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M&A

SCHÜLKE

Acquired by

ATHOS CONSORTIUM

GERMANY Life Sciences EV [1b EUR - 100b EUR] 08/2023

Target

SCHÜLKE

Acquirer

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.

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.

Ent. Value

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Equity Value

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Multiples Analysis

EV / Revenue

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EV / EBITDA

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EV / EBIT

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Historical Financials (EUR)

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Other operations with SCHÜLKE

DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
09/2020EQT PARTNERSSCHÜLKEGERMANY
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. Announced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deal saw increased competition from other major private equity firms (PAI Partners, Ardian) due to Schülke’s critical role in infection prevention. EQT’s vision for the company involves accelerating geographical expansion, enhancing its digital presence, and reinforcing its market leadership in the healthcare hygiene sector through a focused "stand-alone" strategy.