Fertiberia Group takes a step forward to lead the sector of innovative solutions for plant nutrition thanks to biotechnology. The company has sealed the acquisition of Trichodex, a technology-based company based in Seville, in an operation that forms part of its strategy to grow in the development of biofertilisers and biostimulants with high added value.
Founded in 1991, Trichodex has an R&D team that translates research results from its laboratories into high-tech products that are then developed at its state-of-the-art production centre in the Seville town of Dos Hermanas. This highly integrated business model has allowed it to offer sustainable solutions adapted to the needs of farmers in different areas of the world. In addition to Spain, Trichodex markets its products in a dozen countries in Europe and Latin America. Its products are based on patented bioprocesses selecting optimal microorganisms to produce bioactives that improve the profitability and protection of crops.
“The combination of Trichodex’s biotechnology with Grupo Fertiberia’s innovative product development will provide farmers with cutting-edge sustainable tools to improve their crops,” says Javier Goñi, president of Grupo Fertiberia. The acquisition enhances the company’s plant nutrition offering in biofertilisers and biostimulants and also expands its portfolio with advanced biocontrol solutions based on microorganisms.
Triton invested in Grupo Fertiberia in 2020 to support management’s strategy of accelerating product innovation and investing in the company’s manufacturing processes to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly. The Fertiberia Group is now implementing the Net Zero plan to lead the development of the European fertiliser market with a zero carbon footprint through the use of renewable sources in the production process. Along with the full decarbonisation of its product portfolio, more than 50% of its sales already come from smart fertilisers adapted to the nutritional needs of each crop, which it develops at the Agri-environmental Technologies Centre (CTA) at the University of Seville. “Our R&D&I capabilities now grow with the integration of Trichodex, which will be able to maximise the potential of its innovations within one of the largest European groups in the sector”.
The massive incorporation of renewable energies in all production processes, together with the development of advanced solutions thanks to innovation in biotechnology, allow the Fertiberia Group “to lead the fertilisation sector of the future in Europe, offering farmers a range of products that offer maximum agronomic efficiency and minimum environmental impact”.
Grant Thornton provided Financial advice with a team led by president and Financial Advisory partner Ramón Galcerán, together with David de Boet M&A, associate director at Dextra International. Legal advice was provided by Álvaro Rodríguez, head partner of Grant Thornton Legal and Ana Novoa, M&A director/Debt Advisory at Grant Thornton.
Pérez-Llorca acted as Legal advisor to Grupo Fertiberia with a team formed by Corporate partner Javier Carvajal, corporate lawyers Noemi Marques de Magallanes and Ignacio Carnero, Competition partner Pablo Figueroa and Competition lawyer Julia Böhme.
