DSM Nutritional Products Ltd (Alpaflor)

DSM Nutritional Products, based in Vouvry, specialises in the commercial development of Alpine plants in the form of extracts, which are sold to cosmetics companies. Founded in 1997 under the name of Alpaflor, it is one of the pioneering companies in its field in Valais. Positioned at the interface between plant producers and the manufacturers of finished products, it plays an essential role in the value creation in the sector in Valais.

Originally founded by three people with the support of the municipality of Vouvry, Alpaflor was taken over in 1999 by the company Pentapharm SA, based in Basel. In 2007 it was bought by DSM Nutritional Products, one of the world’s leaders in vitamins and solar filters. This multinational, Dutch by origin, has its Swiss headquarters in Kaiseraugst, in the canton of Aargau.
 

Certified organic extracts

DSM Nutritional Products plant extracts are used as active natural ingredients in cosmetic and beauty products. These ingredients have a moisturising, antioxidant, anti-ageing or anti-inflammatory effect, and some of them help regulate the production of sebum.

All the extracts produced in Vouvry are certified organic by recognised organisations such as Ecocert/Cosmos and NaTrue. They are manufactured almost exclusively from Valais plants, selected in particular by Mediplant, and cultivated in mountain zones by the Valplantes cooperative. Sustainable development is an essential aspect of the Alpaflor philosophy and no plants are harvested directly from the wild.

Its clients are producers of finished cosmetic products all over the world. Headed by director François Paul, the site at Vouvry currently has six employees.
 

A plant extract pioneer in Valais

Alpaflor is one of the first companies to have developed edelweiss extracts. In 2004, following several years’ research, it launched a range of seven plant extracts. DSM Nutritional Products is currently working on around thirty plants, and the range is regularly expanded.

The site at Vouvry is devoted partly to the research and development (R&D) of new extracts, and partly to the production and packaging of extracts. Alpaflor also undertakes the product quality control. As part of its daily R&D activities, Alpaflor develops new Alpine plant-based natural ingredients and defines the active properties of the plants. Alpaflor monitors and analyses the plants, from cultivation to final extract, in order to ensure the complete traceability and quality of its products.

The plant extracts from Vouvry are produced in a closed system subject to strict controls to prevent any pollution, enabling the extracts to preserve all the beneficial qualities of the plants.

On the value chain for Valais Alpine plants, DSM Nutritional Products is positioned at the interface between plant producers and the manufacturers of finished products, putting its dynamism and spirit of innovation at the service of the whole ecosystem.