Raw material production from starches with proof of efficacy
Gräfe Chemie can look back on a long history of developing and manufacturing additives from cationic starch for the global cosmetic industry.
We actively seek out trends. Your formulations of tomorrow interest us today…
Roots
A strong chemical bond
When open-minded specialists from a variety of fields meet up, something innovative usually emerges.
And so it was in 1999, when the two company founders Juergen Graefe and Manfred Guenther crossed paths.
Juergen Graefe had spent many years researching starch and its chemical modification.
Manfred Guenther brought to the table longstanding experience and comprehensive knowledge of the properties of film-forming polymers within the cosmetics industry.
It quickly became clear to both that the native starch seemed predestined for use as the polymer backbone of a cationic modification. Gräfe Chemie GmbH was promptly established, the first products developed and so began a story of success.
Since 2018, Melanie Guenther, the daughter of one of the founders, has been in charge of the company. Under her management, not only has the company maintained its traditions, but the portfolio has also been expanded to include services and further products.
Great chemistry.
Two ‘specialists’ with longstanding experience in complementary fields meet each other at just the right time: Starch expert Juergen Graefe and Manfred Guenther, a specialist in film-forming polymers and preservatives.
First product launch with Y2000 Sensomer CI-50 Y2003. Development of the Amylomer™ product concept and collaboration with selected distributors worldwide.
Start of production
The trusting working relationship with our longstanding and reliable manufacturing contractor URSA Chemie GmbH goes all the way back to the early days.
Ursa is certified in accordance with quality management system ISO 9001: 2015; EMAS environmental management system ISO 14001: 2015; Occupational health and safety ISO 45001:2018, GMP compliance
Fit for the future
This year is characterised by a change in management. Melanie Guenther takes over management of the company from her father.
She maintains company traditions, gives the company greater scope and initiates close cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute and INCI-Experts.
Successful certification
The management and quality processes at Gräfe Chemie are certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV Nord.
With a certified quality management system, we meet the justifiably elevated expectations of our customers regarding our products. It also sees us systematically pursue optimisation potential within our company.
Natural cosmetics manufacturers that use alternative, natural and clean substances in their products are becoming increasingly popular.
Setting the course for business expansion
Establishment of an in-house product development lab. Nicole Herhaus takes over R&D; product development begins. In addition to extra personnel, investment at our Hamburg location places a particular focus on in-house lab technology and equipment.
Since 2020, further pertinent business development has received the support of two experienced managers: Stefan Karstens advises the management on all business matters, while Stefan Heinsohn assumes responsibility as CFO.
Efficacy tests
«effectableyours»:
effective, independent, objective, customised, creative
With «effectableyours», we offer a platform that enables you to benefit from our expertise.
- Using biophysical methods of measurement, we test the efficacy of your products.
- We simulate repeatable and methodical half-side comparisons.
- Sensory characteristics are tested by qualified hairdressers with longstanding expertise in hair.
- We develop framework formulations for you.
Our knowledge of raw material effectiveness and expertise of our partners in this type of service are factors that generate genuine value added for the customer. We offer this service in cooperation with INCI-Experts GmbH in Hamburg, a specialist in cosmetic and medical product formulation development and an experienced partner in regulatory affairs.
New produkt
With Amylomer™ Care 25 we offer you a new product that is particularly easily biodegradable.
Take a look at everything about application and performance, download the safety data sheet, the technical data sheet and the technical bulletin , and order a sample!
Two new colleagues support the team
Since this summer, the company development has been actively supported by Kristin Salour and Katja Bindernagel.
Kristin Salour is in charge of the office management from start to finish. Katja Bindernagel is head of product development and business development. She holds an M.Sc. in Cosmetic Science and is a hairdressing master with long-standing experience in this field.
Sustainability Report 2022
With regard to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are pleased to publish Gräfe Chemie’s first Sustainability Report 2022.
Outlook
The cosmetic market is in a state of flux.
