August 3 2026, David R Brown
Brenntag acquires Woojin Trading in South Korea
Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, has signed an agreement to acquire personal care ingredients distributor, Woojin Trading Co., Ltd based in Anyang, South Korea.
The Korean market is a global trendsetter for beauty and personal care formulations and represents a significant growth opportunity
Francois Bleger
Global President Brenntag Beauty & Care
The planned acquisition expands Brenntag's presence in South Korea's trend-setting beauty and personal care market. Combined customers will benefit from broader formulation expertise, in-house laboratory capabilities, and an expanded product portfolio.
Francois Bleger, Global President Brenntag Beauty & Care, commented: “The Korean market is a global trendsetter for beauty and personal care formulations and represents a significant growth opportunity. Mr. Song, Ms. Kim and the team at Woojin have built one of the leading distributors for specialty products and formulations in this market. Our strengthened footprint will serve as a bridgehead for accelerating Brenntag's other businesses across South Korea, and we are excited to combine our strengths to grow in Korea and beyond.”
Founded in 1999 by Chairman Young Bae Song, Woojin has built a robust network of global suppliers alongside a rapidly expanding customer base across Asia and is one of the most reputable distributors of raw materials and ingredients for the beauty and personal care industry. The company has an in-house laboratory and deep, trusted partnerships with global supply partners.
Seon Yeon Kim, Chief Executive Officer of Woojin, commented: “We have built a strong foundation in South Korea, the hub of global beauty and personal care innovation. Joining Brenntag combines our regional expertise with global scale. Together, we can bring Korean beauty innovation to a global audience and unlock new growth for our team, customers, and partners.”
Financial details are not being disclosed. Closing is subject to customary conditions, including third-party approvals, and is expected in Q4 2026.
About Brenntag
Brenntag is the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution. The company holds a central role in connecting customers and suppliers of the chemical industry. Headquartered in Essen, Germany, Brenntag has more than 17,300 employees worldwide and operates a network of about 600 sites in more than 70 countries. In 2025, Brenntag generated sales of around EUR 15.2 billion. The two global divisions, Brenntag Essentials and Brenntag Specialties, provide a full-line portfolio of industrial and specialty chemicals and ingredients as well as tailor-made application, marketing and supply chain solutions, technical and formulation support, comprehensive regulatory know-how, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries.
Source(s): Brenntag Press Release