Cognis in brief

Company portrait

Cognis is a leading supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 5,500 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for the pharma, foods, beverages and dietary supplements markets, as well as for the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, agriculture and mining.

Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners and SV Life Sciences. In 2009, Cognis recorded sales of about 2,6 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 364 million euros.

Product portfolio and markets

Cognis' three strategic business units (SBUs) are aligned with the markets of our customers' customers. All three SBUs develop innovative solutions for the respective markets using a large share of natural, renewable raw materials and the expertise in specialty chemicals especially in surfactant and surface technology. At the same time, all three SBUs complement each other through in-depth knowledge of the relevant consumer markets.
 

• Care Chemicals: Cognis is a leading supplier of innovative, environmentally sound products and formulations for the personal and home care markets as well as for industrial and institutional cleaning. Based on a keen awareness of the latest local and global trends, we offer solutions and ready-to-market concepts for cosmetics, toiletries, detergents, and household cleaners, precisely in tune with contemporary consumer demands for well-being, convenience and sustainability.
   
• Nutrition & Health: The wellness-driven market demands solutions that contribute to health and an overall sense of well-being. Using natural-source ingredients and applying extensive nutrition expertise, we develop forward-looking products, formulations and concepts for pharma, foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Both our bioactive and non-active ingredients deliver real health, quality and convenience benefits—from cholesterol reduction and weight management to effective drug delivery and extended shelf life.
   

• Functional Products: Today’s industries are increasingly responding to the demand for sustainable practices and environmentally friendly products. We use our extensive chemical expertise to create specific solutions for our targeted industrial sectors—from architectural coatings and lubricants to crop protection and mining. Our ingredients and formulations deliver a superior performance profile combined with outstanding application reliability and user safety.
  

Cognis in Brief 2010
English version (2.5 MB pdf)
German version (2.0 MB pdf)