We interview Alex Oro, CEO of Derworld.
With a strong heritage in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, Derworld by DERQUIMICA has evolved into the fields of cosmetics and nutrition under the leadership of Alex Oro. The company combines tradition and innovation to deliver natural, effective and environmentally responsible ingredients.
Name, position and company
Alex Oro, CEO of Derworld by DERQUIMICA.
Tell us about the company you work for. What is its story?
Our company was founded in 1965 by Mario Oro to supply pharmaceutical and nutritional actives to local laboratories. In the 1970s, it specialised in natural-origin actives — mainly phytoactives, botanical extracts and animal-derived actives — at a time when synthetic ingredients were considered innovative and natural extracts seemed outdated herbal therapy.
When I joined as the second generation, we began to shift our strategy towards markets such as nutrition, food supplements, oral and topical cosmetics, and animal nutrition.
What does your day-to-day work involve?
The main task is managing the team to face all the external challenges that arise every day. I also stay in contact with our external collaborators, study the incorporation of new suppliers, new lines of actives, and so on — all focused on business development across the different health areas in which we operate.
What differentiating value do you offer?
We provide a comprehensive global service for our clients, offering more than 3,000 ingredients for their formulations, proposing concepts based on their therapeutic goals, and providing technical, scientific and regulatory support so they feel guided throughout the product creation process. We also aim to deliver disruptive solutions that bring real value to our clients.
What challenges do you think you will face in the coming years?
There are several… Among them, continuing to be competitive in markets that are constantly evolving.
Another important one is developing solutions that meet environmental expectations aligned with what consumers demand from products.
What does being part of the Beauty Cluster bring to your company and to you as a professional?
Becoming part of the “family” that is the Beauty Cluster will provide us with great knowledge about the personal care and beauty industry. We also hope it creates opportunities to share our extensive experience in the world of natural-origin ingredients.
Going back to you. How did you enter the beauty sector?
We entered the beauty sector many years ago through the *Beauty from Within* category, with ingredients for nutricosmetic formulations that not only were but continue to be leaders in their respective segments. For us, it’s a natural evolution and portfolio expansion for our clients.
Speaking of “beauty”, how would you define it?
Beauty is a term that can be applied to many fields… In any case, beauty is the quality of something or someone worthy of being admired. The cosmetics industry today has the power to provide that feeling through countless products.
Any hobby, superpower or hidden passion you’d like to share?
Many hobbies, little time to enjoy them. That’s why what I value most is spending time with my loved ones and enjoying the present without constantly thinking about tomorrow.
What is the last book you read or movie you watched?
I’ve just finished *The Perfume Hunter* by Dominique Roques — a journey around the world exploring the origins of the finest essences used in haute perfumery, telling the personal stories of those who grow the plants from which these scents are derived.
Business is based on…
Trust, ethics, personal relationships and having a medium- to long-term vision.
