Already a leader in the nutritional lipids industry, DSM supplemented its market hold by acquiring omega-3 fatty acid leader in Ocean Nutrition, the company announced on May 18^th.

DSM’s acquisition capitalizes on a market already well-established by strong scientific backing of nutritional lipids, while also offering significant growth opportunity for the foreseeable future. Ocean Nutrition Canada is the world’s largest supplier of fish-derived Omega-3 fatty acids to the dietary supplement and food and beverage markets.

The global infrastructure already established by DSM will allow for the expansion of Ocean Nutrition Canada’s outside of North America. Martin Jamieson, president and CEO of Ocean Nutrition Canada, said, “In 15 short years the company has grown from start-up to global leader in fish oil derived Omega 3 and this acquisition by DSM, a leading international business with much greater scale and reach, is the logical next step in our evolution.”

In an all-cash acquisition valued at CAD 540 million, or about €420 million, DSM plans to improve upon the annual growth of nearly 20% that Ocean Nutrition Canada has averaged over the past five years.

By acquiring Ocean Nutrition Canada, DSM completes its fifth nutrition acquisition since September 2010. This further promotes DSM to the forefront of the health, nutrition, and materials and bolsters an already impressive portfolio.

Feike Sijbesma, CEO and chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said, “After our successful acquisition of Martek in 2011, the acquisition of Ocean Nutrition Canada is the logical next step in developing our Nutritional Lipids into a major growth platform for our Nutrition cluster. Our science-based knowledge and expertise in nutritional ingredients will help to further grow Ocean Nutrition Canada’s business as part of DSM.”

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, July 2012 (online 5/21/12)