Naturex (Avignon, France) has acquired Berkem's Actifs Innovants division for 9.5 million euros. The division, which specializes in plant extracts, reported 2007 turnover of 3.8 million euros.
The acquisition includes Actifs Innovants' Svetol product, a green coffee extract with reported weight loss properties. Under the agreement, Naturex will manufacture and sell this and other extracts in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Of the deal, Naturex president and CEO Jacques Dikansky said, "This acquisition will boost our ability to bring more and more innovative health product concepts that will set the market trends, with the competitive advantage to offer health claims supported by all the required scientific proofs, from certificates of authenticity to clinical studies."
Expanding Through 08
The announcement comes on the heels of Naturex 's acquisition of Chart Corp., which specializes in the production of natural flavoring ingredients for the beverage and flavor industries. The company's future expansion this year will include:
- Opening a Chinese subsidiary
- Launching sales offices in Japan and Germany
