Breaking: EW Group in exlcusive negotiations to acquire French Company, Olmix

Never a dull day on deal street – as Animal Health companies consolidate, in a major transaction, German EW Group GmbH has officially entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Olmix Group. The French firm is widely recognized as an international pioneer in algae-derived animal care and plant health solutions.

The transaction involves EW Group acquiring full control of Olmix from its current majority stakeholders: investment firms Motion Equity Partners and Amadéite (the holding vehicle of Olmix founder Hervé Balusson). While the exact financial parameters of the deal remain strictly confidential under the exclusivity agreement, the transaction represents one of the most significant animal health acquisitions of the year, so far.

Genetics Giant with Algal Biotech

The acquisition is a highly complementary addition to EW Group’s massive life sciences holding matrix, which spans more than 300 independent subsidiaries and dominates global poultry and aquaculture genetics (through industry giants Aviagen and Lohmann). 

By integrating Olmix, EW Group builds an insulated, high-margin dual engine within its animal nutrition vertical.

Algae Advantage: Inside Olmix’s Biosourced Portfolio

Founded in 1993 in Brittany, France—a region famous for its marine biodiversity—Olmix has spent three decades engineering premium natural alternatives to traditional chemical inputs and veterinary antibiotics. The company’s business is anchored by two highly profitable divisions:

Animal Care Division (Animal BU) – crown jewel of Olmix’s portfolio is its extraction technology for Specific Marine Polysaccharides (MSP®)—complex, sulfated sugars harvested from green, red, and brown seaweeds. These targeted molecules act as natural immunomodulators and gut-barrier enhancers.

In livestock and aquaculture production, Olmix’s finished formulations are highly sought after to combat mycotoxins, stabilize gut microflora, and significantly optimize Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR) without relying on traditional antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs). This portfolio was heavily expanded in late 2023 through Olmix’s strategic acquisition of Brazilian yeast-biotech specialist Yes Sinergy

Plant Care Division (Plant BU) – Olmix utilizes its marine biotechnologies to manufacture specialized foliar biostimulants, soil conditioners, and natural seed treatments. This division was strengthened through the 2023 acquisition of French biotech firm Bois Valor, positioning Olmix to capture high-value markets focused on reducing chemical nitrogen and pesticide reliance

Expanding Footprints across Global Growth Hotspots

The acquisition immediately expands EW Group’s footprint in the natural animal nutrition segment—the fastest-growing category in global agriculture, currently growing at double-digit CAGR due to strict international crackdowns on antibiotic residues. Olmix brings an active commercial infrastructure spanning more than 100 countries:

• The Asia-Pacific Corridor (India & Southeast Asia): Olmix maintains a strong commercial presence across India and ASEAN nations. Its specialized biological lines are heavily integrated into shrimp aquaculture systems (combining with EW Group’s existing aquatic genetics business) to defend against aggressive pathogens like White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)

• The European Stronghold: Olmix’s operations align perfectly with the European Union’s strict regulatory mandates, specifically supporting producers racing to meet the “Farm to Fork” target of cutting veterinary antibiotic sales in half by 2030.

EW Group & Olmix

AHI Opinion

This merger is a decisive win for EW Group as by securing Olmix’s extensive patent library and deep seaweed processing capacity, EW Group is transitionining its portfolio away from basic supply chain genetics into a vertically integrated, natural “One Health” powerhouse capable of feeding the next generation of global livestock sustainably.