Chongqing innovator embeds microscopic magic in P&G, Unilever products

Pellets supplies Unilever and other Fortune 500 companies.

When blue streaks bloom on the toothpaste brush, or when body wash fragrances linger for hours, it's microencapsulation technology at work. Among the pioneers perfecting this science is Chongqing Pellets Biotech Co, a homegrown firm with 20 years of experience that supplies global giants such as P&G and L'Oreal. 

Microencapsulation encloses active ingredients in a protective coating, releasing them in response to friction, temperature, or pH changes. The technology ensures controlled release, protects sensitive substances, and improves handling. Evolving from its pharmaceutical roots, the company now spans the cosmetics, food, agriculture, and construction industries. 

The global microencapsulation market, valued at $13.9 billion in 2024, is expected to reach $25.19 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.

Pellets was founded in 2004 after Korean beauty titan Amorepacific approached it to encapsulate pine oil for timed toothbrush release. Successful R&D brought Pellet its first order and cemented Amorepacific as a key partner.

This foundation propelled Pellets' global expansion. When P&G sought localized suppliers in 2009, microencapsulation remained a niche field with few specialists, allowing Pellets to clinch the deal due to its proven expertise. Now, its technology has been embedded in flagship P&G products such as Pantene hair masks and Crest toothpaste. 

The partnership with P&G drove Pellets to elevate its standards and earn a Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification, a quality and safety benchmark enforced by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). 

Pellet's early GMP investment proved prescient when China tightened cosmetic regulations, and many companies had ignored certifications. According to Guo Yi, deputy general manager of Pellets, international brands hold stringent technical standards, and this edge has attracted Fortune 500 companies like L'Oreal and Unilever to cooperate with Pellets for customized microcapsule solutions.

Pellets has also deepened its local roots with a 20,000-square-meter R&D and production hub in Liangjiang New Area. The facility, which opened in 2024, offers ODM and OEM services for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. With an annual capacity of 300-500 tons, it embeds Chongqing's microscopic innovations into everyday products destined for global shelves.