BASF's food-pharma omega-3 presence
Germany’s BASF has also been expanding its nutrition unit, and recently announced it had acquired Norwegian omega-3 firm, Pronova Biopharma, for €644m.
Andreas Bais, BASF’s head of global marketing communication in human nutrition, told us the Pronova buy, if approved by regulators, will cement the company’s omega-3 presence from food to pharma grades, while boosting output capacity in the hot sector.
“A successful acquisition of Pronova will complement the recent acquisition of Equateq [now BASF Pharma Callanish] and will offer significant expansion opportunities for our existing dietary supplements business,” Bais said.
“The technologies from Equateq, Cognis and Pronova each are different and complementary. Synergies will also be created between the BASF business units: 'Pharma Ingredients and Services' and 'Human Nutrition'.
“A successful Pronova acquisition will enable both units to optimally combine their raw material purchasing, even at intermediate steps along the value chain. The company offers the entire range from low to medium to super high concentrated omega-3 fatty acids.”