Private equity provides access to capital, but with an inherent focus on the bottom line, PE often lacks the “vision” thing.

Forward-thinking company executives understand these pros and cons and often look toward the time when balance sheets give way to blueprints. For Sharon Personal Care, the wait is over and global expansion is underway. As previously reported, the company was acquired by Eternis Fine Chemicals Ltd. last month for an undisclosed amount.

Naama Eylon, president of Sharon Personal Care—By Eternis, told Happi that the acquisition gives Sharon leverage to scale, which could not have been possible in the short term. At the same time, Sharon maintains a clear identity and attains a reach into Asia.

“This is very exciting and a dream of mine,” admitted Eylon. “We couldn’t have done it alone.”

Eternis, based in India, boasts infrastructure, logistics and production throughout Asia. Founded in 1988, Eternis calls itself one of the top 10 global aroma chemical manufacturers. Its line includes Coumarin, PTBCHA, Styrallyl Acetate and Benzyl Salicylate. It is the largest exporter of aroma chemicals in India and exports account for 80% of sales at the privately-held company, which is part of the Mariwala Group, along with Marico Limited, a consumer products company with personal care and home care brands. 

“Eternis gives us leverage to scale that Sharon could not achieve in the near future,” said Eylon. “Eternis is very well-known; they walk with giants and have a clear reach into Asia—something Sharon never had.”

Eylon noted while Sharon is Ecovadis-certified, Eternis is on another level and should help improve its energy use, waste reduction, safety KPIs and sustainability.

“It will be a wonderful learning opportunity for us,” she added.

A Strong NPD Pipeline

One thing that won’t change at Sharon is new product development.

“Sharon excels in innovation. Everyone always asks, ‘What’s new?’ and we launch six or seven new products every year,” said Eylon. “This won’t change. The innovations will only get bigger.”

Sharon is best known for its lines of preservatives and active ingredients. Last year, Sharon launched Aquavita, which it calls the first and only vitamin-based multifunctional preservation system. It has applications in skincare, haircare, body care, scalp care, eye care, makeup, toiletries and wet wipes.

One of Sharon Personal Care’s launches for 2025 is Pantrofina Klamath. The active promises protection against inflammaging and photoaging. Derived from sweet water algae, it is said to provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and environomental defense properties, delivering a holistic solution for skin health. Per Sharon, Pantrofina Klamath preserves a phyto complex of Phycocyanin, vitamins, amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). It will debut at In-Cosmetics Global in Amsterdam, April 8-10, 2025.

Eylon is confident that Eternis will improve Sharon Personal Care with its infrastructure, logistics and production capabilities.

“Sharon is in good hands,” she concluded. “We will remain customer-centric and continue to bring something new every day.”