Azelis to acquire S&D Group
Deal will strengthen life science business in terms of product coverage and geographical spread
Azelis, a pan-European distributor of specialist chemicals, is to acquire S&D Group, a UK supplier of raw materials and ingredients to the pharmaceutical, food, personal care and performance chemicals industries.
The Belgium-headquartered firm said the acquisition would significantly strengthen its life science business, in terms of portfolio coverage and geographic spread.
Joris Coppye, group chief executive of Azelis, said: ‘This acquisition is one of the biggest in the entire Azelis history and is of significant strategic importance.’
No financial details were disclosed. As well as providing Azelis with a leading position in personal care and pharma in the CEE region, Coppye said the deal would add life science activities to its distribution of chemicals and plastic polymers in India and enable it to expand in China.
‘It is also an important step change towards globalisation through access to new markets such as Canada, Australia, Middle East and Africa,’ he said.
Peter Straus, co-founder and owner of S&D Group, added: ‘Once the amalgamation has been completed, the joint organisations will ensure a strategic position across Europe, create synergies and expand their distribution network for the benefit of suppliers and customers. This is a further major step in the growth story of S&D.’
Excluded from the acquisition are S&D companies involved in the pharmaceutical finished dosage (S&D Pharma), chemical synthesis and laboratory supply markets (Chemgo), as well as part of its personal care actives business (S&D Chesham GmbH and ProTec Ingredia), which will retain their original ownership and continue to operate and expand under their current management.
The deal is expected to be completed within the first quarter.
Azelis, backed by private equity investor 3i, has a turnover of €1.1bn and employs 1,100 people at 37 facilities in 27 countries across Europe, India and China.