Investment fund AXA Private Equity has signed an agreement for the sale of 100% of its interest in Unipex Group, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of natural active ingredients and specialty chemicals for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutrition sectors.
The new owner is the IK2007 fund, advised by IK Investment Partners, one of the major investment firms in Europe.
AXA Private Equity originally acquired Unipex from Atrium Group in 2008. Since then, Unipex’s revenues have steadily increased to 200 million euros in 2012. A combination of organic growth and four build-up acquisitions have enabled the Group to extend both its geographic reach and product offering.
Unipex Group will remain under the leadership of Patrice Barthelmes and the existing management team.
The IK2007 fund announced being looking forward to seize acquisition opportunities that would support Unipex expansion . In July 2011, Unipex acquired French supplier Lucas Meyer Cosmetics.
The completion of the transaction is subject to certain customary conditions, but the parties expect the transaction to be completed by the end of September.
