Berkem inaugurates new production facility

Determined to expand in France and internationally, the French manufacturer has continued to make strategic investments following the acquisition of Laboratoires Eriger and its PhytoVec^® microencapsulation technology. With the aim of strengthening its presence in the beauty sector, the Berkem Group has built a new 530 m² building at its historic site in Gardonne, in the heart of the Périgord region of France. This infrastructure, expected to cost around €12 million, will double the production capacity of floral waters and increase output for the global cosmetics and nutraceuticals markets by 20 to 25%. Led by Olivier Fahy, the plant extraction specialist now employs more than 250 people, who are spread across its headquarters in Blanquefort (France), five industrial sites and ten laboratories in France and Spain. Drawing on its four business divisions, including Health, Beauty and Nutrition, the group posted sales of €55.3 million in 2024, 33% of which was generated internationally and 46.9% from its bio-based ranges. The target for 2025 is €66 million, 50% of which is expected to come from overseas markets, supported by external growth operations. The Gardonne industrial complex is the company's second largest after the one in Valencia (Spain). It manufactures floral waters, hydrolats and hydroglycerine extracts, which are then objectified in its laboratory. The Berkemyol^® oil-phase active carrier is also developed on-site.

The cutting-edge automated workshop can process all types and sizes of batches 24/7, thanks to five reactors of different sizes (1, 2, 5, 9 and 10 m³) and materials (stainless steel or enamelled steel). The installation of a sector filter for solid/liquid extraction is currently being installed, enabling several successive treatments on the same plant. Finally, a clean room is being set up on site. The company, which is committed to sustainability, also recycles its spent plants via methanisation and animal feed.