CLR

What CLR does

CLR (Chemisches Laboratorium Dr. Kurt Richter GmbH) is a privately held, Berlin-based B2B manufacturer of bioactive cosmetic ingredients, founded in 1926 and approaching its centennial. The company develops and supplies fermented postbiotic lysates, milk peptide complexes, and plant-derived actives to cosmetics formulators, contract manufacturers, and brand owners operating in global personal-care markets. It markets solutions under the CLR sub-brand across anti-aging, moisturization, sensitive and oily skin, barrier and repair, and hair care categories.

Core technology rests on proprietary fermentation processes using probiotic bacteria and microalgae, with more than 40 years of accumulated know-how in producing postbiotic lysates. The commercial portfolio includes SkinCharge CLR™ (anti-aging), MPC™ Milk Peptide Complex, Phytosan™ NewAge, CefiraProtect CLR™ and G+C Complex CLR™ (barrier and repair), and MultiMoist CLR™ (moisturization). A 118+ formulation library, clinical validation studies, and AI-assisted image analysis for periorbital aging claim substantiation underpin customer product development. Certifications include COSMOS, NATRUE, Halal, EFfCI GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and SA8000.

CLR generates revenue through direct ingredient supply to enterprise cosmetics manufacturers supplemented by an appointed distributor network spanning Asia (Taiwan, India, Thailand, China), Europe (UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain), and the Americas (Brazil, Canada). The company is owner-managed by Managing Director Dr. Stefan Borchert, operates from a single Berlin site that integrates research, production, and administration, and has committed to externally validated sustainability targets — including an SBTi-validated 23% Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction by 2030 and EcoVadis Gold status maintained over six consecutive years.

Name

CLR

Legal name

Chemisches Laboratorium Dr. Kurt Richter GmbH

Website

https://clr-berlin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CLR (Chemisches Laboratorium Dr. Kurt Richter GmbH) is a Berlin-based B2B manufacturer of biotech-fermented cosmetic active ingredients — including postbiotic lysates, milk peptide complexes, and plant-derived actives — serving global cosmetics formulators and brand owners across anti-aging, moisturization, barrier repair, and hair care categories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetic Active Ingredients

NAICS

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO)

Keywords

• Cosmetic active ingredients
• Biotechnology fermentation
• Postbiotic lysates
• Anti-aging skincare actives
• Hair care ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin-müggelheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Active Ingredients Sales: CLR develops and manufactures biotechnological active ingredients for the cosmetics industry. Products include anti-aging actives, moisturizers, barrier repair ingredients, and hair care solutions sold directly to cosmetics formulators and manufacturers worldwide.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CLR develops and manufactures biotechnological active ingredients for the cosmetics industry, producing science-backed actives such as anti-aging complexes, postbiotic lysates, moisturizers, barrier repair ingredients, and hair care solutions. The company supplies cosmetics manufacturers and formulators globally with high-purity ingredients backed by clinical studies, formulation concepts, and multiple certifications (COSMOS, NATRUE, Halal, ISO). In cooperation with customers, CLR co-develops tailor-made cosmetic concepts to meet specific formulation requirements.

Product overview

CLR (Chemisches Laboratorium Dr. Kurt Richter GmbH) is a manufacturer of cosmetic active ingredients founded in 1926, supplying the cosmetics industry with high-quality actives focused on developing new products with scientifically proven effects. The portfolio includes SkinCharge CLR™ for digital-age skin longevity, MPC™ and Phytosan™ NewAge for longevity/anti-aging applications, MultiMoist CLR™ for hydration, and postbiotic lysates including CefiraProtect CLR™ and G+C Complex CLR™. Products are categorized by functionality including Anti-Aging, Moisturizers, Sensitive & Oily Skin, Barrier & Repair, and Hair Care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SkinCharge CLR™: A new active ingredient innovation designed to support skin exposed to digital screen exposure, addressing skin longevity in the modern digital age.
• MPC™ – Milk Peptide Complex
• Phytosan™ NewAge

