Eurolyo, a subsidiary of fine chemicals specialist Berkem, located in Chartres, in the heart of Cosmetic Valley, is expanding its contract freeze-drying capacity.
Since January 25, 2021, the company, a French specialist in the field for the cosmetics and food markets, has had two additional freeze-dryers (bringing its fleet to nine machines), on a fourfold increase in operating surface area. This €1.4 million investment should enable the company to double its production over the next three years, address new markets and recruit new staff.
Freeze-drying: a wide range of applications
The vacuum sublimation dehydration process has several advantages: it preserves the product's integrity, prolongs its shelf life and reduces its weight, while retaining its active bases and, in some cases, its volume.
For 25 years, Eurolyo has been supporting players in the food and cosmetics industries, as well as the chemical, fermentation, pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical sectors, in their "made-to-order" freeze-drying projects.
From now on, some 105 tons of incoming material per year (compared with 63 tons before the installation of the two freeze-dryers) can be processed: from mare's milk (1 kg is transformed into 100 g powder) to freeze-dried dishes, plant and marine extracts, all on optimized cycles, in clean rooms, i.e. a controlled atmosphere work area classified ISO 7.
Development in several stages
The company was able to benefit from the financial strength and chemical market knowledge of the Berkem Group, of which it has been a subsidiary since February 2018.
The €1.4 million investment - including €650,000 for the two machines - now gives the company greater flexibility and responsiveness to deliver orders for both French and foreign customers (exports account for 10 % of sales). While the clean rooms now cover an area of 325 m² (compared with 150 m² before the works), the enlarged premises (1,700 m²) will facilitate future developments to keep pace with the market. The flexibility of a company with a small team (four employees joined by two by March 2021) and the assured and recognized consistency of the product mean that Eurolyo can expect sales of around €3 million by December 2023.
Projects currently under study include an R&D unit and dedicated equipment, a Eurolyo-branded product range, the acquisition of new tools including a cryo-grinder, and joint projects with other Berkem Group subsidiaries.
