Univar Solutions Expands Witch Hazel Distribution

Global specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor Univar Solutions has announced a significant expansion of its exclusive distribution partnership with American Distilling. This new agreement will see Univar Solutions distribute American Distilling's natural specialty raw materials, including traditional witch hazel, across selected markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) for the beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. The strategic move reinforces Univar's position in botanical extracts and aims to bolster regional supply chains.

Strengthening Regional Supply for Botanical Extracts

The expanded partnership focuses on American Distilling's high-quality natural raw materials, specifically traditional witch hazel. This includes alcohol-free options and customizable grades, catering to diverse applications in personal care, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The agreement encompasses a broad geographical area, covering numerous countries across EMEA, from the UK and Germany to Turkey and Morocco, reflecting the widespread demand for such ingredients.

Univar Solutions' Ingredients + Specialties division will manage the distribution, building on its existing support for these materials in North America. The company plans to provide local stock and faster supply to customers in the region, supported by its established supply chain and experienced technical teams. This expansion addresses the increasing demand for plant-based ingredients in various product formulations, aligning with broader trends in business resilience in shifting global markets.

By enhancing its botanical extract portfolio, Univar Solutions aims to solidify its position as a key distributor of high-performance ingredients. This strategic move is designed to offer brands the essential components needed to develop next-generation beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical products, ensuring consistent quality and availability across the diverse EMEA region.

"The partnership with American Distilling in EMEA strengthens our position as a leading and trusted distributor for this product range, while also reinforcing our botanical extract offerings," said Nick Powell, CEO of Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions. "We have long supported these specialized raw materials in North America, and with a strong supply chain and experienced technical team now available in the region, we can provide local stock and faster supply to customers."

— Nick Powell, CEO Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions

Witch Hazel's Versatility in Modern Formulations

Witch hazel, derived from the Hamamelis plant, is a multifunctional botanical extract valued for its natural properties. Sourced from forests in the Eastern United States, it acts as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent. Its gentler, plant-based nature offers an alternative to synthetic astringents, making it suitable for a wide array of products.

Applications range from facial care, cleansers, and hair treatments to eye gels and personal hygiene items. It is incorporated into toners, moisturizers, pads, ointments, creams, sprays, and therapeutic formulations, enhancing both the natural content and overall performance of products. The agreement ensures the availability of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standard witch hazel in the EMEA region.

Bryan Jackowitz, Vice President at American Distilling, Inc., noted that the collaboration allows them to market their full portfolio of cosmetic and pharmaceutical witch hazel extracts. This provides customers with greater flexibility in selecting solutions for their specific application needs, backed by a strong distribution infrastructure. Univar Solutions' commitment to supporting customers includes formulation assistance, advanced laboratory capabilities, and market insights. The company also offers access to its global Solution Center in Essen, Germany, for regional product development and scaling.

This expanded collaboration between Univar Solutions and American Distilling signifies a strategic move to meet the rising demand for high-quality, naturally derived ingredients in the beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical sectors across EMEA. By strengthening its botanical extract portfolio and enhancing regional distribution capabilities, Univar Solutions aims to provide greater value and efficiency to its customers. The partnership is poised to support ongoing product development and the growth of natural formulations in these key industries.