Although the price or terms of the acquisition were not revealed, Unipex says that the deal is expected to double proprietary product sales, as well as providing greater formulation support and resources worldwide.
Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, which is based in Champlan, near Paris, France, will be bought by Unipex as part of its business plan to expand its strategic product line as well as maintaining its focus on innovation.
Lucas Meyer is a relatively small player employing around 20 staff, but with a key specialization in the area of phospholipids and glycolipids – growing areas of interest for targeted skin care formulations.
Specializing in polar lipids
It manufactures and markets a range of phospholipids and glycolipids – known generically as polar lipids – that are made from oil seeds and a range of other natural sources.
These ingredients are natural surfactants that serve to stabilize creams and lotions, in turn providing hydrating, restructuring, film-forming and soothing properties, while also helping to give the formulation a rich skin feel.
The company also specializes in the individual development of specific ingredient solutions that focus on innovation, a focus that has helped to drive significant revenue and profit growth in recent years.
Widening the ingredients portfolio
“We will now have a wider offering of sophisticated and highly innovative products and services for our customers worldwide, widening our portfolio of active ingredients, delivery systems, and natural functional ingredients, to name a few,” said Patrice Barthelmes, Unipex CEO.
“We will also combine both the expertise and scientific knowledge of Unipex, which relates to peptides and biotech actives, and that of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, which relates to functional ingredients and phospholipids, to improve our ideation and innovation processes.”
As well as helping to improve Unipex’s product portfolio, the acquisition is also expected to help expand its geographic footprint, particularly as Lucas Meyer is already well established on the European market.