Key Takeaways
- Ardabelle Capital has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Plymag, a European biostimulants and crop nutrition company.
- Sofiprotéol and Capagro will join the transaction as minority shareholders.
- Plymag will remain operationally independent, with the founding family supporting the next growth phase.
- The partnership targets international expansion, R&D strengthening, and vertical integration.
- The deal aligns with broader efforts to scale biosolutions supporting resilient and low-carbon agriculture.
Ardabelle Capital Takes Majority Stake in Seaweed-Based Biosolutions Leader Plymag
Ardabelle Capital, a private equity firm focused on accelerating the transition toward a sustainable and resilient economy, has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Plymag, a European company specializing in biostimulants, specialized nutrition, and biological crop protection. Sofiprotéol and Capagro will participate in the transaction as minority shareholders.
Founded in 1978, Plymag has built a strong position in seaweed-based agricultural technologies, supported by proprietary extraction processes, vertically integrated operations, and in-house R&D capabilities. The company operates across more than 30 countries, with subsidiaries in Portugal, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, and maintains long-standing relationships within regional agricultural ecosystems in Europe and Latin America.
The transaction marks a key milestone in Ardabelle Capital’s strategy to strengthen essential agrifood supply chains through decarbonization and resilience-focused investments.
Plymag’s Platform and Market Position
Plymag’s business model spans the full value chain, from algae harvesting through formulation and final distribution. Its portfolio includes biostimulants, specialized nutrition products, and biological crop protection solutions designed to improve soil health, input efficiency, and crop resilience.
The company has recorded double-digit growth since 2010 and is widely recognized for the agronomic performance and environmental profile of its products. According to the investors, Plymag’s solutions are aligned with regenerative agriculture principles and Scope 3 emissions reduction objectives across the food and agriculture value chain.
Ardabelle Capital Backs Global Expansion and Buy-and-Build Strategy
With Ardabelle Capital as its new majority shareholder, Plymag plans to pursue an ambitious growth strategy combining organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. Key priorities include accelerating international growth, unlocking new commercial opportunities, strengthening R&D capabilities, developing a robust scientific data infrastructure, and deepening vertical integration.
These initiatives are intended to expand Plymag’s portfolio of biosolutions as high-performance alternatives to conventional agricultural inputs, while supporting growers’ adaptation to climate variability.
Vivianne Akriche, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Ardabelle Capital, said the acquisition reflects the firm’s commitment to building European leaders in sustainable agriculture. She highlighted Plymag’s innovation track record and international momentum as central to the investment rationale.
Support From Long-Term Agri-Food Investors
Sofiprotéol and Capagro cited Plymag’s integrated model, geographic reach, and biosolutions expertise as key factors in their participation. Both firms emphasized the role of biological inputs in supporting low-carbon and resilient agricultural systems and indicated they would contribute sector knowledge and networks to support Plymag’s next phase of development.
The Plymag founding family stated that Ardabelle Capital was selected for its strategic, industrial, and sustainability expertise, as well as its alignment with the company’s culture and long-term vision. The family will remain involved as the company scales its international footprint.
