| Rank | Company Name | Year Established | Product Focus | Key Certifications | Minimum Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpine Botanicals Ltd. | 1995 | Silymarin, Milk Thistle Extract, Bulk Botanical Extracts | ISO 9001, GMP, Organic EU | 100kg |
| 2 | Liechtenstein Extracts Co. | 2001 | Pharmaceutical Grade Silymarin, Organic Milk Thistle Extract | ISO 13485, GMP, Kosher | 50kg |
| 3 | Rhine Valley Botanicals | 1988 | Bulk Silymarin Powder, Standardized Milk Thistle Extract | ISO 22000, GMP, Halal | 200kg |
| 4 | Swiss-Liech Botanical Solutions | 2010 | High-Purity Silymarin, Custom Botanical Blends | ISO 9001, GMP, USDA Organic | 25kg |
| 5 | Vaduz Natural Extracts | 1998 | Organic Silymarin, Eco-Friendly Milk Thistle Extract | EU Organic, Fair Trade, GMP | 50kg |
| 6 | Triesen Pharma Botanicals | 2005 | Pharmaceutical Grade Silymarin, Liver Support Extracts | EMA Approved, GMP, ISO 17025 | 100kg |
| 7 | Balzers Bulk Extracts | 2015 | Bulk Silymarin, Wholesale Botanical Extracts | ISO 9001, GMP, FSSAI | 500kg |
| 8 | Eschen Organics | 2008 | Organic Milk Thistle Extract, Silymarin for Cosmetics | Ecocert, USDA Organic, GMP | 30kg |
| 9 | Schaan Botanical Innovations | 2012 | Bioavailable Silymarin, Research-Grade Extracts | ISO 9001, GMP, Clinical Trial-Ready | 10kg |
| 10 | Mauren Global Traders | 1990 | Silymarin Trading, Cross-Border Botanical Distribution | ISO 9001, AEO Certified | Custom (Negotiable) |
1. Alpine Botanicals Ltd. (Est. 1995)
With over 25 years in the industry, Alpine Botanicals Ltd. is a household name in Liechtenstein's botanical extracts scene. Founded in 1995, the company has built its reputation on producing some of the purest silymarin and milk thistle extract in Europe. What sets Alpine apart is its vertically integrated supply chain: from partnering with local Swiss and Austrian farmers to grow organic milk thistle, to operating state-of-the-art extraction facilities in Vaduz, every step is controlled to ensure quality.
Alpine's product line includes standardized silymarin (with silybin content ranging from 70% to 95%), bulk milk thistle extract powder, and liquid extracts for cosmetic applications. They specialize in bulk botanical extracts, catering to large-scale supplement manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Certified by ISO 9001 and GMP, Alpine prides itself on consistency—their silymarin batches have a variation of less than 2% in active ingredient content, a level of precision that has earned them long-term contracts with major health brands.
Beyond product quality, Alpine is known for its customer-centric approach. Their team of food scientists and botanists works closely with clients to develop custom formulations, and their logistics network ensures door-to-door delivery in as little as 5 days for European orders. For businesses prioritizing reliability and scale, Alpine Botanicals is a top choice.
2. Liechtenstein Extracts Co. (Est. 2001)
Founded in 2001, Liechtenstein Extracts Co. (LEC) has carved a niche as a leader in pharmaceutical grade silymarin. Located in Schaan, the company's facilities are designed to meet the strictest pharmaceutical standards, making their silymarin a favorite among drug manufacturers developing liver disease treatments and hepatoprotective medications.
LEC's silymarin is produced using a proprietary cold-extraction method that preserves the integrity of silybin, the most active component of milk thistle. This results in a product with higher bioavailability compared to heat-extracted alternatives— a key selling point for pharmaceutical clients. In addition to pure silymarin, LEC offers organic milk thistle extract for natural supplement brands, with certifications including ISO 13485 (medical device quality) and Kosher, reflecting their commitment to diverse market needs.
What truly distinguishes LEC is its focus on research and development. The company invests over 15% of its annual revenue into R&D, collaborating with the University of Liechtenstein to study silymarin's potential in new applications, such as anti-aging skincare and metabolic health supplements. Clients praise LEC for its technical support; their team provides detailed COAs (Certificates of Analysis) and stability data, ensuring compliance with global regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA.
