What alcosuisse does

Alcosuisse AG is Switzerland's dedicated ethanol specialist, producing, refining and supplying over 50 grades of ethanol — including pharmaceutical (GMP), cosmetic, food-grade and industrial qualities — to approximately 2,000 customers across pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and beverage, industrial and Swiss distillery segments. The company operates two production facilities at Delémont (Canton Jura, since 1889) and Schachen (Canton Lucerne, since 1941), with a combined storage capacity of roughly 388,000 hectolitres and annual throughput of approximately 500,000 hectolitres. Both sites are rail-connected and equipped with dedicated tanks, pumps and pipelines per product category to prevent cross-contamination, supported by multi-stage filtration (5µm standard, 1µm for premium grades) and a proprietary organoleptic testing methodology using double panels of at least ten expert tasters.

The business model is a direct, sales-led B2B operation with custom quotation-based pricing, just-in-time rail and road delivery across Switzerland within 1–2 working days, and 30-day net payment terms. Flagship brands include CH11 (the first 100% Swiss ethanol designed for premium spirits), CH15, E11, A15/A25, F11/F15/S15, plus specialty lines such as Cheminetha (ethanol fireplaces), Pumpetha (pumping applications), BIO/organic variants, Kosher, Halal and synthetic ethanol. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales, complemented by the ChemCare integrated chemical management service offering — bundling delivery, collection, quality analysis, documentation and regulatory support — and detailed certificates of analysis. Alcosuisse is a wholly owned subsidiary of the diversified Swiss Thommen-Furler Group.

The company maintains an unusually heavy regulatory and certification footprint for its size: Swissmedic GMP manufacturing licences at both plants, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22000:2018, FSSC 22000, plus Kosher, Halal, Bio Suisse Knospe, Demeter, NATRUE and Swiss/USDA organic certifications. These credentials, combined with over a century of operating history and ongoing audits by major Swiss pharmaceutical companies, anchor the business in regulated end-markets where switching costs for customers are high and entry barriers for new suppliers are substantial.

Name

alcosuisse

Legal name

Alcosuisse AG

Website

https://alcosuisse.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alcosuisse AG is Switzerland's dedicated ethanol specialist, producing and supplying over 50 pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food-grade and industrial ethanol grades from two rail-connected plants in Delémont and Schachen to approximately 2,000 customers across regulated and premium end-markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Ethanol Production

NAICS

Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing (325193)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Alcohols & Glycols (Commodity Grade) (IMAEAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Grain & Sugar-Based Ethanol Production (EUAAAHAA)

Keywords

• Ethanol production
• Pharmaceutical grade ethanol
• Industrial ethanol supply
• Denatured ethanol grades
• Spirits ethanol manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Rüti b. Büren

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ethanol sales: Core revenue from selling over 50 different ethanol grades including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food-grade, industrial and specialty ethanol. Products sold in various container types from small canisters to large tank wagons.
2. GMP ethanol products: Production and sale of GMP-certified ethanol for pharmaceutical industry with full documentation of value chain and regulatory compliance
3. ChemCare services: Integrated chemical management services including just-in-time delivery and collection, quality analysis certificates, product documentation, and regulatory support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alcosuisse produces, refines and supplies over 50 different ethanol grades and denatured ethanol for pharmaceutical, industrial, cosmetics, food, beverage and spirits applications. Operating two production facilities in Delémont and Schachen with combined storage capacity of approximately 388,000 hectolitres, the company sells around 500,000 hectolitres of ethanol annually to approximately 2,000 customers across Switzerland.

Product overview

Alcosuisse is an independent company of Thommen-Furler AG and Switzerland's leading ethanol specialist, supplying approximately 500,000 hectoliters of ethanol annually to around 2,000 customers. The company offers over 50 ethanol grades as its core product line, ranging from pharmaceutical GMP-certified ethanol (manufactured under Swissmedic license) to food-grade, industrial, and specialty products including BIO-organic, Kosher, Halal, and synthetic ethanol. The portfolio centers on the flagship CH11 premium 100% Swiss ethanol alongside other grades (CH15, E11, A15, A25, F11, F15, S15). Denaturants are offered as a complementary add-on for tax separation purposes. Key services include GMP manufacturing, laboratory analysis, certificates of analysis, container/transport logistics, and the ChemCare® integrated chemical management service model. The company operates two production facilities in Delémont (Jura) and Schachen (Lucerne) with combined storage capacity of approximately 388,000 hectoliters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ChemCare®: A sustainable business model offering integrated solutions for handling chemicals, lubricants, environmental technology, recycling and disposal of industrial and special wastes.

