M&As this week: Vaessen-Schoemaker, Firmenich, Cargill

Vaessen-Schoemaker has completed a planned stake acquisition in Agersol and is now a majority shareholder.

The acquisition adds alginate casings technology to Vaessen-Schoemaker’s portfolio, which currently contains functional ingredients.

Based in Poland. Agersol produces functional ingredients and casings based on alginate-gel.

Firmenich has signed a definitive agreement for acquisition with Senomyx.

Under the deal, Firmenich will purchase Senomyx’s entire outstanding shares for $1.5 a share.

Based in the US, Senomyx develops flavour ingredients and sweeteners.

Expected to be closed in Q4 2018, the transaction will see Senomyx integrated into the North America research and development (R&D) unit of Firmenich. However, its existing research and development (R&D) operations in San Diego will be continued.

Cargill has signed an acquisition agreement to acquire Konspol’s food and fresh chicken business assets in Poland, including branded and private label offerings and customer and supplier relationships.

The acquisition is aimed to increase Cargill’s footprint in the global protein business. It will enable Cargill to expand to 14 countries and also marks entry of its protein business in Poland.

Konspol produces convenience frozen and cold-cut chilled food products. Its operating assets include a feed mill, five broiler farms, and two processing complexes.

Swander Pace Capital has added frozen appetisers producer Fine Choice Foods to its global flavoured foods portfolio.

Based in Canada, Fine Choice Foods’ products are distributed to retail and foodservice channels across the US and Canada, including Costco, Loblaws and Sobeys stores.

Based in the US, Swander Pace Capital is a private equity firm that has also acquired US-based appetiser, noodle and wraps producer Passport Food Group.