Azelis to distribute Merck cosmetic raw materials in Northern Europe

Merck KGaA and Azelis have entered into a distribution agreement for cosmetic raw materials from Merck. According to the agreement, Merck will grant the marketing rights for its cosmetic raw materials in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway to Azelis, a leading European distributor of specialty chemicals. Apart from logistics, Azelis will be responsible for local customer support and applications technology. In turn, Merck will support Azelis with research and development, training and in regulatory issues. The cooperation agreement was signed in December 2011 and has already taken effect.

Dr. Rainer Hoffmann, Associate Director Cosmetics Sales EU North, said: “Consumers of cosmetic products in Nordic countries appreciate locally manufactured products of reliably high efficacy. In addition, it is important to them to protect their skin against stress factors such as the cold and weather, and to prevent it from drying out and ageing. Here, the answer is high-quality raw materials from Merck, the efficacy of which must be demonstrated and explained to customers. This can only be done by a highly skilled and well-trained team capable of relying on experienced experts in research, development and marketing. That is precisely what the cooperation between Merck and Azelis can ensure.”

Merck has been cooperating with Azelis in the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as in Germany for more than 50 years. Azelis is a leading specialty distributor in Scandinavia with a local market presence in the cosmetic industry since 1952. Patrik Edström, Managing Director for Azelis Nordic: “We are looking forward to cooperating with Merck. Our product range for the cosmetics industry is optimally complemented by the range of products offered by Merck. We can offer our customers individualized support thanks to our own Azelis technical application cosmetic laboratories in Moers, Germany and Hertford, UK.”   

Merck is a leading manufacturer of ingredients for the cosmetic industry. Apart from colour effect pigments, the company offers customers functional skin care and protection solutions. In particular, effect pigments and functional fillers are used in many cosmetic products in order to provide colour, luster, gloss and other effects. Merck offers a wide range of active ingredients used in skin care cosmetics to protect the skin against UV radiation and premature ageing.