World-leading contract manufacturer of decorative cosmetics – from eyeliner to lipstick.
Schwan Cosmetics International GmbH
Heroldsberg · Weißenburg · Český Krumlov · Tianjin · Murfreesboro · Curitiba · Bogotá · Toluca · Tangerang · ShanghaiNew on Amplifa
About Schwan Cosmetics
Schwan Cosmetics is a manufacturer specialized in the private-label production of decorative cosmetics, headquartered in Heroldsberg near Nuremberg. Founded in 1927, the company developed the 'Schwan Eyebrow Pencil', the world's first cosmetic pencil, and today produces eyeliners, lip liners, eyebrow pencils, eyeshadow sticks and lipsticks for more than 700 cosmetics brands in around 70 countries. Production is highly automated and includes formulation and texture development with over 370 textures, plastics processing, packaging and barrel production as well as the decorative Paint Shop and final assembly. In terms of materials, wood (FSC/PEFC-certified), PCR plastics, bio-based and biodegradable biopolymers as well as sugarcane-based materials are used. With nine production sites on five continents, the company produces more than 600 million pencils per year. Schwan Cosmetics is part of the Schwan-STABILO Group (founded in 1865) and belongs to Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding.
- Site
- Heroldsberg
- Processes
- Manufacture of cosmetic pencils (eyeliner, eyebrow, lip liner etc.), Development of cosmetic textures/formulations (over 370 textures), Decoration of products (Paint Shop, innovative decoration processes), Manufacture of packaging (barrels, e.g. CANDY, ProBarrel, Schoner/caps), Highly automated cosmetics production (over 600 million pencils/year, 9 production sites), Private-label development and manufacturing of decorative cosmetics, Color Visualizer (digital color matching), Personal Touches (care ingredients)
- Materials
- Wood (FSC/PEFC-certified), PCR plastic (post-consumer recyclate), Bio-based / biodegradable biopolymers, Sugarcane-based material (CANDY barrel, 65%), Palm oil and palm oil derivatives (RSPO Mass Balance, >85%), Wood, Bio-based and biodegradable biopolymers, Sugarcane-based material
- Certificates
- RSPO Mass Balance, EcoVadis Sustainability Rating (Top 1%), EcoVadis Sustainability Rating
- Founded
- 1927
- Employees
- 3000+
- Industries
- Color cosmetics, Beauty industry, Private-label cosmetics brands, Color cosmetics / beauty industry, Private label cosmetics brands
- 01
Development and formulation (over 370 textures, 360° customizing)
- 02
Material and packaging production (wood, PCR, biopolymers, barrels)
- 03
Decoration (Paint Shop)
- 04
Filling and highly automated assembly
- 05
Quality assurance and approval
- 06
Logistics and worldwide distribution (130 countries)
Materials and Processes
Wood
Certified wood for sustainable and durable pencil bodies.
PCR plastic (post-consumer recyclate)
Reduces fossil-based virgin plastic in primary packaging.
Bio-based and biodegradable biopolymers
Renewable raw materials for sustainable packaging, e.g. ProBarrel.
Sugarcane-based material
65% sugarcane content in the CANDY barrel.
Palm oil and palm oil derivatives
More than 85% of consumption is RSPO Mass Balance certified.
Mono-materials and recycle-refill systems
Facilitate circularity and reduce packaging waste.
Locations
Heroldsberg (HQ)
DEHeadquarters of Schwan Cosmetics International GmbH / Schwan Cosmetics Germany GmbH & Co. KG
- Materials
- Wood, plastics, formulations
- Highly automated production
- Paint Shop
- Development
Weißenburg
DESchwan Cosmetics Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co. KG
- Materials
- Plastic (barrels, packaging)
Český Krumlov
CZSchwan Cosmetics CR s.r.o. (production)
Tianjin
CNTianjin Schwan Cosmetics Co. LTD (production)
Murfreesboro
USSchwan Cosmetics USA Inc.
Curitiba
BRSchwan Cosmetics do Brasil
Bogotá
COCreative Colors S.A.
Toluca
MXCosmetic Colors, S.A. de C.V.
Tangerang (BSD City)
IDPT Kirana Anindita
Shanghai
CNAsia Sales Office
Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture of cosmetic pencils (eyeliner, eyebrow, lip liner etc.)Assembly | – | – | – | – | Wood, Plastic (PCR/PIR, bio-based, biodegradable), Mono-materials, Palm oil derivatives |
| Development of cosmetic textures/formulations (over 370 textures)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Clean/vegan formulations, Palm oil and palm oil derivatives, Natural origin content |
| Decoration of products (Paint Shop, innovative decoration processes)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of packaging (barrels, e.g. CANDY, ProBarrel, Schoner/caps)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Bio-based biopolymers, Wood chips, Recycled biopolymers, Sugarcane-based material, PCR plastic, Wood |
| Highly automated cosmetics production (over 600 million pencils/year, 9 production sites)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
Highly automated production with continuous improvement, regulatory assessment of all raw materials according to national and international standards, and the highest hygiene and safety standards.
| Evidence | Heroldsberg | Weißenburg | Český Krumlov | Tianjin | Murfreesboro | Curitiba | Bogotá | Toluca | Tangerang |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSPO Mass Balance | |||||||||
| EcoVadis Sustainability Rating |
History
- 1865
Gustav Adam Schwanhäußer acquires the pencil factory Großberger & Kurz – origin of the Schwan-STABILO Group.
- 1875
The swan is introduced as the company trademark.
- 1890
International sales activities, among others in Athens, Stockholm, St. Petersburg and Cairo.
- 1927
The world's first cosmetic pencil, the 'Schwan Eyebrow Pencil', is invented; Max Factor is among the first customers.
- 1972
Breakthrough with pre-moulded technology (MT) and Jumbo Sticks in the eyeshadow and lipstick segment; major order from Elizabeth Arden.
- 1995
Relocation of the headquarters to Heroldsberg.