Omya is a Swiss minerals company founded in 1884 that extracts, processes, and distributes specialty materials derived from calcium carbonate, dolomite, and perlite. Operating 160 plants across more than 50 countries with approximately 9,000 employees, the company generated CHF 4 billion in annual revenue and maintains a substantial intellectual property portfolio of 325 patent families.
The company serves multiple industrial sectors - consumer goods, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial applications - by transforming natural minerals into high-performance ingredients. This involves mineral extraction and processing, specialty materials distribution, formulation work, and research and development supported by 17 dedicated laboratories.
As a privately owned enterprise, Omya has maintained a long-term approach to business development, prioritizing sustainable growth and technical innovation. The company emphasises minimising environmental impact whilst developing products and solutions, guided by what it describes as a 'Thinking of Tomorrow' ethos.