Azelis, a leading innovative service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, announces the signing of the acquisition of Quimdis, a leading French distributor of ingredients for nutraceuticals, flavors & fragrances, animal nutrition, personal care, pharma and food. This acquisition strengthens Azelis’ offering to fast-growing and attractive markets, whilst also enhancing the position of Azelis France in the life sciences sector.

Highlights & rationale

• This transaction enhances Azelis’ lateral value chain by diversifying and expanding its presence in France and EMEA
• The acquisition of Quimdis provides Azelis in EMEA with an important foothold in the growing non-cyclical markets of flavors and fragrances, synergistic opportunities in animal nutrition, and expands its offering in nutraceuticals
• The transaction is consistent with Azelis’ strategy of complementing organic growth with strategic acquisitions

Quimdis was founded in 1988 by Jean-François Quarré, Michel Manalt and Claire Couratier, originally focusing on essential oils and active ingredients. It now specializes in the ingredients distribution and formulation development, with solid positions in the French market and with sales into more than 45 countries. Quimdis complies with Ecocert, ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 22000: 2005 approvals. Mr. Quarré will remain in his position to support the transition of Quimdis to Azelis. Quimdis is headquartered in Paris and has sales close to  €100m. Quimdis’ 78 employees serve over 1,000 customers and c.400 suppliers.

Closing of the acquisition is expected to take place end of August.

Dr. Hans Joachim Müller, Chief Executive Officer & President at Azelis, says:

“Following our recent acquisition of Vigon in North America and now Quimdis, Azelis is well positioned to develop, structure and implement a global strategy for flavor & fragrance market with the aim to become a market leader. Quimdis will be our EMEA pilar of that strategy and a crucial part of creating a global flavor & fragrance platform. Quimdis and Azelis will combine its relationships with top tier principals, with the aim of extending mandates in existing and new countries for a number of attractive product groups.”

Mr. Jean-François Quarré, Founder and CEO at Quimdis, comments:

“We are delighted about the opportunity to continue to grow our business under Azelis’ ownership. As well as benefitting from Azelis’ global principal relationships, Quimdis will have access to Azelis’ digital marketing and technical capabilities which will allow us to develop and promote innovative and sustainable solutions for the life science industry. Becoming part of the Azelis family provides many synergistic opportunities that will help secure our future.”

Mr. Benoit Fritz, Managing Director of Azelis France, adds:

“Azelis will leverage Quimdis’ expertise to complement our lateral value chain with reliable and natural products like essential oils, amino acids, active ingredients, vitamins and minerals. We will further benefit from their strong presence across EMEA, expertise and product portfolio in attractive target market segments and geographies.”

The acquisition of Quimdis illustrates the support provided by EQT since the initial acquisition of Azelis. EQT is confident that the expanded range of services and global reach provided by this acquisition will continue to bring benefits to customers and principals of the combined group.