Verel

September 29, 2025 – Founded in 1983, Verel, a B2B cosmetics company, is now part of The Synergetic Group, a private holding led by Giampaolo Cagnin, a serial entrepreneur from Parma with more than thirty years of experience in Research & Development and in the production of natural functional ingredients for the B2B food industry.

Based in Lesignano De’ Bagni, on the Parma hills, Verel currently serves major clients across Europe and the Middle East. It operates multiple modern and flexible production lines, with capacities ranging from 50 to 3000 liters, and covers every cosmetic category—from face care to body care, from hair care to sun care—offering all the main market textures (emulsions, gels, oleolites, surfactant-based systems), both as contract manufacturing or full-service solutions.

The acquisition by The Synergetic Group marks a turning point in Verel’s growth path. The deal will allow the company to leverage shared resources and know-how, even from different sectors such as B2B food ingredients and cosmetics—a “divergence” turning into creative “convergence” that will generate value for both. At the same time, Verel will further develop proprietary active ingredient lines, consolidating its unique positioning in the industry.

Significant investments are already underway, such as the purchase of 11,000 sqm of land adjacent to the current 7,000 sqm headquarters to support future expansion. In parallel, Verel has already initiated key scientific collaborations, including one with the Department of Food and Drug Sciences at the University of Parma, led by Professor Gabriele Costantino, who has taken on the role of consultant and scientific supervisor for Verel.

“The acquisition of Verel, a key player in the B2B cosmetics sector, fits naturally into my entrepreneurial journey,” said Giampaolo Cagnin, CEO of The Synergetic Group. “After thirty years dedicated to R&D for the production of functional ingredients in the food industry, the transition to an adjacent market such as cosmetics represents an especially exciting challenge for me and my team.”

“State-of-the-art technologies, the development of proprietary natural raw materials, and long-standing know-how from the food ingredients sector—these are the pillars of our strategic vision. With the support of The Synergetic Group, we are ready to face market challenges with strong economic and scientific foundations, the excellence of Made in Italy, and a constant drive for innovation,” added Eugenio Niccolini, CEO of Verel.

The transaction was successfully completed with the support of Dr. Alberto Gennarini of Vitale & Co., a leading firm in the field of Mergers & Acquisitions.

Giampaolo Cagnin

Giampaolo Cagnin is a serial entrepreneur with over thirty years of experience in food technologies, specializing in R&D and the production of natural functional ingredients.

In 1989, he founded Italiana Ingredienti, focused on functional ingredients for the meat industry. The company was acquired by CHR Hansen of Copenhagen in 1999, and for the following five years Giampaolo led the international Business Unit dedicated to functional ingredients.

In 2005, he founded Campus, another B2B food-tech company. In 2015, White Bridge Investments took a stake in the company, and in 2018 it was acquired by the Swiss multinational Firmenich.

In 2012, Giampaolo founded HiFood, a B2B company specializing in “free-from” and “plant-based” functional ingredients. Born within the University of Parma, HiFood opened a 7,000 sqm state-of-the-art facility for production and R&D in 2021. In 2022, HiFood was acquired by Investindustrial and integrated into CSM Group, with revenues exceeding €1 billion.

The Synergetic Group

The Synergetic Group is a financial holding company that invests in and develops enterprises capable of generating economic, cultural, and social value. With more than 20 portfolio companies in the food, cosmetics, education, automotive, and wellness tourism sectors, the Group promotes a business model that combines innovation, sustainability, and positive impact on local communities.

Its cultural and operational hub is Villa Pallavicino in Pilastro di Langhirano (Parma), a 17th-century residence transformed into a cultural center and innovation lab where entrepreneurs, scholars, and industry leaders meet to share knowledge, build relationships, and envision possible futures. Here, projects that connect art, research, development, and social impact take shape, reflecting the Group’s long-term vision as not just an investor, but a builder of entrepreneurial and cultural legacies.

The Synergetic Group champions core values such as Long-Term Thinking, Culture as a Competitive Advantage, Responsible Innovation, Measurable Impact, and Intelligent Beauty. This is how the Group positions itself as a European hub of culture and innovation, where business becomes a generator of the future.

www.synergetic-italy.it

Verel

Founded in 1983 in Lesignano De’ Bagni, Verel operates in the B2B cosmetic and cosmeceutical sectors. From the outset, it stood out for its innovative approach to product formulation, being among the first to produce single-dose capsules and bath pearls, while specializing in green cosmetics. After decades of collaborations with leading national and international beauty brands, in 2025 Verel became part of Giampaolo Cagnin’s Synergetic Group.

Verel provides clients with end-to-end support in developing their own cosmetic lines: from market analysis, ideation, and formulation to full-scale industrial production. Its mission is to deliver innovative, customized, effective, and safe solutions, built on natural ingredients and advanced technologies, ensuring superior quality standards.