3. Rhine Valley Botanicals (Est. 1988)
Rhine Valley Botanicals, established in 1988, is one of Liechtenstein's oldest and most trusted bulk botanical extracts suppliers. Based in Balzers, the company has built a legacy on providing high-volume, cost-effective silymarin and milk thistle extract to wholesalers and distributors across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Specializing in bulk orders, Rhine Valley offers silymarin powder in quantities ranging from 200kg to 10,000kg per shipment, with competitive pricing that makes them a go-to for businesses looking to scale. Their product line includes both standardized silymarin (70-80% silybin) and crude milk thistle extract, suitable for everything from animal feed supplements to budget-friendly human health products. Certified by ISO 22000 (food safety) and Halal, the company ensures its extracts meet global dietary requirements.
Rhine Valley's strength lies in its efficiency. The company operates a 24/7 extraction facility, allowing for quick turnaround times even for large orders. Their in-house quality control lab tests every batch for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination, and they offer flexible payment terms for long-term clients. For wholesalers and distributors prioritizing volume, reliability, and affordability, Rhine Valley Botanicals delivers on all fronts.
4. Swiss-Liech Botanical Solutions (Est. 2010)
A relative newcomer founded in 2010, Swiss-Liech Botanical Solutions has quickly made a name for itself with its innovative approach to silymarin production. Located in Eschen, the company focuses on high-purity silymarin and custom botanical blends, targeting premium supplement brands and niche cosmetic companies.
Swiss-Liech's flagship product is its "UltraPure Silymarin," which boasts a silybin content of 95%—one of the highest in the market. This ultra-concentrated extract is ideal for premium supplements where space is limited, such as softgels and tablets. The company also offers custom blends, combining silymarin with other botanicals like turmeric or artichoke extract to create synergistic formulas for liver health. Certified by USDA Organic and GMP, Swiss-Liech sources its milk thistle from organic farms in the Swiss Alps, ensuring traceability and sustainability.
What sets Swiss-Liech apart is its agility. Unlike larger manufacturers, the company can accommodate small minimum orders (starting at 25kg) and turnaround custom formulations in as little as 2 weeks. This flexibility has made them popular among startups and boutique brands looking to test new products without committing to large volumes. Clients also appreciate their transparency; the company provides full supply chain maps, allowing customers to trace their silymarin back to the specific farm where the milk thistle was grown.
5. Vaduz Natural Extracts (Est. 1998)
Vaduz Natural Extracts (VNE) is Liechtenstein's leading supplier of organic silymarin and eco-friendly milk thistle extract. Founded in 1998, the company has always prioritized sustainability, from using solar energy to power its extraction facilities to implementing a zero-waste policy that repurposes extraction byproducts as fertilizer.
VNE's organic silymarin is certified by the EU Organic label and Fair Trade, reflecting its commitment to ethical sourcing. The company partners with small-scale farmers in Austria and Italy, paying above-market rates to ensure fair labor practices and environmentally friendly farming. Their milk thistle extract is available in powder, liquid, and encapsulated forms, with applications ranging from natural supplements to organic skincare products (silymarin's antioxidant properties make it a popular anti-aging ingredient).
Beyond sustainability, VNE is beloved for its customer service. The company assigns dedicated account managers to each client, providing personalized support from order placement to delivery. They also offer educational resources, such as webinars on silymarin's benefits and formulation tips, helping clients market their products more effectively. For brands that want to align with eco-conscious consumers, VNE's organic silymarin and transparent practices are a powerful selling point.
6. Triesen Pharma Botanicals (Est. 2005)
Triesen Pharma Botanicals, established in 2005, is a specialized supplier of pharmaceutical grade silymarin for the global healthcare industry. Based in Triesen, the company's facilities are EMA (European Medicines Agency) approved, making their silymarin suitable for use in prescription medications and over-the-counter liver support drugs.
Triesen Pharma's silymarin undergoes rigorous testing, including HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and microbial screening, to ensure it meets pharmaceutical purity standards (less than 0.1% impurities). The company also offers custom particle sizes, allowing pharmaceutical clients to optimize their tablet and capsule formulations for dissolution and absorption. In addition to pure silymarin, they provide standardized milk thistle extract for nutraceuticals, with certifications including GMP and ISO 17025 (testing laboratory accreditation).