Products and services

• CH11 - Premium Swiss Ethanol The company's flagship product - the first 100% Swiss ethanol specifically designed for producing high-quality spirits. Manufactured in Aarberg from 100% Swiss agricultural products with unique chemical purity and organoleptic properties.
• CH11 BIO - Swiss Organic Ethanol Certified organic variant of the flagship CH11 premium Swiss ethanol, manufactured locally in Aarberg (BE) from 100% Swiss raw materials and certified BIO using 100% certified BIO molasses. Maintains the same high quality as conventional CH11.
• CH15 - Swiss Ethanol Swiss ethanol quality grade for beverage production, sourced and processed within Switzerland.
• GMP Pharmaceutical Ethanol Pharmaceutical-grade ethanol certified by Swissmedic for pharmaceutical production. Features fully automated manufacturing, 100% raw material traceability, 5µm filtration, dedicated tank systems, and batch-specific analysis certificates per European Pharmacopoeia.
• Industrial Ethanol Grades (E11, A15, A25) Industrial ethanol grades including E11, A15, and A25 for various non-beverage industrial applications.
• Food/Pharmaceutical Ethanol Grades (F11, F15, S15) Food-grade and pharmaceutical ethanol grades F11, F15, and S15, meeting food and pharmaceutical industry standards.
• BIO-Ethanol / Organic Ethanol Certified organic ethanol variants (BIO-Ethanol) meeting Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance, EU regulations, Bio Suisse Knospe standards, and USDA NOP requirements.
• Kosher Ethanol Ethanol certified to meet Kosher religious requirements, with dedicated storage tanks, pumps, and piping systems. Available in Passover (Pessah) compliant versions.
• Halal Ethanol Ethanol products certified to meet Halal requirements for Muslim consumers.
• Synthetic Ethanol Ethanol of synthetic origin produced by catalytic hydration of ethylene from petrochemical sources.
• CHEMINETHA Ethanol Fireplace Fuel High-purity ethanol specifically designed for residue-free, health-conscious combustion in ethanol fireplaces. Made from plant-based raw materials and tested by the METAS alcohol laboratory.
• Denaturants Range Complete range of denaturants (Bitrex + rosemary oil, cyclohexane solution, ethyl phthalate, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, camphor solution, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene) and custom formulations to render ethanol non-potable for tax purposes.
• ChemCare® Integrated Chemical Management Service Sustainable service model providing integrated chemical management including just-in-time delivery and collection, quality analysis consulting, comprehensive product documentation, regulatory compliance assistance, and safe storage solutions for industry and automotive customers. Based on over 20 years of experience.
• GMP Manufacturing Services Swissmedic-certified GMP manufacturing services covering production and wholesale of medicinal products, with complete documentation of suppliers, production, distribution, quality management, handling, storage, dangerous goods handling, and customer support.
• Laboratory Analysis Services Detailed product analysis by independent METAS-certified laboratory specialized in alcohol analysis. Includes organoleptic testing by double panels of at least 10 experienced tasters and filtration down to 1µm for premium grades.
• Container and Transport Services Comprehensive logistics services with various container types (7.5kg and 20kg canisters, drums, IBCs, tank wagons, truck trailers), rail and road transport, 1-2 working day delivery across Switzerland, and express delivery options.
• Safety Services Safety-compliant ethanol handling services meeting ADR/RID dangerous goods regulations (UN 1170 class 3), including certified safety advisors, gas detectors, fire alarm systems, explosion protection zones, and internal fire-fighting teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most orders processed within 24 hours from two plant locations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Thommen-Furler AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of Alcosuisse AG. Thommen-Furler Group includes Alcosuisse, Thommen-Furler (chemicals), Alab (analytics/waste), and Erne surface (surface treatment). Provides shared services, sustainability framework, and corporate governance.
• Schweizer Zucker AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Schweizer Ethanol program. Produces Swiss ethanol from Swiss agricultural products in Aarberg (BE), using co-products from sugar production. Partner in the Schweizer Ethanol label program featuring CH11 and CH15 ethanol grades.
• bio.inspectasupportingOthersIndependent certification body for organic/bio ethanol certifications including BIO-Ethanol, Knospe, Demeter, NOP (USDA), and Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance compliance.
• SwissmediccoreOthersSwiss regulatory authority that issues GMP manufacturing license for pharmaceutical production. Conducts ongoing oversight and auditing of Alcosuisse GMP facilities.
• Swiss pharmaceutical companiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing preferred supplier to Swiss pharmaceutical industry. Subject to regular and strict audits by major Swiss pharmaceutical companies for GMP compliance and quality assurance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tereos: French cooperative that produces ethanol from sugar beet and cereals, supplying industrial, beverage, and pharmaceutical customers across Europe. Closely comparable to Alcosuisse in feedstock-to-ethanol model and customer verticals.
• Cristal Union: French sugar beet cooperative producing industrial and beverage ethanol in a similar vertically integrated beet-to-ethanol model. Comparable in operating model and exposure to European regulatory and feedstock dynamics.
• Nordzucker AG: Northern European sugar and ethanol producer with industrial ethanol capacity from beet feedstock. Comparable vertically integrated sugar-ethanol operating model and European customer base.
• BrüggemannAlcohol: German producer of industrial and specialty ethyl alcohol with a focus on high-purity grades for pharmaceutical and chemical customers. Comparable as a European specialty ethanol producer serving regulated industrial buyers.
• CropEnergies AG: European bioethanol producer listed in Mannheim, supplying fuel-grade and industrial ethanol across the EU. Comparable to Alcosuisse as a European ethanol manufacturer with regulated industrial customers and feedstock-driven operations.
• Südzucker AG: Europe's largest sugar producer with a significant ethanol business producing industrial and fuel ethanol from beet and grain. Comparable feedstock base and end-market exposure to Alcosuisse's ethanol operations.

Broad incumbents

• INEOS Energy: Large European chemical group producing industrial ethanol and derivatives as part of a broader chemicals portfolio. Comparable in industrial chemical supply but with much broader product scope and scale than Alcosuisse.
• Archer Daniels Midland (ADM): Global agricultural processor and major fuel/industrial ethanol producer. Comparable end-product but vastly larger scale and more commodity-focused than Alcosuisse's specialty positioning.
• Cargill, Inc. Global agri-business with substantial industrial ethanol and bio-based chemicals operations. Comparable as a broad incumbent in commodity ethanol supply but at far larger scale and across many geographies.

Regional players

• POET LLC: Largest U.S. ethanol producer focused on corn-based fuel and industrial ethanol. Comparable product (industrial ethanol) but primarily serving North American fuel markets rather than European pharmaceutical/spirits customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alcosuisse-ag

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 alcosuisse