REDMARK acquired by MOSAIQ GROUP

Arkea Capital acquired a 20% stake in Bartolac, marking the first time the family-owned group has opened its capital to an outside investor. The transaction facilitates the financial exit of the founding generation while supporting the second generation (Planeix family). The capital injection is intended to accelerate organic growth (targeting 7-12% annually) and fund strategic acquisitions in Europe and Asia.

Syensqo has finalized the divestment of its Oil & Gas Business Unit to SNF Group. The strategic rationale for the sale is to advance Syensqo’s "pure play specialty" strategy, allowing the company to sharpen its strategic focus and reallocate capital toward its core science-led businesses. For SNF Group, the acquisition represents a significant milestone in its growth strategy, strengthening its competitive position in the global energy market. The integration of Syensqo’s oilfield stimulation chemicals portfolio and its 600 employees provides SNF with enhanced R&D capabilities and access to established customer networks. This transaction ensures the continuity of specialized chemical services for the energy sector while enabling both organizations to optimize their respective portfolios—Syensqo toward diversified high-growth specialties and SNF toward a leadership position in industrial chemical applications.

Inessens has completed the acquisition of 100% of Le Sanglier Packaging from its founder. The strategic rationale for the transaction is to enhance the complementarity within the Inessens group, specifically by strengthening its expertise in cardboard packaging. This integration allows Inessens to offer a more complete and qualitative product range to its existing client base in the wine and spirits sectors. For Le Sanglier Packaging, the deal provides the necessary resources to ensure long-term sustainability and benefit from group-level synergies while preserving its local identity and industrial values. The transaction follows a period of constructive dialogue between the two independent entrepreneurs aiming to create a stronger industrial player capable of meeting the evolving premiumization and sustainability demands of the packaging market.

Following a comprehensive strategic review of its lubricants subsidiary, British energy major bp has reached a definitive agreement to divest a 65% majority stake in Castrol to alternative investment firm Stonepeak. This corporate carve-out accelerates bp's reset strategy to simplify its downstream portfolio and optimize its asset base. Accordingly, the net cash proceeds will be entirely allocated toward debt reduction. While relinquishing operational control, bp retains a 35% minority interest in a newly incorporated joint venture, maintaining strategic exposure to the brand's performance with the optionality to fully monetize its remaining shares after a two-year lock-up period. or the acquirer, this infrastructure-driven transaction secures a majority position in a defensive, hard-asset enterprise backed by a consistent track record of nine consecutive quarters of year-on-year earnings growth. Stonepeak's post-closing roadmap focuses on driving Castrol's long-term commercial growth across core international manufacturing and distribution hubs, principally in India (via the publicly listed Castrol India Limited), Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The transaction is scheduled to close by the end of 2026, subject to customary regulatory clearances.

Holcim has finalized the 100% acquisition of Alkern from the private equity firm Chequers Capital. This transaction marks the final exit for Chequers, which had supported Alkern’s growth since 2016. The strategic rationale for Holcim is the immediate reinforcement of its "Construction Solutions" pillar in the French market, positioning it alongside its existing Lafarge and PRB operations. The deal received clearance from the French Competition Authority in late December 2025. Alkern will maintain its operational autonomy, brand identity, and current management team led by Xavier Janin. The merger is designed to capture €11 million in EBITDA synergies by the third year, primarily through commercial cross-selling and operational optimization with Holcim’s sister companies. Access to Holcim’s global R&D center in Lyon will further accelerate Alkern’s innovation in carbon-capture concrete and water management infrastructure. This acquisition also includes the joint control of specialized entities EVBME and Sofama Vermeulen, broadening Holcim’s reach into niche molding and materials markets.

Compagnie Chargeurs Invest entered into exclusive negotiations to sell a 75% controlling stake in Novacel to KPS Capital Partners, while retaining a 25% minority interest. The all-cash transaction is part of a broader portfolio rebalancing strategy for Chargeurs, allowing the group to reduce debt, strengthen equity, and focus resources on its "Museum Studio" and "Fashion" divisions. For Novacel, backing from KPS provides the capital necessary to pursue external growth and deeper expansion in Asia and LATAM. The deal was favored due to KPS's operational expertise and low-leverage model. Completion is expected in H1 2026.

Arsenal Capital Partners completed the acquisition of ThermoSafe from Sonoco Products Company. The deal represents a full‑control buy‑out of ThermoSafe, with the seller exiting the cold‑chain packaging segment and simplifying its portfolio around core metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging businesses. The temperature‑controlled packaging business is deeply embedded in the pharmaceutical and biologics value chain, serving high‑value, highly regulated shipments where product integrity and temperature control are critical. Arsenal positions the transaction as a strategic platform play within its middle‑market specialty‑industrial and healthcare vertical, aiming to leverage its prior experience in the packaging and industrial materials sectors to accelerate ThermoSafe’s growth through expanded geographic reach, product‑line innovation, and operational improvements. The firm also plans to support the existing management team led by CEO Russell Grissett, reinforcing continuity while professionalizing governance and commercial capabilities to capture further share in a global cold‑chain packaging market projected to grow at a double‑digit CAGR over the next decade.

Sacred Group has finalized a majority BIMBO, valuing the company at less than €30 million. The transaction sees industrial partner Stéphane Tortrat take a 60% stake, integrating his company Fenec into the new entity. Historical backers Bpifrance and BNP Paribas Développement remain in the capital, while former majority owner reduced his stake from 75% to 9%. The strategic rationale is to reduce Sacred’s exposure to the automotive sector by leveraging Fenec’s non-auto client base in aerospace, defense, and medical sectors. The merger creates a consolidated group with €75 million in revenue and a strong international presence (40% outside Europe). The deal was supported by senior bank debt provided by Bpifrance Financement, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale.

The transaction involves the acquisition of Sopano by FrenchFood Capital, supported by a pool of regional investors including BNP Développement, Caisse d’Epargne Normandie, Unexo, and Banque Populaire Nord. This secondary LBO marks the exit of NCI after a four-year holding period characterized by the group's successful diversification into the food sector. The deal is financed through an equity ticket of EUR 20–30 million and a unitranche debt facility provided by BNP Paribas AM, representing a leverage of approximately 3.0x EBITDA. The strategic rationale is to leverage the acquirer’s deep network in the food industry to accelerate Sopano's growth, with the ambition of doubling its turnover in the coming years. This objective will be pursued through both organic expansion and a proactive "buy-and-build" strategy in France and neighboring countries.

FSN Capital IV and other minority shareholders have signed a definitive agreement to sell 100% of the shares in Fibo to Norcros. The transaction marks the conclusion of a successful 10-year growth journey under FSN Capital IV, which originally acquired Fibo as a carve-out from Byggma ASA in 2015. During this ownership period, Fibo underwent a transformation from a local Norwegian player into a robust international entity with a diversified revenue mix and highly automated manufacturing capabilities. The strategic rationale for Norcros is to gain access to Fibo's market-leading waterproof wall panel technology, which complements its existing bathroom product suite. For Fibo, the acquisition provides access to greater resources and the ability to collaborate with a larger group to further serve global customers. The deal was advised by DNB Carnegie, Haavind, PWC, and Raymond James for the sell-side. Closing is anticipated in the second half of 2025, pending customary regulatory approvals.