Family-owned EPI France (Extraction Purification Innovation France) has over 20 years in the development and manufacture of active ingredients of natural origin for the nutricosmetics and beauty care markets.
EPI's signature ingredient CERAMOSIDES, is made for oral and topical skin beauty products and Seppic has been distributing this ingredient for over 10 years.
The acquisition, announced on May 3rd, strengthens Seppic's expertise and know-how in botanical extraction and its position as a supplier of high quality ingredients for the beauty market. With the transfer of know-how and EPI's internal production tools, the acquisition allows Seppic to master the entire process of research, development and industrialisation, from the extraction of raw materials to the active ingredients.
The Global Nutricosmetics Market is forecast to reach $8.3 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% between 2020 and 2027, while European nutricosmetics market is forecast to reach $2.52 billion by 2025 growing at a CAGR of 8.54%.
Speaking during a panel discussion in NutraIngredients' Probiota Digital Summit in February, Kacey Culliney, Editor of CosmeticDesign-Europe, explained that 'natural beauty' has made its way up consumers' agendas as they have moved away from heavy makeup and looked to invest in science-backed, natural solutions to long-term skin health.
She said: “People are going out less, they are wearing less coloured cosmetics and skin cleansing has gone through the roof as we have these beauty consumers looking for different ways to improve the look and feel of their skin.
“Beauty is a highly competitive and emotive market and the consumer base is extremely engaged so they will spend a lot of time researching products because, ultimately, they will spend a lot of money on products.
“So it’s important to appreciate that the beauty consumer will be reading the list of ingredients and reading into the science.”
Jean Baptiste Dellon, CEO of Seppic, says this new acquisition opens up "new growth opportunities for Seppic in the cosmetics and dietary supplements markets".
He says: "Our long-standing relationship and the values of expertise, quality and customer care that we share with EPI France will allow us to quickly realize synergies for the development and marketing of new ingredients.”
Valérie Bizot, President and co-founder of EPI France added: “Our partnership with Seppic has always been very successful and we are confident that with the innovative drive of Seppic, the know-how and the competences developed by EPI will be continue to be valued and to thrive.”