Cognis sells botanicals extracts business to Burgundy Botanical Extracts

Cognis, a global supplier of specialist chemicals, has sold its botanicals extracts business to Burgundy Botanical Extracts Iberia.

Burgundy, headquartered in Reyssouze, near Lyon in France, is a fast-growing company specialising in botanical extracts using solvent extraction for pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetics, and operates two production sites in Spain. In 2007, it generated net sales of around Euro 9m. Its main products - liquorice derivatives, phytopharmaceuticals, and dry and liquid herbal extracts for dietary supplements and cosmetic industries - are supplied to customers worldwide.

Cognis will continue production and distribution of certain botanical products for the cosmetics industry and will retain ownership of its Plantalin range for food and beverage applications. Burgundy will distribute the Plantalin range to the pharma and dietary supplements industry in the EU.

"The acquisition of the Botanicals Extracts Business is totally consistent with our growth strategy," said Charles Duval, general manager of Burgundy. "Its product range fits well with our existing portfolio, and gives us a new entry point into the pharmaceutical, dietary supplements and cosmetic industries that will strengthen our offering and market position."