ADVANCION (ANGUS CHEMICAL) acquired by ARDIAN

The transaction involves the acquisition of a 50% interest in Ingegner Giulio Faggioni Carrara (IGFC) by the listed entity Franchi Umberto Marmi (FUM). A significant feature of the transaction is the strategic reinvestment by the seller, Giulio Vanelli Marmi (GVM), which subscribed to a 29.4 million EUR capital increase to hold a 9% stake in FUM, subject to a 36-month lock-up. Strategically, this move secures FUM’s long-term access to the world's most sought-after marble varieties, Statuario and Calacatta, thereby reinforcing its competitive moat and vertical integration. The acquisition of these quarry rights is value-accretive, allowing the group to capture higher margins across the value chain and ensure supply stability for its premium international contracts. For the market, this deal highlights the consolidation trend within the Apuan district, where leading players are increasingly seeking to internalize high-value raw material sources.

Croda International has acquired Iberchem Group from the French private equity firm Eurazeo. This acquisition provides Croda with an immediate, high-growth platform in the global Fragrances & Flavours (F&F) market. The deal allows Croda to offer "full formulation" solutions to its customers (combining active ingredients with scents). Iberchem will continue to operate as an independent entity to preserve its agile culture. The transaction was funded via a combination of existing debt facilities and an equity placement.

Sparring Capital acquired a majority stake in Pure Trade alongside the management team. The transaction marked the first deployment of the Sparring Capital Fund 2. The partnership was strictly engineered to accelerate Pure Trade’s international expansion—particularly in the United States—and to professionalize the group’s organization while participating in sector consolidation via external growth. Pure Trade had demonstrated solid fundamentals with an annual growth rate of nearly 20% p.a. over the five years leading up to the transaction.

Alliance Etiquettes has completed its eighth external growth operation since 2015 with the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of 5 Sept Etiquette. This strategic transaction significantly reinforces the group's presence in the Southeastern France region (Provence / Rhone Valley), a critical area for premium wine production. The deal integrates a company with unique digital know-how and a complementary client portfolio. While the financial terms were not disclosed, the acquisition adds EUR12 million in revenue to Alliance Etiquettes, further consolidating its position as a market leader. The founder of 5 Sept Etiquette, Patrick Wack, exits the business following this transaction.

Poncin Metal underwent a management buyout supported by Sofimac Regions and Esfin Participations. The transaction allowed for a smooth leadership transition while providing the capital needed to pursue an ambitious modernization plan. The investment thesis focused on Poncin Metal's strong positioning in high-value-added industrial subcontracting and its potential to capture new markets through technological upgrades.

Cobepa S.A. has acquired a majority stake in Gerflor SAS from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) and other shareholders, including Credit Mutuel Equity. Following the transaction, ICG (which had owned the company since 2011) will retain a significant minority stake. The deal was finalized in late January 2020 after receiving approval from the European Commission. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to strengthen Gerflor’s market leadership and accelerate its international expansion, particularly in North America and Asia. Under ICG’s previous ownership, the company more than doubled its revenues, reaching the €1 billion milestone through a mix of organic growth and strategic bolt-on acquisitions. The new ownership structure under Cobepa is designed to provide the long-term capital necessary to pursue further external growth and leverage Gerflor’s expertise in high-growth niches like sports and healthcare flooring.

Green Arrow Capital has acquired a majority stake in Poplast from Eos Investment Management (which held 86.5%) and minority operating partners. The management team, including Carlo Callegari and Pierangelo Fantoni, has reinvested in the company. The deal values the company at over EUR110 million. The acquisition aims to create a "Green Packaging" pole by aggregating other companies in the flexible packaging sector that focus on recyclable and compostable materials. The transaction was financed by Credit Agricole Italia and Deutsche Bank.

Tekni-Plex, Inc. has acquired 100% of the share capital of Lameplast S.p.A. from the Italian private equity firm Aksia Group (Aksia Capital IV fund). This transaction represents the first exit for the Aksia Capital IV fund. Lameplast's expertise in pharmaceutical injection moulding and its strong foothold in the European ophthalmology market will be integrated into Tekni-Plex's global healthcare packaging division. Under Aksia's ownership since 2016, Lameplast had strengthened its management, enhanced R&D, and expanded its commercial presence in the US.

Blackstone entered into a definitive agreement to acquire an initial 51% controlling stake in Essel Propack from the Ashok Goel Trust. The transaction was strategically motivated by the rapid growth of the Indian consumer market and the increasing global demand for specialized pharmaceutical and personal care packaging. By transitioning from a family-led structure to a private equity-backed model, the deal was designed to accelerate Essel Propack’s expansion across the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions, utilizing India as a central manufacturing and export hub.

Alpha Private Equity acquired a controlling stake in Laminam from the Stefani family (System Group). The CEO reinvested significantly alongside Alpha and continued to lead the company. The acquisition followed a competitive auction involving funds like InvestIndustrial, Ardian, and BC Partners. The transaction was financed by Banco BPM. The strategic goal was to accelerate Laminam's global expansion and capitalize on its tripled production capacity following recent investments in its Parma (Italy) and Vorsino (Russia) plants.