Updates

EQT Private Equity closes acquisition of Chr. Hansen’s Natural Colors division

#EQT IX#Natural Colors

On 26 September 2020, EQT Private Equity announced its intention to acquire the Natural Colors division of Chr. Hansen (“Natural Colors”), the leading global developer and manufacturer of natural coloring ingredients for food and beverages. 

EQT is hereby pleased to confirm that the closing of the transaction was completed on 31 March 2021.

Cees de Jong, incoming Chair of Natural Colors, stated, “I am very pleased to be joining the board of Natural Colors as Chair to support the company and EQT in the future value creation. Having known the Natural Colors business and several members of the team for many years, I am confident that it has great potential to further solidify its leading position within natural color solutions. The company is supported by all the right market trends, including increased consumer demand for natural ingredients, and it has a remarkable heritage with 140 years of experience, which we intend to build on.”

Odd Erik Hansen will join the company as CEO. He joins most recently from Glycom, a Danish-based biotechnology company, which was acquired by DSM in 2020 and where he has served as CEO since 2019. Odd has a strong profile in the ingredient industry with experience in both strategic and operational roles.

Odd Erik Hansen, CEO of Natural Colors, said, “I look forward to joining the Natural Colors team and building on a strong commercial platform. Natural Colors has an important purpose of further advancing the conversion from artificial to natural ingredients, which I am thrilled to take part in.

We have an ambitious growth agenda and I look forward to developing the company together with the Natural Colors team and our owners.”

EQT is also pleased to announce the new Board of Directors, consisting of highly experienced individuals that can provide relevant industry experience to the Natural Colors organization:

  • Cees De Jong (Chair): Chair at Mediq B.V., A-Mansia Biotech S.A.; Vice Chair at Novozymes A/S; former CEO of Chr. Hansen A/S
  • Christoffer Lorenzen: CEO at Karo Pharma; former EVP at Chr. Hansen A/S
  • Xiangwei Gong: President Asia at AptarGroup Inc.
  • Mads Ditlevsen: Partner at EQT Partners
  • Carl Martin Borcher: Director at EQT Partners

Mads Ditlevsen, Partner and Investment Advisor at EQT Partners, commented, “The completion of the acquisition marks an important milestone on this journey, and we are excited to welcome all of the Natural Colors employees and the new board to the wider EQT family. Together, we will accelerate the transition from artificial coloring components to more sustainable and natural ingredients.”

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About Chr. Hansen Natural Colors
The world leader, Chr. Hansen Natural Colors helps manufacturers bring safe and appetizing products to consumers at mealtimes – and any time in between. Our deep insights about markets, regulatory requirements, applications, pigments, and phytonutrients place us at the forefront of the industry. Our color portfolio is the largest and most vibrant in the food industry, and our nutraceutical range has scientifically supported health benefits. 

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organizationwith more than EUR 84 billion in raised capital and currently more than EUR 52 billion in assets under management across 17 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with total sales of more than EUR 27 billion and approximately 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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