J.M. Huber Corporation Signs Agreement to Acquire the Biolchim Group

J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber) – a global, family-owned specialty engineered materials manufacturing company –  has signed a binding agreement to acquire full control of the Biolchim Group from NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital and the Biolchim Group management team. The Biolchim Group, managed and headed by Galileo Quattro SARL, has its main operating base in Italy and is a leading producer and distributor of a full range of specialty plant nutrition and biostimulants. Closing of the sale, anticipated to occur by the end of 2022, is subject to customary closing conditions including the foreign direct investment approval in Italy.

All the companies in the Biolchim Group, including Biolchim S.p.A, Cifo, Ilsa S.p.A, Matécsa Kft, and West Coast Marine-Bio Processing Corp., are within the scope of the purchase. The Biolchim Group operates eight production plants globally and its products, biostimulants, trace elements and water soluble, liquid and foliar fertilizers, are present in over 70 countries worldwide. The Biolchim Group has a rich 50-year history of serving the agricultural industry.

Upon close of the sale, the Biolchim Group will become part of Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a company within the Huber portfolio of businesses. The Biolchim Group will be a key part of the strategic foundation of the Huber AgroSolutions (HAS) business unit of HEM that currently includes Miller Chemical & Fertilizer (Miller).

Leonardo Valenti, CEO of the Biolchim Group since 2008 and a pioneer in the plant nutrition industry, will remain committed to lead the Biolchim Group through the next phase of growth and the integration, leveraging the synergy potential of the strategic combination of both entities.

Huber AgroSolutions’ vision is to become a leading formulator of sustainable, high-performing agricultural products globally. The acquisition of the Biolchim Group, which has achieved impressive growth due to its broad offering of biostimulant and specialty nutritional products, significantly advances this vision by bringing an innovative and entrepreneurial workforce and culture to HAS. Together the companies share a culture that is deeply committed to plant nutrition and the success of its many customers around the globe.

The complementary sales footprint of both companies will enable expanded customer and product access into key agricultural regions globally. In addition to remaining committed to serve the Biolchim Group’s existing customer base, this also ideally positions HAS to advance the sales of the Biolchim Group’s products through its strong relationships with US-based growers and its complementary distribution network in Latin America and select countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Biolchim Group’s sales channels are ideally suited to advance the sales of various Miller products via its strength in Europe and its global subsidiary network.

Huber is being advised on the purchase by Rabobank and Jefferies, and Jones Day is acting as legal counsel to Huber on the transaction.