SCHÜLKE acquired by ATHOS CONSORTIUM
Context
EQT Private Equity has agreed to sell 100% of Schülke to a consortium led by ATHOS, following a highly successful three-year transformation period. EQT originally acquired the company in a 2020 carve-out from Air Liquide for approximately €1.0 billion. During its ownership, EQT repositioned Schülke as a pure-play healthcare leader, executing five add-on acquisitions and divesting the personal care division. This strategic focus resulted in double-digit annual revenue growth and a near doubling of EBITDA in the core healthcare segment. The sale to the ATHOS Consortium represents a transition from institutional private equity to long-term family office ownership, aligning with Schülke’s 135-year heritage and its mission to protect lives worldwide.
In the past, SchüLke underwent an LBO led by Eqt Partners in 2020.
SCHÜLKE, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2023, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Healthcare & Pharma sector (14.8x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
Founded in 1889, Schülke is a global leader in infection prevention and treatment solutions for the healthcare and life sciences industries. Headquartered in Norderstedt, the company specializes in high-quality disinfectants, antisepsis products, and wound care solutions, featuring iconic brands such as octenisept, kodan, and desderman. Its business model focuses on mission-critical hygiene for hospitals, pharmacies, and direct patient care channels. Under recent private equity ownership, the company underwent a major strategic repositioning to exit non-core personal care segments and focus entirely on healthcare. Schülke operates three production sites in Germany, France, and Brazil, and maintains market-leading positions in Central and Eastern Europe, Australia, and Brazil.
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Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with SCHÜLKE
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/2020 | EQT PARTNERS | SCHÜLKE | GERMANY | Life Sciences | EQT completed the acquisition of 100% of Schülke from its parent company, Air Liquide. This transaction represents a strategic carve-out for Air Liquide, allowing the French industrial gas giant to refocus on its core activities while providing Schülke with the independent capital necessary for long-term expansion |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b EUR
EBITDA range: 100M - 200M EUR
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Target: schülke