Hikal Limited has started commercial production of Personal Care products at its new cGMP-compliant multipurpose manufacturing facility at Panoli, Gujarat. The facility marks Hikal’s entry into commercial-scale manufacturing for the global beauty and personal care industry.
Hikal has repurposed an existing manufacturing asset at its Panoli site for the new business, using its experience in process chemistry, regulatory manufacturing and customer-focused product development. The facility has recently completed its first production batches, with product samples subsequently validated by Hikal Limited customers.
The company said it has received encouraging customer feedback following the initial production, supporting demand for its Personal Care portfolio. Hikal is initially focusing on the Beauty & Personal Care segment, particularly skincare, where it sees growing demand across global markets.
The company has developed a portfolio of second-generation UV filters for skincare applications. These products are designed to provide enhanced performance while addressing changing consumer preferences and regulatory requirements in key international markets. The products are currently undergoing customer approvals as Hikal expands its portfolio beyond its established Pharmaceuticals, Crop Protection and Animal Health businesses.
“Personal Care represents the kind of long-term opportunity we look for. We’ve applied the same disciplined approach that built our Pharmaceuticals and Crop Protection businesses, deep customer partnerships, rigorous quality systems and patient capital investment, to a new category where global demand for specialty skincare ingredients is accelerating,” said Sameer Hiremath, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Hikal Limited. “Commissioning the Panoli facility, manufacturing our first production batches, and securing positive customer feedback points towards the growth of the business in the coming years,” he added.
The Personal Care facility forms part of Hikal’s broader programme to build additional high-value business platforms. The company recently commissioned a new cGMP pilot plant at its Pune Research & Technology campus to strengthen pharmaceutical process development and scale-up capabilities and support the growth of its contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) business. Hikal has also received an EcoVadis Gold Medal rating for sustainability performance, placing it among the top 5 per cent of more than 175,000 companies assessed globally. The company received an overall score of 84/100 and a 97th percentile ranking.
Established in 1988, Hikal supplies active ingredients, intermediates and biocides to customers across the global life sciences industry. The company has five manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Bengaluru, along with a Research & Technology centre in Pune. Its facilities are inspected and certified by global regulatory authorities. Hikal also holds Responsible Care certification and focuses on health, safety, responsible manufacturing and sustainable business practices across its operations.
