Our history
- 1979 -
- 1979 -
Oystershell was actually founded to import and export oyster shells. At the time, it was a fairly new idea to supply the all-natural calcium and minerals needed to help hens produce eggs. In 1979, a family of Belgian millers took over Oystershell.
- 1980 -
- 1980 -
In the 1980s Oystershell gradually evolved from an agricultural focus towards veterinary medicines. Shortly after, Oystershell became a pioneer in the field of natural nutrients and remedies.
- 2002 -
- 2002 -
In 2002, a team of young bioengineers and pharmacists, led by Bart Rossel, acquired the company, with a vision to realise their own dreams. Sharing a passion for science, business and innovation, the new owners decided to keep the company's original focus on health, but to drastically reshape Oystershell’s mission towards developing products for external partners in consumer health. They realized that – despite the plethora of vain marketing slogans on the shelves – serious research and innovative products would always remain in demand.
- 2003 -
- 2003 -
Along with the original investors (who are still with us), the founders also believed in annually reinvesting company profits in applied scientific research to uncover new ideas for dermatology, the repelling and elimination of insects of medical concern, nutrition, respiratory ailments and other pharmaceutical areas.
- 2008 -
- 2008 -
By this time, Oystershell had already been among the first to commercialize silicone oils to "smother" head lice. But we were constantly developing new and better ways to fight insects. Clearly, suffocating the insects by covering up the openings they breathe through was not the answer. Originally inspired by insect behaviour and control in orange orchards and after painstaking years of studying the composition of the louse epicuticle Oystershell developed a new oil that creates a massive pinhole effect in the waxy skin layer of insects, dehydrating them within minutes.
- 2010 -
- 2010 -
Oystershell's work in microbiology also researched dermatophytes, the fungi that live on skin and nails. The biggest challenge is that the very same antifungals that successfully cure skin infections, have proven to be less effective in curing nail disease. This because of the poor penetration levels of the hard nail. Over recent years, Oystershell has been evaluating such nail penetration promoting substances that work in combination with acids and acid releasers. Today, Excilor® is the number one nail fungus product in Europe. Excilor® is produced by Oystershell and distributed by Vemedia.
- 2012 -
- 2012 -
Our brands and products are sold internationally through a network of partners we closely collaborate with. We distribute our own brands, develop partner brands and manage co-branding initiatives. Since 2012 Oystershell started to develop and distribute the following own brands: Elimax® (lice treatment), Raylex® (stop nail-biting), Pistal® (anti-insect spray), Pixie® (warts), Picasol® natural (insect-repellent) and Picasol® Sun and Insect protection. Other product launches are planned in 2017 and of course the coming years.
- 2015 -
- 2015 -
Before, spray cans containing a cold mix of propane and ether were used to freeze warts at home. But this type of freezing therapy is extremely flammable and does not result in the extremely low temperatures required to freeze the core of the wart. In ultra freezing, harmless nitrous oxide or laughing gas cools a porous soft nib of a pen to -89°C (or -112°F). Ultra freezing is a lot more effective, requiring less treatments and causing less discomfort. The product was launched under brand name Pixie® and under co-branding arrangements with Oystershell’s standing partners.
- 2017 -
- 2017 -
Acquisition of Oystershell by Gilde Buy-out Partners, Rudi Mariën and the management.
- 2020 -
- 2020 -
Today, Oystershell is primarily involved in over-the-counter drugs and health products, such as medical devices, biocides, cosmetics and food supplements. Our product innovation and research programs mainly focus on health products in the following domains: dermatology, cough and cold, gastro-intestinal and insect treatment.