Key Takeaway:
- Ambienta completes its first sustainable agriculture investment with the acquisition of Agronova Biotech
- Agronova is a leader in biological crop solutions, supporting farmers with over 800 products
- Deal expands Ambienta’s presence into Spain, a key market for biological agriculture
- Agronova addresses major environmental concerns including agrochemical overuse and soil degradation
- Ambienta aims to drive further growth through organic expansion and strategic M&A
Ambienta’s Strategic Entry into Sustainable Agriculture
Ambienta SGR S.p.A., a leading European environmental sustainability-focused asset manager, has announced the acquisition of Agronova Biotech, a Spanish biotechnology company specializing in biological crop solutions. This marks Ambienta’s first investment in both the sustainable agriculture sector and the Spanish market, underlining the firm’s commitment to sustainability and its growing pan-European presence.
Founded over 50 years ago, Agronova has built a robust portfolio of over 800 biostimulant and biocontrol products that help farmers manage biotic (e.g., pests, fungi) and abiotic (e.g., droughts, flooding) stressors. With five labs and six production facilities, the company operates across Europe and the Americas, offering scalable solutions to reduce reliance on traditional agrochemicals.
Capitalizing on a Fast-Growing Market
The global biosolutions market, currently valued at $21 billion, is growing at an 11% annual rate—three times faster than traditional agricultural inputs. This growth is driven by:
- Climate pressures reducing crop yields (e.g., rainfall in Spain down 8% annually since 2018)
- Regulatory shifts and consumer demand favoring biological over chemical treatments
- Rising barriers to entry due to R&D intensity and complex approval processes
- Agronova’s scale, product breadth, and market reach position it as a strategic platform for further expansion via organic growth and acquisitions.
Addressing Environmental Pressures in Agriculture
Agriculture contributes to approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with chemical overuse damaging ecosystems and long-term productivity. Agronova’s offerings directly counter these challenges:
- Biocontrols replace synthetic pesticides with microbial solutions
- Organic fertilizers reduce dependency on chemical-based nutrients
- Biostimulants enhance nutrient absorption and minimize fertilizer use
By reducing pollution and enhancing soil health, Agronova supports more resilient and sustainable farming practices.
Ambienta and Agronova’s Leadership Perspectives and Next Steps
Mauro Roversi, Ambienta’s Chief Investment Officer, commented: “This acquisition bears a double significance for Ambienta. We’re entering a highly promising sector with sustainability at its core and expanding into Spain, a new and important geography for us.”
Olivier Lavaud, CEO of Agronova, added: “We share a strong commitment to helping farmers shift toward sustainable practices. With Ambienta’s backing, we are ready to scale our impact and capabilities.”
Ambienta was advised by Alantra, Latham & Watkins, Roland Berger, and KPMG.
Ambienta’s Outlook
This acquisition positions Ambienta as a serious player in the biological agriculture space, and adds a proven, innovation-driven asset to its sustainability investment platform. As climate challenges and environmental regulation reshape global agriculture, Ambienta and Agronova are poised to lead in delivering sustainable solutions to farmers across Europe and beyond.