Products and services

• SkinCharge CLR™ An active ingredient innovation designed to support skin exposed to modern digital lives. It helps soften expression-related wrinkling, improves eye contour appearance, and supports fresher, more rested overall skin appearance, even in individuals with high screen exposure.
• MPC™ – Milk Peptide Complex A longevity-focused skincare active ingredient that delivers visible improvements in skin firmness and wrinkle reduction within 14 days, positioned as a science-backed solution for advanced anti-ageing and regenerative skincare formulations.
• Phytosan™ NewAge A longevity-focused skincare active ingredient demonstrating significant reductions in wrinkles after 42 days alongside measurable gains in skin elasticity and firmness, designed as a complementary active for anti-ageing formulations.
• CefiraProtect CLR™ A postbiotic lysate active ingredient produced through fermentation, purification, and fragmentation processes, part of CLR's biotechnology-based product portfolio.
• G+C Complex CLR™ A postbiotic lysate active ingredient produced through fermentation, purification, and fragmentation processes, part of CLR's biotechnology-based product portfolio.
• MultiMoist CLR™ An active ingredient for maintaining skin hydration and balance, supporting moisturization, soothing, and stressed skin support in cosmetic formulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• MPC™ – Milk Peptide Complex delivered visible improvements in skin firmness and wrinkle reduction within 14 days
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TannmercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional distributor for Taiwan market. Provides local sales booth support at BIO Asia-Taiwan 2026 (booth i1127). Represents CLR's active ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers in Taiwan.
• Pharmacos IndiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional distributor for India market. Provides sales booth support at Cosmo Home Tech Expo 2026 in New Delhi (booth K6). Represents CLR's active ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers in India.
• IMCD Brasil Com. Ind. Produtos Quimicos Ltda.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional distributor for Brazil market. Provides sales booth support at in-cosmetics Latin America 2026 in São Paulo (booth H50). Represents CLR's active ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers in Brazil.
• PT Citra Lestari RejekicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional distributor for Thailand market. Provides sales booth support at in-cosmetics Asia 2026 in Bangkok (booth AF10). Represents CLR's active ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers in Thailand.
• Inquiaroma ItalycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional distributor for Italy market. Provides sales support at Making Cosmetics in Milano. Represents CLR's active ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers in Italy.
• Lake Personal CarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional distributor for UK market. Provides sales booth support at SCS Formulate 2026 in Conventry (booth 809). Represents CLR's active ingredients to cosmetics manufacturers in the United Kingdom.
• Responsible Care Global ChartercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026CLR is a signatory of the Responsible Care Global Charter, committing to safe chemicals handling across product lifecycle, promoting environmental health and safety performance, and contributing to sustainable development.
• Chemie³ InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026CLR aligns with the twelve guidelines of the German chemical industry initiative Chemie³, which reflect UN Sustainable Development Goals including climate protection, sustainable economic growth, and environmental/social standards.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CLR committed to developing science-based climate targets aligned with scenarios for global warming well below 2°C. Target validated by SBTi: 23% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 vs 2021 baseline.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lipoid Kosmetik: Lipoid Kosmetik is a German-based specialty manufacturer of phospholipid-based and botanical cosmetic actives for the personal care industry. As a fellow German Mittelstand cosmetic ingredients supplier, it is highly comparable in scale, philosophy, and B2B go-to-market approach.
• Ichimaru Pharcos: Ichimaru Pharcos is a Japanese specialty supplier of cosmetic actives derived from natural and fermentation-based processes, serving global B2B customers. As a similarly-sized specialty cosmetic actives manufacturer with biotech capabilities, it is among CLR's closest direct peers.
• Provital Group: Provital Group is a Spanish specialty manufacturer of natural and biotechnology-derived cosmetic actives serving global B2B customers. Comparable to CLR as a mid-sized specialty cosmetic actives supplier with biotechnology expertise and a multinational distribution footprint.
• Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (Clariant): Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, now part of Clariant, develops phospholipid-based and bioactive cosmetic actives for premium skincare brands. It is a closely comparable mid-size specialty actives supplier with similar B2B ingredient positioning and biotech-led innovation focus.

Broad incumbents

• DSM-Firmenich Personal Care: DSM-Firmenich supplies cosmetic active ingredients and personal care solutions globally, including biotech and fermentation-based actives. It competes directly with CLR for B2B cosmetic ingredient contracts while offering a much wider portfolio and stronger global sales coverage.
• Givaudan Active Beauty: Givaudan's Active Beauty division develops cosmetic actives including biotech-derived and microbiome-focused ingredients, serving similar B2B customers globally. Comparable to CLR's fermentation/postbiotic offerings but at substantially greater scale and with broader portfolio depth.
• Evonik (Care Solutions): Evonik is a German specialty chemicals major with a Care Solutions division that supplies bioactive and fermentation-derived cosmetic actives. It is one of CLR's most direct competitors in the postbiotic and specialty active segment, but operates at significantly larger scale with global manufacturing footprint and a broader portfolio.
• Croda International: Croda is a UK-based specialty ingredients supplier serving personal care with bioactive and sustainable cosmetic ingredients. Croda is comparable to CLR in serving formulators with high-performance actives, but at significantly larger scale and broader portfolio across skin, hair, and sun care.
• Symrise (Diana / Cosmetic Ingredients): Symrise is a major German specialty ingredients supplier serving the personal care industry with bioactive ingredients, probiotics, and botanical extracts via its Diana division. It is comparable to CLR in offering fermentation-derived cosmetic actives, but with a much larger global commercial footprint.
• BASF Care Creations: BASF's personal care ingredients division offers a broad portfolio of cosmetic actives, including biotechnologically derived ingredients. As a global integrated chemical giant, BASF competes head-to-head with CLR for B2B ingredient contracts across all major cosmetics manufacturing regions, while serving a much larger customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@clrberlin5047
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clr-berlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/clrberlin

Compliance8 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 →

Frequently asked questions about CLR