains and lactic ferments for nutraceutical applications.
- Laboratoires ExpansciencecoreExclusive Italian distributor for Laboratoires Expanscience, providing active ingredients including Skinhairgium Bio, recognized with awards at In-Cosmetics Global.
- Vytrus BiotechcoreExclusive Italian distributor for Vytrus Biotech, a Spanish biotech company specializing in botanical actives. Products include Olea VitaePLF and Sarcoslim Re-Shape, winners of Green Ingredient Awards.
- Solabia GroupcoreExclusive Italian distributor for Solabia Group, providing fisio-esters and other functional ingredients for cosmetics and nutraceuticals.
- INdermalminorNew Italian brand represented by Variati, specializing in innovative cosmetic ingredients.
- Down Under EnterprisesminorNew supplier partnership for Australian natural ingredients suitable for cosmetic and nutraceutical applications.
- KeminminorRepresented supplier for nutritional ingredients including BetaVia Complete and other functional materials.
- Diana Food (Symrise)minorRepresented supplier providing plant extracts and polyphenol-rich ingredients from red fruits and berries.
- Iprona AGminorRepresented supplier specializing in berry extracts including BerryPharma for nutraceutical applications.
- GC RieberminorRepresented supplier providing omega-3 and specialty oils for nutritional supplements.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
VARIATI S.P.A. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brenntag: World's largest chemical and ingredients distributor with significant life sciences and personal care presence in Europe. While broader and less specialized than Variati, it competes for the same Italian and European formulators and offers overlapping product categories.
- Givaudan Active Beauty: Global leader in fragrances and a major supplier of cosmetic active ingredients through its Active Beauty division. Sells botanical and biotech-derived actives similar to those in Variati's portfolio, both directly and via distributors, making it both a competitor and a potential supplier.
- Univar Solutions: North American-rooted global specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor serving personal care, food ingredients, and nutraceutical markets. Competes with Variati indirectly through pan-European formulators and through overlapping supplier principals.
- Deimos Group: Italian diversified distributor of raw materials and ingredients across food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, agriculture, and pet food. Acquired Variati in 2025; serves as parent and operates in the same distribution space but across many more verticals and customers in Italy.
Direct peers
- IMCD Group: Leading global specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with deep coverage in personal care, nutraceuticals, and food. Highly comparable distribution-led model with exclusive supplier mandates and technical formulation support, serving many of the same end customers as Variati.
- Azelis: Global specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor serving cosmetics, personal care, nutraceuticals, and food markets across Europe. Closely comparable business model to Variati (exclusive distribution mandates, technical service, application labs), but at much larger pan-European scale.
- Barentz: European-headquartered specialty ingredient distributor focused on life sciences including personal care and nutrition. Comparable supplier portfolio approach, regional distribution model, and value-added technical services to formulators in cosmetics and supplements.
Emerging players
- Seppic (Air Liquide): Specialty ingredient manufacturer and supplier for cosmetics and health markets, owned by Air Liquide. Provides many of the same categories of actives (polymers, emollients, actives) that Variati distributes, and competes at the formulation-stage in personal care and nutraceuticals.
Others
- Lallemand Health Solutions: Global probiotic and yeast producer whose Italian health solutions business is exclusively distributed by Variati. While primarily a supplier rather than competitor, Lallemand's choice of distribution model mirrors Variati's strategic positioning in the nutraceutical active ingredient market.
- Symrise Diana Food: Diana Food (part of Symrise) supplies plant extracts and polyphenol-rich fruit ingredients that Variati distributes in Italy. Represents an overlapping ingredient portfolio at the principal/supplier level, illustrating Variati's value as a localized distribution channel for global ingredient makers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VARIATI S.P.A. social profiles
Digital presenceVARIATI S.P.A. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
VARIATI S.P.A. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VARIATI S.P.A. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
VARIATI S.P.A. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VARIATI S.P.A. 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 VARIATI S.P.A.
What does VARIATI S.P.A. do?
VARIATI S.P.A. distributes active ingredients and raw materials for Italian cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers, operating two core divisions — Cosmetica and Nutraceutica. The company combines its proprietary Variati Specialties brand (including the patented Vari® Stan PE formulation) with exclusive Italian distribution rights for an extensive portfolio of international ingredient suppliers such as Lallemand, Expanscience, Vytrus Biotech, Solabia, Kemin, Iprona, and Diana Food (Symrise). Technical consulting and regulatory compliance support are offered alongside product supply under a quote-based B2B model with a €500 minimum order value.
Is VARIATI S.P.A. a public or private company?
VARIATI S.P.A. is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was VARIATI S.P.A. founded?
VARIATI S.P.A. was founded in 1926. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VARIATI S.P.A. based?
VARIATI S.P.A. is headquartered in Concorezzo, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does VARIATI S.P.A. make money?
One revenue line is on record: ingredient Distribution.
Who are VARIATI S.P.A.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brenntag, Givaudan Active Beauty, Univar Solutions and Deimos Group. Direct peers are IMCD Group, Azelis and Barentz. Seppic (Air Liquide) is listed as an emerging player. Others are Lallemand Health Solutions and Symrise Diana Food.
Does VARIATI S.P.A. have an API?
No public API is recorded for VARIATI S.P.A..
What industry is VARIATI S.P.A. in?
VARIATI S.P.A.'s product category is Specialty Ingredients Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOABAK, Ingredients, Spices & Culinary Supplies Distribution, with a secondary code of HLAIAJAO, Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply). Its NAICS code is 325411 and its SIC code is 2833.