Robertet, a supplier of fragrance raw materials and cosmetic actives based in Grasse, in Provence, and Codif Recheche and Nature, a French supplier of cosmetic ingredients based in Brittany, have joined forces to buy the Hitex company to Greek pharmaceutical group Lavipharm.
Based in Vannes, Brittany, Hitex is a subcontractor specializing in the supercritical CO2 extraction of active ingredients for the perfumed, cosmetic and aromatic products. The company has two production lines, one equipped with 500 litres extractors, the other 50 litres extractors and a column suitable for large volumes of liquid raw materials.
Robertet and Codif have purchased an equal amount of Hitex shares and have announced plans to continue the extraction activity for third party customers and also to develop new products for their own needs.
Extraction with supercritical CO2 has many advantages, in particular in terms of environmental benefits. Unlike organic solvents supercritical CO2 is non-flammable, non-toxic, relatively inexpensive and has no disposal costs.
