Evonik buys German cosmetic ingredients maker Dr Straetmans

Dr Straetmans, which employs over 60 people, will continue to operate as a legal entity. The company’s Hamburg site will become Evonik’s global competence centre for preservative solutions. “Our aim is to offer cosmetic manufacturers new solutions enabling them to distinguish themselves from the competition. In the future, we will be able to offer complete formulation systems, including preservation. In doing so, we make an important contribution to optimising our customers’ development work,” opined Tammo Boinowitz, who heads the personal care business line at Evonik

Established in 1984, Dr Straetmans was a pioneer of alternative preservative systems. The difference between these and conventional preservatives is, among others, that the functions they perform in the final product go beyond preservation, for example, by acting as an additional moisturiser. At the same time, it is becoming more and more important for cosmetics manufacturers to formulate their products sustainably. In doing so, customer demands as well as regulatory requirements must be taken into account. 

The use of alternative preservative systems is complex, however. “The reason for this is that we are introducing larger amounts of surface active ingredients into the formulation. Our competencies in areas such as application and formulation allow us to maintain a stable emulsion,” explained Jan Janichen, the managing director of Dr Straetmans. 

Wilfried Petersen, also managing director of Dr Straetmans, added, “In combination with Evonik’s emulsifier expertise, we can provide our customers with even better support for developing formulations.” 

In addition to its alternative preservative systems, Dr Straetmans also offers selected conventional preservatives. The decades-long experience of both sides and the comprehensive product range mean that the companies can in future offer customers formulation concepts for sustainable use.