As a lifestyle sector, the cosmetics industry has always been a seismograph and precursor when it comes to the implementation of social trends and developments. The cosmetic industry has consequently been preoccupied with the orientation towards natural, sustainable raw materials and identification of sustainable supply chains and production methods for many years. Natural cosmetic products meanwhile are growing disproportionately.
Our expertise, longstanding experience and close contact to our partners help us serve this rapidly growing cosmetics segment and discover new trends.
In terms of the market, we have our ear to the ground through our international network maintained in cooperation with our longstanding partners.
Gräfe Chemie has based its business model on the continuous development of products to meet the modern needs of the skin and hair care market and the future development of such.
Responsibility
Short distance production, sustainable value chain.
Why wander afar, when the goods can be found locally? For the lion’s share of our products, potatoes are the source of our natural starch. Grown and harvested locally and processed into Amylomer™ products in Germany. Short and snappy, that’s our sustainable supply chain!
Rely on the premium quality of our source material handling and product processing. We assume the commensurate responsibility.
Amylomer™ products are:
paraben-free
not tested on animals
not genetically modified and non toxic
based on “renewable plants”
But that’s not all, our aim is also to impress you with the performance of our raw materials.
Rely on us to demonstrate the effectiveness of Amylomer™ products in your formulations using state-of-the-art testing carried out by experienced specialists.
Sustainability Report
With regard to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are pleased to publish Gräfe Chemie’s first Sustainability Report 2022.
An exchange between people is like the contact between chemical substances:
Quality assurance
Certifications
Gräfe Chemie quality management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001 : 2015
Manufacturing contractor URSA Chemie GmbH: Quality management system ISO 9001:2015; EMAS environmental management system ISO 14001:2015, occupational health and safety ISO 45001:2018, GMP compliance
Corporate Social Responsibility
A commitment to issues we feel connected to.
We are happy to support good initiatives. Preferably when we see overlaps with our idea of responsibility for products and sustainable use.
As a sponsoring member of Viva con Agua, we provide effective, long-term support for water projects by paying a regular membership fee. Our membership fee helps to give people all over the world access to clean drinking water and promotes the social engagement of young people in Germany.
Königinnen e.V. is an independent and non-profit association that we support with our membership. People who suffer from hair loss due to illness or genetics are given back a better quality of life and their usual anonymity through individual human hair wigs or hairpieces. The organisation also makes it possible for people with low incomes to afford professionally made hair substitutes for an increase in self-esteem.
Since 1993, Dunkelziffer e.V. has been combating the sexual abuse of children and child pornography with therapy, counselling, prevention and ongoing education. The association has long campaigned for better victim protection and tougher penalties, as well as for the removal of taboos on the subject through media work and comprehensive public education. Graefe Chemie supports Dunkelziffer e.V. with an annual donation.
Our Amylomer™ products are carbon neutral. How exactly does this work?
Together with ClimatePartner, we have measured the carbon emissions that occur during the manufacture of our Amylomer™ product series through raw materials, packaging, logistics and disposal: this is known as the Product Carbon Footprint.
Where possible, we avoid and reduce our CO2 emissions. For example, potatoes, our main supplier of natural starch, are grown, harvested and finished locally in Germany.
We offset all unavoidable CO2 emissions from the Amylomer™ product series by supporting a climate action project. As a result of this, the Amylomer™ products are certified carbon neutral. Climate action projects save CO2 emissions – for example, through reforestation or the replacement of harmful technologies with climate-friendly alternatives. More information about our climate protection project can be found at www.climatepartner.com/17346-2109-1001.
We mark our Amylomer™ product series with the independent label “carbon neutral”, and consequently enable our customers to understand how the product has become carbon neutral, and learn more about the climate action project. This label therefore provides our customers with full transparency regarding the carbon neutrality of our products.
To compensate for our CO2 emissions, we support the following recognised climate action projects certified according to international standards: solar energy in Outapi, Namibia, forest protection in Pará, Brazil, and hydropower in Virunga, DR Congo.
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