Biolchim-Cifo acquires a majority stake in Ilsa

Biolchim-Cifo, a Bologna-based firm specialising in biostimulants, has acquired a 60% stake in the historic family business Ilsa of Arzignano (Vicenza), which operates in the organic fertiliser segment.

Together the two companies will form one of the world’s top ten groups in the field of sustainable chemicals for agriculture and gardening with a turnover of 115 million euros, 300 employees, 8 production facilities and 8 sales branches.

The synergy between the two companies will also lead to new developments in Brazil, where the group is planning to open a second facility in São Paulo to complement the Ilsa plant already operating at Porto Alegre.

In 2016 Biolchim-Cifo reported a turnover of 85 million euros (just under half of which was generated by exports) and an EBITDA of 16.4 million euros, and it had 210 employees. In 2015 it acquired a minority interest in the Canadian firm West Coast Marine Bio and in January a 70% stake in the Hungarian company Matécsa.