Activ International flavors
Active International offers a range of natural and organic flavors, marine extracts, seafood and vegetable-based culinary systems.

VERNIER, SWITZERLAND — Givaudan has acquired Activ International, which offers a range of natural and organic flavors, marine extracts, seafood and vegetable-based culinary systems.

Gilles Andrier, Givaudan
Gilles Andrier, c.e.o. of Givaudan

“This acquisition fits with our 2020 strategy to expand our offering to deliver natural products to our customers,” said Gilles Andrier, chief executive officer of Switzerland-based Givaudan, when the deal was announced Jan. 17. “Givaudan is the global leader in the space of natural flavors, and Activ further complements our capabilities with its strong portfolio of natural meat, seafood and vegetable flavors.

“We are delighted to welcome Activ’s employees to Givaudan. Our high cultural fit will contribute greatly to a successful integration.”

Activ International, based in Bienne, Switzerland, employs 170 people globally and operates from locations in Somerset, N.J.; Melaka, Malaysia; Paris; and Arequipa, Peru. Activ International North America manufactures natural flavors, culinary flavors and enhanced savory flavors designed to deliver the authentic flavor profile of their raw materials: meat, poultry, seafood, vegetable or vegetarian.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Activ International’s business would have represented about 40 million Swiss francs ($40 million) of incremental sales to Givaudan’s results in 2016 on a pro forma basis. Givaudan plans to fund the transaction from existing resources.

Mauricio Graber, Givaudan
Mauricio Graber, president of Givaudan’s flavor division
“Consumers around the globe are increasingly demanding more natural and organic products from food and beverage companies,” said Mauricio Graber, president of Givaudan’s flavor division. “The addition of Activ’s product portfolio further enables Givaudan to strengthen our extensive natural flavor offerings and provide customers with complete and competitive natural solutions.”