Clariant completes acquisition of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics

Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, has completed the acquisition of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, a leading provider of high-value ingredients for the cosmetics and personal care industry, from IFF for an Enterprise Value (EV) of USD 810 million (~ CHF 720 million). Purchase price will be subject to customary net debt and working capital adjustments.

“The acquisition of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics is a prime example of how we implement our purpose-led growth strategy and support our goal of accelerating customer- and sustainability-driven innovation,” said Conrad Keijzer, Chief Executive Officer of Clariant. “The complementarity in customer portfolio, product portfolio, and regional strongholds and capabilities in R&D and in marketing make the combination of Clariant and Lucas Meyer Cosmetics a leading solutions provider for high value personal care brands.”

“I see the acquisition of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics as a significant step forward for Care Chemicals. Customers as well as consumers increasingly demand high value natural ingredients,” said Christian Vang, President of the Clariant Business Unit Care Chemicals and the Americas region. “I extend a warm welcome to 190 highly qualified professionals as our new colleagues at Clariant. We jointly look forward to exciting growth opportunities and expect to increase annual sales to USD 180 million in 2028 from around USD 100 million currently.”

The transaction further transforms Clariant’s portfolio toward high-growth, high-margin and highly cash-generative specialty chemicals businesses and consumer end-markets underpinned by accelerating demand for natural and sustainable products. It increases Clariant’s exposure to the active and functional cosmetic ingredients market in the Business Unit Care Chemicals.

Clariant was scheduled to consolidate Lucas Meyer Cosmetics in its Business Unit Care Chemicals as of 2 April 2024. The acquisition was funded through the issuance in March 2024 of a CHF 350 million dual-tranche (CHF 200 million for 3 years at 2.375 % and CHF 150 million for 7 years at 2.75 %) senior unsecured bond and through a multi-currency bridge facility at an interest rate of around 4.4 % per annum, which is intended to be refinanced in 2024, subject to market conditions. Clariant expects no change to its investment-grade credit rating after closing.