Martin Bauer Group expands global botanicals empire with BI Nutraceuticals acquisition

“The investment in BI Nutraceuticals will build on Martin Bauer Group’s capabilities in the US including research and development, formulations and manufacturing,”​ Tara Kastury, marketing director at Martin Bauer Group, told NutraIngredients-USA.

She added that BI’s manufacturing capabilities on both US coasts which include milling, blending and extraction options, “will enhance the group’s ability in terms of product portfolio, flexibility and minimum order quantities, within the dietary supplement industry and beyond.” ​

The Martin Bauer Group was founded in the German province of Bavaria in 1930 when its eponymous founder started growing his own herbs to deliver to pharmacies, drugstores, hospitals, and health food shops.

It acquired several newly-privatized phytochemical companies in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Then, the company continued its worldwide expansion with subsidiaries launched in the US, China, Japan, Brazil, and Argentina, among others. Today, it remains a family business, supplying botanical ingredients worldwide to tea, beverage, and nutritional supplement manufacturers.

BI Nutraceuticals CEO: ‘A significant move forward’​

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. According to a press release, the two companies will continue to operate independently.

BI Nutraceuticals will continue to operate under its current name as part of Martin Bauer’s nature network group of companies.

According to the press release, BI Nutraceuticals president and CEO George Pontiakos said the acquisition represents a “significant move forward for us and our combined customer base.” ​

“BI Nutraceuticals will now have access to the global resources of the Martin Bauer Group in the areas of raw materials sourcing, processing technology, liquid extract production and research and development.”​

For the Martin Bauer Group, the acquisition is part of the company’s strategy to grow within the dietary supplement industry and to be much closer to clients in terms of formulation and manufacturing, Kastury said.

Growing consumer demand for plant-based products​

Additionally, the acquisition is Martin Bauer’s response to growing consumer demand.

“Consumer’s focus on ‘health’ and ‘better-for-me’ across all areas of life is driving increasing demand for functional ingredients across the food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries,”​ Kastury added.

Adding to that is continued consumer demand for plant-based and botanical ingredients across food and beverage categories.

There is demand for transparency, which includes clean labels (an industry term for short ingredient lists) and responsible sourcing, Kastury said.