Elementis acquires personal care specialist

26 November 2025

Elementis plc

Elementis acquires personal care specialist Alchemy Ingredients Limited

Elementis plc ("Elementis" or the "Group"), a global specialty chemicals company, today announces that it has completed the acquisition of UK based Alchemy Ingredients Limited ("Alchemy") for an enterprise value of c.$22m1 on a cash-free debt-free basis.

Alchemy develops innovative, high-quality, sustainable rheology modifier ingredients for the personal care industry across a range of cosmetics and skin care applications. Its products are natural functional ingredients that fully or partially replace synthetic raw materials in cosmetic formulations. Alchemy's key technologies revolve predominantly around oil gelling (with the Sucragel® and Sapogel® families of products) and water gelling (Clearthix® and Sclerothix®).

Alchemy is a strong fit for Elementis. It brings exciting new products and technologies that are complementary to our portfolio, further enhancing our expertise in formulation solutions and rheology, and which are highly synergistic with our hectorite products. These will help to create new sensory profiles and textures to enhance the Group's cosmetic and skincare product range. Elementis will enable Alchemy to build on its success to date by leveraging its global sales and distribution network alongside its complementary technology and application knowledge.

Alchemy has a track record of strong organic growth, with FY25 revenue expected to reach more than c.$6m, with attractive margins.

The acquisition of Alchemy is consistent with the Group's Elevate Elementis strategy, which seeks to make disciplined, high-quality bolt-on acquisitions to further strengthen the Group's core specialty additives capabilities and accelerate sustainable long-term growth.

Luc van Ravenstein, CEO of Elementis, said:

"We are delighted to announce the successful completion of this high quality bolt-on acquisition, which is right in our personal care sweet spot and strengthens our position in the growing natural skincare market. The business opens exciting opportunities to expand our skincare portfolio, where the trend toward natural ingredients and enhanced sensory benefits continues to accelerate. Leveraging our global sales and marketing footprint, we see significant potential to scale the business and deliver value."

Enquiries

Investors: Zeeshan Maqbool, Elementis plc Tel: +44 7553 340380

Press: Martin Robinson/Giles Kernick, Teneo Tel: +44 (0) 20 7353 4200

Notes

1. Enterprise value £17m, subject to standard completion accounts. Converted at exchange rate of £1=$1.3. The enterprise value includes £1.5m of contingent consideration.

About Elementis

Elementis is a global specialty chemicals company listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Group employs c.1,000 across 20 global locations. As recognised innovation leaders with deep expertise in rheology (the science of flow), and formulation solutions, we develop distinctive solutions and products to improve performance, achieve smoother production, and enhance sustainability credentials for customers across a range of industries. The Group also owns and operates the largest high-quality hectorite mine in the world. Hectorite is a rare, high-purity clay mineral rich in magnesium and lithium, known for its ability to control viscosity, stabilise formulations, and deliver smooth, consistent textures that make it ideal for clean-label, high-performance formulations. 

Elementis is composed of two focused, high-margin businesses: Personal Care and Coatings. The Personal Care business manufactures natural and synthetic rheology modifiers to deliver premium product performance for personal care applications in skin care and cosmetics, as well as active ingredients for antiperspirants. Within Coatings, Elementis develops and manufactures rheology modifiers and premium performance additives for decorative and industrial paints and coatings. The Coatings business also includes our Energy and Adhesives, Sealants and Construction additives businesses.

About Alchemy

Alchemy is a specialty formulation solution company, with a mantra to replace synthetic raw materials in cosmetic formulations with natural functional ingredients, without compromise. Its naturally-derived blends provide formulators with high performing solutions for oil gelling, emulsifying and thickening. Alchemy's key technologies revolves predominantly around oil gelling (with the Sucragel® and Sapogel® families of products) and water gelling (Clearthix® and Sclerothix®).The business employs c. 20 employees and is based in Ascot, UK.