Vantage Specialty Chemicals has merged with Lipo Chemicals and its affiliates, including Ruger Chemical Co., Inc., Lipo Technologies, Inc. and other affiliate companies.Lipo will now operate as a division of Vantage Specialty Chemicals and will retain its headquarters in New Jersey. The current management of Lipo, which includes members of the Frischling family, will remain with the business.

Lipo is a provider of ingredients and ingredient technologies to the personal care industry and is one of the world’s leaders in delivery system technologies. Ruger Chemical is a cGMP distributor of pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients. Vantage Specialty Chemicals includes Vantage Oleochemicals, a fatty acid and glycerin manufacturer, and Lambent Technologies, a North American oleochemical derivatives supplier, specializing in non-ionic surfactants.

According to a Lipo statement, the combination will leverage the global personal care brand presence of Lipo, allowing the combined company to achieve accelerated growth by expanding existing business relationships in North America, and creating new channels to market in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The companies will maintain and grow the Lipo brand in the personal care market. The merger creates a diversified, U.S.-based specialty chemicals company with sales approaching $500 million, 17 locations across 13 countries and over 550 employees.

Craig Frischling, president of Lipo Chemicals and Ruger Chemical, remarked, “We are very excited to partner with Vantage. Lipo’s customers will benefit from the added resources of the combined company while maintaining Lipo’s focus and strength in the personal care market.”