SuanNutra to acquire specialty natural ingredients businesses from IFF
Madrid-based SuanNutra, a global provider of science-backed branded and functional ingredients, has signed an agreement with IFF to acquire a portfolio of specialty natural ingredients businesses.
The deal, backed by SuanNutra’s owner Carbyne Equity Partners, will merge the acquired operations with SuanNutra’s existing business to form an enlarged group focused on science-backed natural ingredients. Completion is expected by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory clearances and customary closing conditions.
Scale and manufacturing footprint
The incoming businesses add clinically supported branded ingredients, owned botanical extraction at source, fermented vitamins and minerals, and plant-derived natural colours, antioxidants and flavours to SuanNutra’s existing range. Combined manufacturing will span botanical extraction sites in Spain, Slovenia and Peru, together with fermentation capacity in the United States.
Once complete, the merged group will employ around 700 people and serve more than 1,200 customers across over 60 countries. Both companies said customers would continue to be served without interruption, with ongoing investment in commercial capability, R&D and innovation across the enlarged group.
Positioning in nutraceuticals and food enhancement
The transaction extends SuanNutra’s reach beyond nutraceuticals into food-enhancement ingredients, an area where natural colours, antioxidants and flavours are increasingly displacing synthetic dyes, preservatives and flavourings. The company said the combination strengthens its “Visible Health” strategy, centred on clinically backed ingredients intended to deliver wellness benefits that consumers can see and feel.
Anthony Weston, Group CEO of SuanNutra, said: “The engaged, experienced people in these businesses know the products and customers deeply, and that expertise is central to everything we aspire to achieve. Together we will build, grow and transform this group into a stronger partner for our customers offering manufacturing at source, clinically proven ingredients, and a broad natural portfolio across nutraceuticals and food enhancement.”
Yoni Glickman, Non-Executive Chairman of SuanNutra, added: “Clinically supported branded ingredients are where this industry is heading, proven actives with the science to stand behind them. This expansion puts SuanNutra at the forefront of this transition. The move from artificial colours and preservatives to natural, scientifically substantiated ingredients is reshaping the food and health industries faster than ever.”
Investor perspective
Markus Petersen, Managing Partner of Carbyne Equity Partners, said the deal reflected confidence in SuanNutra’s management: “SuanNutra has a clear strategy and a management team that understands these businesses and their markets. This merger creates a botanical-based ingredients group of genuine scale and scientific credibility, and we are pleased to back the team in building it.”
Mai Karas, Investment Director at Carbyne Equity Partners, said: “Specialty ingredients are at the heart of Carbyne’s investment strategy. This transaction brings a global range of natural ingredients into the group and deepens our focus on the sector.”
For food scientists and formulators tracking clean-label reformulation, the deal signals continued consolidation among suppliers of botanical extracts, fermented micronutrients and natural colourants, an area likely to see further activity as manufacturers respond to demand for scientifically substantiated, naturally derived ingredients.
