SYENSQO OIL & GAS BUSINESS UNIT acquired by SNF GROUP

This corporate carve-out transaction marks the full acquisition of Axillon Aerospace’s industrial composites business by Mearthane Products Corporation, representing the platform's latest programmatic transaction over a multi-year period and accelerating its long-term capital deployment strategy. By acquiring an active, fully staffed facility in Cincinnati, Mearthane bypasses greenfield capital expenditure timelines to achieve immediate capacity expansion, alleviating internal manufacturing bottlenecks while securing operational continuity under the leadership of senior production manager Kevin Perkins. The post-closing integration agenda focuses on injecting localized commercial sales resources to drive higher capacity utilization across the acquired molding lines, standardizing chemical procurement contracts to capture group-level volume rebates, and cross-selling Mearthane’s broader robotics and semiconductor-grade polymer solutions to the target's legacy blue-chip industrial customer base.

DSM-Firmenich has agreed to sell a majority interest in its Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) business to CVC Capital Partners. Under the terms of the agreement, DSM-Firmenich will retain a 20% minority stake to benefit from future upside. The transaction structure involves a combination of cash proceeds (~EUR600 million) and the transfer of debt/liabilities (~EUR500 million) to the new standalone entity. Additionally, the deal includes an earn-out component based on future performance. Post-closing, the business will be operationally split into two separate entities: "Solutions Company" and "Essential Products Company," both headquartered in Switzerland. A long-term supply agreement has been established to ensure the ongoing provision of vitamins between the parent and the divested entities.

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.

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.

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.

Mosaiq Group has acquired 100% of Redmark S.r.l., marking its first add-on acquisition since the platform's formation exited the business. The acquisition integrates Redmark's specific expertise in leather and sustainable branding materials into the broader Mosaiq portfolio. The deal was executed through Bulgarelli Production, one of Mosaiq's portfolio companies. The transaction strengthens Mosaiq's international presence via Redmark's Chinese and Turkish branches.

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.

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.

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.

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.