France: ABF Ingredients acquires Fytexia Group

  • 8 February 2022
  • M&A
Fytexia
Image from Fytexia’s website

ABF Ingredients (ABFI), a division of Associated British Foods, has acquired Fytexia Group, a life science company developing scientifically supported active nutrients for dietary supplements, backed by Lyon-based private equity firm ArchiMed.

Headquartered in Vendres, Southern France, Fytexia Group has a presence in Europe and regional offices in the US and Asia. It focuses on the research and scientific validation of bioactive compounds to deliver functional ingredients for the improvement of human health and wellbeing, targeting non-communicable diseases. Fytexia Group comprises two businesses: Fytexia, a global specialist in polyphenols, and B Natural, which concentrates on the extraction and refinement of brown propolis.

Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, chief executive of ABFI, said: “Fytexia Group is a strong science-driven business with a successful track record servicing the dietary supplements industry. Fytexia Group will make an excellent addition to our family of businesses by bringing expertise in polyphenols and health and nutrition active ingredients extracts from botanicals and propolis, therefore strengthening the ABFI offering in health and nutrition ingredients.”

Matthieu Arguillère, chief executive of Fytexia Group, added: “We share the same values and are both convinced that natural science-based nutritional solutions are the future of the industry. At Fytexia Group, we believe ABFI is the perfect partner to accelerate the development of our activity globally in the best possible conditions, with the support of a larger organisation. Therefore, we will accelerate our clinical research to support our existing product line as well as our future developments.”

ArchiMed partner, Robin Filmer-Wilson, commented: “Fytexia Group has demonstrated over the last few years an outstanding track record of growth, driven by strong investments in science and product development, and international expansion, under the majority ownership of ArchiMed. The company is now a recognised category leader in polyphenols, which are a strategic class of molecules for nutraceuticals, with proven metabolic and physiological properties and increasing scientific traction. It has been a real pleasure working closely with Matthieu Arguillère and his team to accelerate the development of Fytexia Group through a buy-and-build strategy. We have been convinced by the strategic plan shared between ABFI and the management team and we wish them a great success for this new venture.”