NOVACAP acquired by EURAZEO & MERIEUX EQUITY PARTNERS
Context
Eurazeo and Mérieux Développement have signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Novacap from Ardian, which had held the company since March 2011. Ardian will retain a minority stake to maintain its commitment to the management team led by Pierre Luzeau. During Ardian's five-year ownership, Novacap underwent a massive transformation, executing six external acquisitions (notably in China and Germany) totaling approximately €240 million. This was complemented by an €85 million organic investment program to upgrade production tools. The strategic rationale for the new owners is to capitalize on Novacap’s reinforced position in high-margin target markets (pharmacy, health, and cosmetics), which now represent 68% of the group's activity compared to 44% previously. The transaction highlights Novacap's shift into a truly global player, with a strong footprint in Asia and a diversified revenue stream across essential chemical sectors. The new partnership aims to leverage Eurazeo’s financial strength and Mérieux’s healthcare network to pursue further international growth and solidify the group’s leadership in the specialty ingredients market.
It is worth noting that the fund Ardian took control of Novacap through an LBO in 2010.
NOVACAP, which reported an EBITDA margin of in 2015, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of , representing a to the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.5x).
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Target
Novacap is an international specialty chemicals group headquartered in Lyon, France, specializing in the production and distribution of essential chemical ingredients. The organization is a global leader across diversified end-markets, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, cosmetics, fragrances, food, animal nutrition, and environmental services. Its extensive product portfolio includes active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) such as aspirin and paracetamol, as well as salicylic acid, soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, and oxygenated solvents. The business model transitioned from a France-centric operation to a global platform with 14 production facilities worldwide and a workforce of 1,600 people, half of whom are based in Asia. Organized into three divisions—Mineral Specialties, Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics, and Performance Chemicals—the group serves over 750 clients globally, emphasizing sustainable development and high-value chemical synthesis for mission-critical consumer products.
Ent. Value
Equity Value
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EV / Revenue
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Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with NOVACAP
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/2010 | ARDIAN | NOVACAP | FRANCE | Specialty Chemicals |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 500M - 1.5b EUR
Revenue range: 450M - 900M EUR
EBITDA range: 50M - 100M EUR
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Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.
Acquirer: eurazeo / merieux equity partners