What makes Triesen Pharma stand out is its focus on regulatory compliance. The company's team includes former FDA and EMA inspectors who provide consulting services to clients, helping them navigate complex global regulations. This expertise has made Triesen Pharma a trusted partner for pharmaceutical companies expanding into new markets. As one client noted, "Their ability to anticipate regulatory changes and keep us compliant has saved us countless headaches."
7. Balzers Bulk Extracts (Est. 2015)
Balzers Bulk Extracts, founded in 2015, is a rising star in Liechtenstein's silymarin market, specializing in high-volume, low-cost bulk botanical extracts. Despite being one of the newer players, the company has quickly gained traction by leveraging modern logistics and automation to reduce costs without compromising quality.
Balzers' main offering is bulk silymarin powder, available in 25kg bags or 1-tonne super sacks, with minimum orders starting at 500kg. Their silymarin is standardized to 70% silybin, making it ideal for mid-range supplements and functional foods. The company also offers a range of other bulk botanical extracts, including green tea extract and turmeric, allowing clients to consolidate orders and reduce shipping costs.
What sets Balzers apart is its global distribution network. With warehouses in Rotterdam, Dubai, and Singapore, the company can deliver bulk orders to clients in as little as 3 days in Europe and 7 days in Asia, significantly reducing lead times. Their online ordering platform, which provides real-time inventory updates and instant quotes, has also streamlined the purchasing process for busy buyers. For wholesalers and large-scale manufacturers looking for efficiency and affordability, Balzers Bulk Extracts is a strong contender.
8. Eschen Organics (Est. 2008)
Eschen Organics, established in 2008, is a niche supplier focusing on organic silymarin for the cosmetic and natural food industries. Based in Eschen, the company prides itself on creating gentle, skin-friendly extracts that harness silymarin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Eschen's organic milk thistle extract is Ecocert certified and free from synthetic solvents, making it suitable for clean beauty brands. The company offers both water-soluble and oil-soluble versions, allowing formulators to incorporate silymarin into serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens. For the food industry, Eschen provides silymarin-infused extracts for functional beverages and snacks, such as liver-support tea blends and energy bars.
What makes Eschen unique is its focus on education. The company regularly publishes research on silymarin's skin benefits, including studies on its ability to reduce redness and protect against UV damage. They also offer formulation workshops, teaching cosmetic chemists how to maximize silymarin's efficacy in products. For beauty and food brands looking to differentiate with science-backed ingredients, Eschen Organics is a valuable partner.
9. Schaan Botanical Innovations (Est. 2012)
Schaan Botanical Innovations (SBI), founded in 2012, is at the cutting edge of silymarin research and development. The company, located in Schaan, specializes in high-bioavailability silymarin and novel botanical formulations for premium supplements.
SBI's flagship product, "BioSilymarin," uses a patented microencapsulation technology that enhances silybin absorption by up to 300% compared to standard silymarin. This innovation has made BioSilymarin a favorite among luxury supplement brands, who market it as a "next-generation" liver support ingredient. The company also conducts clinical trials on its extracts, providing clients with data to support health claims and differentiate their products.
Beyond product innovation, SBI offers custom R&D services, working with clients to develop unique botanical blends. Their team of pharmacologists and food scientists can create extracts tailored to specific needs, such as time-release silymarin or silymarin combined with probiotics for gut-liver axis support. For brands looking to lead the market with innovative, science-backed products, SBI is an invaluable partner.
10. Mauren Global Traders (Est. 1990)
Mauren Global Traders, established in 1990, is Liechtenstein's oldest botanical extracts trading company. Unlike manufacturers, Mauren acts as a bridge between buyers and producers, leveraging its network of trusted suppliers (including many on this list) to source silymarin and other botanical extracts for clients worldwide.
Mauren's strength lies in its global reach and logistics expertise. The company works with buyers of all sizes, from small supplement brands to multinational pharmaceutical companies, and can source everything from small-batch organic silymarin to large-volume industrial-grade extracts. Their team handles all aspects of the supply chain, including quality testing, customs clearance, and shipping, making the process seamless for clients.
What sets Mauren apart is its flexibility. The company offers custom sourcing solutions, including hard-to-find extracts and specialized certifications, and is known for negotiating favorable terms with suppliers on behalf of clients. For businesses new to the botanical extracts market or those looking to diversify their supplier base, Mauren Global Traders provides a low-risk, hassle-free option.
