Leading the change to natural colors

1874 – Chr. Hansen is founded in Denmark 

1876 – Annatto color for cheese and butter launches at World Exhibition in Philadelphia, USA 

1929 – Factory with color R&D facility opens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA 

1939 – Natural color range expands to include red beet, grape skin and paprika  

1941 – Dandelion Brand Butter Color trademarked 

1964 – Factory for carmine production opens in Quilmes, Argentina 

1979 – Listed on Copenhagen stock exchange 

1988 – Acquires Spanish factory specializing in paprika and natural beta-carotene called Extract Oil 

1988 – Establishes annatto plantation in Belém, Brazil 

1991 – R&D moves from Milwaukee, USA to Copenhagen, Denmark 

1995 – Enters joint venture in India to manufacture natural colors from turmeric and paprika called AKAY - Acquires a French company specializing in anthocyanins and grape polyphenols called Sefcal  - Acquires a Spanish company specializing in carmine called Navarra 

1996 – Launches CapColors® for brighter, more stable and more cost-effective colors  

1999 – Acquires what is now our flagship factory for minimally processed colors in Italy  -Acquires Quest Color business with factory in Ireland 

2003 – Acquires carmine production factory in Lima, Peru 

2005 – Acquired by French private equity fund PAI 

2010 – Listed on Copenhagen stock exchange for the second time 

2011 – Launches I-Colors® for powdered applications and FruitMax® minimally processed range  

2014 – Opens Global Expertise Center in Shanghai, China to address increasing consumer concerns about food quality 

2019 – Launches Hansen sweet potato™ – wins first of three innovation awards 

2021 – Acquired by Swedish private equity firm EQT and changes name to Oterra™  - Acquires Secna Group in Spain and Italy with expertise in organic caramel and anthocyanins   - Acquires Diana Food’s natural food coloring business in France with expertise in organic red beet and orange carrot