AgroPages-Biolchim acquires Canadian seaweed extract manufacturer-Agricultural news

The Italian group Biolchim Spa has strengthen ties with Canadian seaweed extract manufacturer West Coast Marine Bio Processing by acquiring a minority stake in the company. The transaction is part of a broader deal that will see Biolchim building on the relationship with a key ingredient manufacturer and West Coast Marine Bio Processing benefiting from a growing worldwide distribution network.

West Coast Marine Bio Processing, founded in 2002 and based in the pacific coast of Canada, harvests and processes Macrocystis, seaweed that grows along the coasts of British Columbia. The company uses a proprietary cold process to produce the organic fertilizer Kelpgrow and extracts for the skin care industry.

The recently acquired Cifo Spa has since 2006 tested the superiority and the efficacy of the product manufactured by West Coast Marine Bio Processing. Acknowledging its exclusivity based on the species of seaweed Macrocystis and the unique manufacturing process, Cifo Spa has developed an extensive line of products led by Macys BC.

Key factors that paved the way to the high added value of the agreement have been:

• a research and development plan that has been in place for nearly 2 years and is focused on both companies developing new products based on the Macrocystis extract;

• a marketing and sales plan to develop the Macys line and bring it to market worldwide;

• a marketing and sales cooperation and a European logistic platform to bring Kelpgrow to all countries currently covered by the Biolchim sales network.

Both Leonardo Valenti, CEO of Biolchim and Stefano Urbani, CEO of West Coast Marine Bio Processing acknowledge that their reciprocal esteem has been paramount to the forming of a strategic vision that will enhance the reciprocal benefits of this agreement.