Croda International has acquired the encapsulation and delivery system technology portfolio of Brazil’s Inventiva for an undisclosed sum. The Brazilian company was founded in 2008 by two entrepreneurs – Renata Raffin and Candice Felippi – with the aim of developing and manufacturing encapsulated systems mainly for the personal care industry. Raffin said Croda’s investment means that Inventiva will be able to focus on developing products for new application areas.

Both of the founders will become employees of subsidiary Croda Brazil. UK-based Croda said the acquisition, with which it will acquire strong customer relationships in Brazil and South America, along with good scientific data and leading knowledge, will form the basis of a research and technology platform for its products as well as other potential opportunities.

Marco Carmini, managing director of Croda Latin America, said Inventiva’s capabilities will allow it to expand its personal care offering in the short term and develop new and exciting ingredients for this and other market sectors in future. He added that the technologies meet the demands of niche, rapid growth markets, a strategic focus for the British company.