© KBM
A brief history of our company
From the beginning up to an innovative initiator
Since the foundation of GfN in 1983, our scientists have devoted themselves to the development and manufacture of first-class natural extracts. Years ago, the company’s early specialising in collagen already laid the foundations for KBM, our current company. With our revolutionary product UniColl® we are driving our mission of promoting natural beauty and health forward through the use of premium quality ingredients. Under Michèle Lindner’s leadership, we have kept expanding our expertise in innovative production, and today we supply research institutions, manufacturers of medical devices world-wide and the world’s leading cosmetics brands with our collagen and biomaterials.
Ripened by experience
UniColl® – innovative medical grade collagen
Since 2015, we have been supplying cosmetic collagen to universities, a fact which – among other things – resulted in the intensive cooperation with the IASP [Institute of Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects] in Berlin, where Bernd Sundag used it successfully for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. In 2016, we obtained the permit for a ZIM project (Germany’s largest innovation programme for small and medium-sized companies) – "a wet-spin collagen filament" – with the ITM [Institute of Textile Machinery and High-Performance Material Technology] of Dresden University, which further aroused our interest in medical collagen. We employed Bernd Sundag and developed an endotoxin-free, acid-soluble tropocollagen. Then, on 21 January 2021, we founded KBM, Kollagen und Biomaterial für Medizinprodukte GmbH, in order to produce UniColl®, a medical kind of collagen. For its production we use hides from countries not affected by BSE, such as Australia and New Zealand..
Our journey to success
- Cooperation with universities and the IASP since 2015.
- Successful application of collagen for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
- Permit for the first ZIM project – "a wet-spin collagen filament" – with the ITM (Dresden University) in 2016.
- Founding of KBM GmbH für die Produktion von medizinischem Kollagen on 21 January 2021.
Our values
A company’s fundamental values characterise its identity and its actions. For KBM, these values are not just guiding principles but an integral part of the company’s mission and vision.
Quality
The quality of our products and services has first priority in everything we do.
Innovation
Innovation is the engine of our progress. We rely on continuous research and development.
Partnership
Partnerships are the key to success. We maintain long-term relationships with our customers, suppliers and partners.
Responsibility
We as a company bear the responsibility for our employees, our customers, the environment and society. We act in an ethical and sustainable manner.
© KBM
The history of GfN and KBM GmbH
Development and research of collagen solutions
Starting as a small company in the village of Hammelbach in the Odenwald (a low mountain range in southern Germany, 100 km south of Frankfurt), GfN GmbH has developed into a world-renowned manufacturer of natural extracts. With a strong focus on collagen solutions for cosmetic and medical applications, GfN GmbH jointly with KBM GmbH, which was founded later on, has produced numerous innovations.
- 1983: Founding of GfN GmbH
On 21 January 1983, Heidrun and Helmut Lindner lay the founding of GfN, Herstellung von Naturextrakten GmbH in Hammelbach, Odenwald.
Focus on the manufacture of natural extracts, collagen and elastin. - 1987: Michèle Lindner joins the company
After her father’s sudden death, 23-year-old chemist Michèle Lindner takes over various tasks in GfN GmbH. - 1988: First research project
Participation in a sponsored research project of the BMFT [German Ministry of Research & Technology] aimed at the development of a collagen molecule surfactant test in order to demonstrate the skin tolerance of surfactants (waiving the Draize test on the eyes of a rabbit). - 1996: Michèle Lindner takes over the management of the company
Michèle Lindner becomes the Managing Director of GfN GmbH.
The company is certified to DIN ISO9001:1996. - 1997: Foundation of Selco Wirkstoffe Vertriebs GmbH
Together with her then husband Bodo Wilker, Michèle Lindner establishes Selco Wirkstoffe Vertriebs GmbH in order to sell cosmetic active ingredients world-wide.
- 2015: Cooperation with universities and research institutions
Beginning of the close cooperation with the IASP (Berlin) and the ITM (Dresden) for the further development and application of collagen in medical devices. - 2016: ZIM project permit
Permit obtained for the first ZIM project – "a wet-spin collagen filament" – together with the ITM of Dresden University. - 2017-2019: Development of innovative production methods.
- 2021: Foundation of KBM GmbH
Foundation of KBM Kollagen und Biomaterialien für Medizinprodukte GmbH on 21 January 2021.
Conversion of some rooms of GfN GmbH into clean rooms and complete implementation of a new production line for the manufacture of UniColl®, a native medical collagen. - Today:
Besides collagen, KBM GmbH also deals with other biomaterials such as elastin, hyaluronic acid and polysaccharides from quince seeds.