Ardabelle Capital, a private equity firm dedicated to supporting the transition toward a sustainable and resilient economy, announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Plymag, a leading European player in biostimulants and crop nutrition. Sofiprotéol and Capagro are joining the transaction as minority shareholders. This first structuring transaction marks a key milestone in Ardabelle Capital’s strategy, whose ambition is to strengthen resilience and reduce the carbon footprint of essential value chains, particularly in the agri-food sector.
Founded in 1978, Plymag has established itself as a benchmark in the development of algae-based agricultural solutions, thanks to proprietary know-how and a differentiated technological positioning. The company benefits from a patented natural extraction process, strong research and development capabilities, and a fully integrated industrial model, from algae harvesting to the commercialization of finished products.
With double-digit growth since 2010, Plymag now represents a particularly attractive platform in the biological inputs market. Its portfolio—biostimulants, specialized crop nutrition solutions and biological crop protection products—stands out for its agronomic performance, controlled environmental impact and exclusive algae-based technology. The group also enjoys a strong international presence in Europe and Latin America, supported by close relationships with local agricultural ecosystems.
Commercially present in more than 30 countries and with subsidiaries in Portugal, Chile, Colombia and Peru, Plymag combines scientific excellence, product performance and a strong commitment to sustainability. Its solutions directly contribute to improving soil health, optimizing agricultural inputs and helping farms adapt to climate change.
After more than forty years of independent development, the founding family has chosen Ardabelle Capital to support the group’s next phase of growth. Alongside Sofiprotéol and Capagro, which bring complementary expertise and a strong foothold within the European agri-food sector, Ardabelle will support an ambitious development plan combining organic growth and international external growth.
Strategic priorities include accelerating international expansion, strengthening commercial capabilities, investing in R&D, building a robust scientific data infrastructure and reinforcing vertical integration. These levers will enable Plymag to expand its range of high-performance sustainable solutions as alternatives to conventional inputs, while supporting farmers in addressing climatic and economic challenges.
Aligned with the principles of regenerative agriculture and the objectives to reduce Scope 3 emissions across the agri-food value chain, Plymag is intended to become a cornerstone of a European biosolutions platform, contributing to the emergence of more resilient, circular and nature-based agricultural models.
Vivianne Akriche, Founder and CIO of Ardabelle Capital: “Plymag has built a remarkable growth trajectory by placing innovation at the heart of its development, particularly in the field of biosolutions. A leader in algae-based solutions in Spain, the company has also strengthened its presence across numerous international markets beyond the Iberian Peninsula. We are delighted to support José Luis Montañés and his teams in amplifying Plymag’s environmental impact and international reach. This transaction fully aligns with Ardabelle’s ambition to foster the emergence of European champions in sustainable agriculture.”
Luc Ozanne, Partner at Sofiprotéol: “We are very pleased to partner with Ardabelle Capital and Capagro to support Plymag, a key player in the transition toward more sustainable agriculture. Thanks to its integrated model, expertise and geographic footprint, Plymag has all the assets required to accelerate its development and deliver solutions tailored to the challenges of resilient agriculture. As a long-term investor, Sofiprotéol is fully committed to supporting companies that contribute to agricultural, food and environmental transitions.”
Tom Espiard-Cignaco, Chief Executive Officer of Capagro: “Capagro is delighted to join Ardabelle and Sofiprotéol in supporting Plymag’s next phase of growth. Plymag’s entry into our ecosystem strengthens Capagro’s positioning in biosolutions dedicated to low-carbon agriculture. Its proven product portfolio and strong growth momentum make it a benchmark player. We look forward to leveraging our network of agri-food partners to support its development projects and to further our mission of promoting sustainable agriculture and healthier food.”
Carlos Feliu, Fernando Feliu and Ana Feliu, Plymag founding family: “In a context of strong international expansion, we were looking for a partner capable of fully supporting Plymag’s potential. Ardabelle Capital brings decisive strategic, industrial and environmental expertise, as well as a strong network within the agri-food value chain. After more than fifty years of developing Plymag, it was essential for us to choose a partner who shares our values, culture and long-term vision. Ardabelle’s commitment to culture, sustainable development and a long-term perspective makes it the ideal partner to strengthen our global leadership in an increasingly competitive environment.”
About Plymag
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Pego (Alicante, Spain), Plymag is a leading player in the development and production of agricultural solutions, with recognized expertise in biostimulants, crop nutrition and biological crop protection.
A specialist in algae-based solutions, Plymag relies on a patented, solvent-free natural extraction process that differentiates the company and enables it to hold the leading market share in Spain within this segment. The group controls its entire value chain through an integrated industrial model, from raw material processing to formulation and commercialization of its solutions.
With a commercial presence in more than 30 countries, Plymag operates subsidiaries in Portugal, Chile, Colombia and Peru, as well as a production facility in Spain. This organization allows the company to sustainably support farmers in improving agronomic performance, soil health and adaptation to climate change.
Learn more: www.plymag.com/?lang=en
About Ardabelle Capital
Ardabelle Capital is an independent private equity firm dedicated to supporting the transition toward a sustainable and resilient economy. It relies on a team of experienced partners combining private equity, operational and sustainability expertise, with a strong ability to transform companies and create long-term value.
Ardabelle Capital invests in mid-sized industrial, services and technology companies with strong international growth potential. With the value chain at the core of its strategy and a strong ecosystem of industrial partners, sector experts and sustainability specialists, Ardabelle invests to support the emergence of responsible European champions.
Learn more: www.ardabelle.com
About Sofiprotéol
Founded in 1983 at the initiative of the agricultural sector, Sofiprotéol, the financing and development arm of the Avril Group, supports companies in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. Serving food and environmental transitions, Sofiprotéol acts as a long-term partner, supporting companies across the value chain, particularly by strengthening their equity base during development operations or investments aimed at enhancing competitiveness.
From debt financing to equity investments, Sofiprotéol’s financial solutions are based on an industrial and entrepreneurial approach and support development and innovation at all stages of the value chain: from upstream agricultural production (seeds, biosolutions, nutrition, etc.) to downstream agri-food processing and food service.
Learn more: www.sofiproteol.com
About Capagro
Capagro is the leading independent European venture capital and growth equity fund fully dedicated to AgTech and FoodTech innovations. With more than €260 million in assets under management and the backing of major agri-food players and institutional investors, Capagro supports innovative companies across the entire agri-food value chain.
The fund supports the deployment of high-impact technologies, from precision agriculture to sustainable food solutions, with the aim of accelerating the transition toward more efficient, responsible and resilient agricultural models.
Learn more: capagro.fr
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