Evonik signs an agreement to acquire plant extract producer Botanica

Lenz & Staehelin is advising the specialty chemicals group Evonik in its acquisition of the Swiss plant extract producer Botanica from the selling family shareholders. With operations in Switzerland, France and Germany, Botanica is a European specialist in the production of sustainable botanical extracts for the personal care industry. The transaction is expected to close in Q4/2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

Botanica employs 43 people and was founded by the Wälti family in 1998. With a portfolio of over 1,000 different plants available for extraction. The plant extracts are used for cosmetic formulations and are certified according to Swiss Organic Produce Regulation and CSE sustainability standard.

By drawing on Botanica’s plant know-how and extraction competence, Evonik will innovate a wide range of sustainable base extracts in order to strengthen its broad portfolio of actives. Furthermore, Botanica’s highly customizable extracts will boost the portfolio of unique system solutions offered by the Care Solutions business line. The division Nutrition & Care aims to increase its share of system solutions from 20 percent today to more than 50 percent by 2030.

The Lenz & Staehelin team includes partner Matthias Wolf (pictured) and associates Ann Francesca Weibel, Rebecca Rötheli (all corporate/m&a) and Elena Furlanetto (employment).