Chongqing—From the vibrant streaks in toothpaste to the long-lasting scent of body wash, microencapsulation technology quietly enhances daily life. Chongqing Pellets Biotech Co., Ltd., with 20 years of experience, supplies global giants like P&G and L'Oréal.

Pellet supplies Unilever and other Fortune 500 companies. (Photo/Liu Xihan)

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

According to Grand View Research, the global microencapsulation market, valued at $13.9 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $25.19 billion by 2030.

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. Pellets clinched the deal through 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 Pellet to elevate its standards and earn a Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification. GMP is 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. International brands hold stringent technical standards, and this edge attracted Fortune 500 companies like L'Oréal and Unilever to cooperate with Pellet for customized microcapsule solutions, said Guo Yi, vice general manager of Pellet.

While expanding globally, Pellets deepened its local roots with a 20,000m² R&D and production hub in Liangjiang New Area. The facility, opened in 2024, provides ODM and OEM services for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. With an annual capacity of 300-500 tons, it embeds Chongqing’s microscopic innovations into everyday products destined for global shelves.