Placed into administration at the end of 2025, France’s Aquatonale group was taken over at the start of the year by a couple, Frédérique and Arnaud Le Trionnaire.
“We were keen to set up a joint project based on our areas of expertise. As a former oyster farmer, the group’s business, which focuses on promoting the marine environment, immediately struck a chord with me. In addition, it was a priority for us to save these jobs, because the team was really skilled and much dedicated,” explains Arnaud Le Trionnaire.
The company actually maintained the thirteen employees, plus recruited three trainees starting from September. “They are a source of fresh ideas and bring a spirit of innovation to ongoing projects”, says Frédérique Le Trionnaire, who is in charge of the staff.
Five complementary brands
The new management aims to strengthen the five existing brands, by broadening both their ranges and presence.
Perlucine has six Cosmos-certified natural skincare products based on white oyster shell powder, to which a sunscreen will soon be added. It is mainly distributed in organic and specialist stores for now, but the brand intends to open to new distribution channels, so it can reach the general public.
Several new launches will also broaden the professional brands’ ranges: Thalaspa provides beauty salons, thalassotherapy centers – including the thermal baths in St Malo – and spas with body care products based on marine actives, and Beauty Med offers a range of high-tech dermatological skincare products designed for beauty salons and beauticians.
Animarine, the skincare range based on marine clay designed for horses, is currently distributed by specialist resellers and through direct selling. It has launched a testing phase on wild animals with several zoos in Western France.
Lastly, Dorlokin, the sports skincare brand that had been dormant until now, is set to be relaunched in specialist sports shops.
Over 4 million euros in industrial investments
To support its goals, the group has invested more than 4 million euros in a new industrial tool. Based in south Brittany, France, it will soon move from its historic site to another, a few kilometers away, in order to settle in a 7,000-m2 location.
“This way, we will be able to take on larger orders and increase our storing capacity. We are also investing in new equipment”, adds the co-Director.
In addition, Belle en Mer purchased a marine clay extraction site south of the city of Nantes, to offer consistent raw material quality and secure its supply.
Export diversification
Already present in over 40 countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, through private and professional labels, the company is now aiming to enter South American markets in an effort to spread the risk associated with international conflicts.
“It is a year of recovery and upheaval, but we have promising prospects and goals that justify the investment,” say Frédérique and Arnaud Le Trionnaire.
