Hallstar CEO Sees B&T and BioChemica as a Natural Fit

For Hallstar, natural ingredients play a key role in the company’s growth plans. A few months ago, the company acquired BioChemica in a move that expanded Hallstar’s product portfolio to include a wide range of exotic butters and oils. Now, Hallstar has added B&T S.r.l, a leader in the development of high-performance natural ingredients based upon olive chemistry for use in personal care products.

“The acquisition of B&T S.r.l represents an exciting next step in HallStar’s strategic move into the naturals space,” said John Paro, chairman, president and CEO of Hallstar. “In addition to our broad portfolio of natural butters sourced globally by our BioChemica business, B&T brings HallStar a tremendous portfolio of branded products built on a strong patent portfolio, and strengthens our geographic footprint globally.”

One of the most interesting products in the BioChemica line is mango, which Paro insists has demonstrable advantages over shea, such as its stability and feel on the skin. But product aside, it’s BioChemica’s people that sets the company apart, according to Paro, who said BioChemica’s CEO Larry Moroni was a pleasure to work with both pre- and post acquisition.

“Larry was a model in terms of including his people in the process,” recalled Paro. “I’m really happy to have him and his team as a part of Hallstar.”

According to Hallstar, with $3.8 billion in sales in 2009, the natural personal care ingredient market boasted a 14% compound annual growth rate from 2003 to 2009 as consumers demanded more and better products featuring natural ingredients in a host of personal care categories.

In other moves, Hallstar is opening an office in São Paulo and plans are in the works to open an innovation center there as part of the company’s Brazilian operations. At the same time, plans are underway to build a new facility in Central or Western Europe as Hallstar expands its manufacturing footprint outside the U.S.


More info: www.Hallstar.com