AMSilk is headquartered near Munich, Germany and offers a range of high-performance biosourced polypeptides with unique functional properties in the field of cosmetics.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed and Givaudan plans to fund the transaction from existing resources.
Biotech in focus
Maurizio Volpi, President of Givaudan’s Fragrance Division explains that the acquisition allows Givaudan to build on its offering within the biotech space for beauty.
“The acquisition of the cosmetics business of AMSilk fits very well our long term strategy for Active Beauty,” he explains.
“It offers an expanded portfolio of natural and biosourced products supported by a strong research and development biotechnology platform to drive future development and innovation in the active cosmetic ingredients space.”
He further explains that “their expertise in biotechnology is fully aligned with ours; it will reinforce Givaudan’s capabilities in cosmetic ingredients to support our customers in developing sustainable, performant and safe products.”
Jens Klein, CEO of AMSilk added: “We are honoured that Givaudan is acquiring our successful cosmetics business to further expand internationally to reach even more consumers around the world with our functional biopolymers.”
AMSilk’s high-performance biopolymers
The company’s Biosteel® fibres are an organic, high-performance material that can be used in multiple ways, with applications in medical devices as well as personal care products. The polymers are biocompatible, safe and robust, according to AMSilk.
“These vegan biopolymers offer a broad range of applications across categories such as hair care and skin care with benefits like silk touch, antipollution, or colour protection of the hair,” the companies explained in a statement on the acquisition.
Over the years, AMSilk has filed 10 patents for the use of biopolymers in cosmetic applications.
Laurent Bourdeau, Head of Givaudan’s Active Beauty Business said: “The AMSilk technology is unique and will allow us to enlarge our portfolio of products by developing bespoke polypeptides.
“The products are biosourced and the processes are fully sustainable, which contributes nicely to our ‘A Sense of Tomorrow’ sustainability approach.”
