A leading player in plant-based chemistry, the Berkem group announces the acquisition of Laboratoires Eriger, specialists in technologies derived from pharmaceutical research for the cosmetics industry.
"We are delighted to integrate Laboratoires Eriger's cutting-edge technology into our group, says Olivier Fahy, Chairman and CEO of Groupe Berkem. Production tools will be transferred to our industrial site in Chartres, a city synonymous with excellence and competitiveness for international players in the cosmetics industry. Laboratoires Eriger's recognized know-how will be an invaluable asset in consolidating our expertise in plant-based chemistry and strengthening our position in the active cosmetics market. Their patented PhytoVec technology, which micro-encapsulates plant active ingredients thanks to the chlorophyll they contain, is a major breakthrough that we intend to deploy to its full potential within our "Health, Beauty & Nutrition" division. In markets constantly seeking naturalness, the integration of Laboratoires Eriger's active ingredients represents a major step forward, enabling us to offer our customers and prospects ever more innovative solutions."
"The acquisition of Laboratoires Eriger by Groupe Berkem represents a genuine industrial continuity for PhytoVec technology. I'm delighted with Groupe Berkem's ambition, embodied by Olivier Fahy and his teams, to make PhytoVec technology a key reference in the field of encapsulation of plant active ingredients. I am convinced that our shared know-how will be the driving force behind our future success. It is therefore with great enthusiasm that I join this new adventure within Groupe Berkem, with the aim of making plants an essential pillar of tomorrow's chemistry".explains Eric Buchy, General Manager of Laboratoires Eriger.
PhytoVec, an innovation for encapsulating active plant ingredients
Founded in 2019 and specializing in technologies derived from pharmaceutical research for the cosmetics industry, Laboratoires Eriger has developed and patented PhytoVec technology, an innovative process for encapsulating active plant ingredients using chlorophyll. Encapsulation involves imprisoning unstable active ingredients within a protective micro-capsule, thus protecting them from any risk of oxidation or deterioration caused, for example, by light.
The Berkem group points out that the effectiveness of Laboratoires Eriger's technology has been demonstrated in combination with several active plant ingredients for cosmetic use, ensuring in particular a higher concentration of the active ingredient in the final product. A study carried out by the Spincontrol laboratory, involving a panel of 60 people, on the combination of vitamin A with PhytoVec technology, highlighted the efficacy of 100 % on wrinkles. PhytoVec also protects fragrance molecules, enhances sensoriality, improves the efficacy of anti-wrinkle and anti-oxidant active ingredients, and limits the use of preservatives.
Strengthening the Berkem group offering
The Berkem group now has the capacity to produce micro-encapsulations in chlorophyll-based products, such as hydroalcoholic solutions and serums. It is also working on integrating certain products developed by Laboratoires Eriger into its own range of cosmetics.
Groupe Berkem will be presenting PhytoVec technology and its many benefits at the In-Cosmetics trade show in Amsterdam, April 8-10, 2025.
The transaction was finalized on March 6, 2025, and the financial terms are confidential.
Photo : Myléne / Pixabay
