Lipo Chemicals Merges with Vantage Specialty Chemicals

Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Chicago, a producer of specialty chemicals, has merged with Lipo Chemicals, Inc., Paterson, NJ, and its affiliates, including Ruger Chemicals, Inc., Linden, NJ, Lipo Technologies, Inc., Vandalia, OH and Lipo’s affiliate companies that are incorporated in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Venezuela.

Lipo is a provider of ingredients and ingredient technologies to the personal care industry and a leader in delivery system technologies. Ruger Chemical is a cGMP distributor of pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients. Vantage Specialty Chemicals includes Vantage Oleochemicals, Chicago, a fatty acid and glycerin manufacturer, and Lambent Technologies, Gurnee, IL, a North American oleochemical derivatives supplier, specializing in nonionic surfactants.

“Lipo’s excellent reputation for service and innovation in the personal care market and its global reach are strategic assets of the company and provide a strong platform for growth,” said Julian Steinberg, chief executive officer, Vantage Specialty Chemicals.

Lipo Chemicals and its affiliates will operate as a division of Vantage Specialty Chemicals. Lipo will continue to be headquartered in New Jersey. The current management of Lipo, which includes members of the Frischling family, will remain with the business. The combination will leverage the global personal care brand presence of Lipo allowing the combined company to achieve accelerated growth by expanding existing business relationships in North America, and creating new channels to market in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The companies will maintain and grow the Lipo brand in the personal care market.

“We are very excited to partner with Vantage,” said Craig Frischling, president of Lipo Chemicals and Ruger Chemical. “Lipo’s customers will benefit from the added resources of the combined company while maintaining Lipo’s focus and strength in the personal care market.”

This merger creates a diversified U.S.-based specialty chemicals company with sales approaching $500 million, and more than 550 employees at 17 locations across 13 countries.