Azelis Expands Footprint in Italy Through Acquisition of ACEF, Enhancing Portfolio and Technical Capabilities

Azelis has acquired 100% of Azienda Chimica e Farmaceutica (ACEF), a distributor of speciality raw materials and ingredients for the cosmetic, nutraceutical, galenic and pharma industries in Italy. The acquisition strengthens Azelis's footprint in Italy and provides customers with access to a broader combined portfolio, wider technical capabilities and market-specific expertise. Principals will benefit from partnering with a distributor with unparalleled customer reach and the ability to develop wider applications for their products. ACEF operates three laboratories for technical support and quality control, as well as GMP-compliant facilities for pharmaceutical ingredients.

Azelis, a global innovation service provider in the speciality chemicals and food ingredients industry, has acquired 100% of the shares of Azienda Chimica e Farmaceutica (ACEF), a distributor of specialty raw materials and ingredients for the cosmetic, nutraceutical, galenic, and pharma industries in Italy. The acquisition, announced on July 9, 2025, significantly expands Azelis's footprint in Italy and strengthens its position as an industry leader in the relevant end markets [1][2][3].

ACEF, founded in 1940 in Piacenza, operates three laboratories for technical support and quality control, as well as GMP-compliant facilities for pharmaceutical ingredients. Its subsidiary, Arda Natura, specializes in plant extracts and other natural products. ACEF is recognized in the local market for its broad product and service offering tailored to over 4,000 customers in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, galenic products, and nutraceutical markets [1][2][3].

Customers will benefit from access to a broader combined portfolio, as well as wider technical capabilities and market-specific expertise. Principals will gain from partnering with a distributor with unparalleled customer reach and the ability to develop wider applications for their products, thereby continuously expanding the market for them [1][2][3].

Alberto Piombi, President, and Emilio Zavattoni, CEO and Head of Administration & Finance at ACEF, commented, "We recognize the high-quality solutions that Azelis provides to its principals and customers, so joining forces is an exciting opportunity for ACEF. With our laboratory capabilities and tailor-made services, we look forward to adding our talents to those of the Azelis teams, leveraging our combined skills to reinforce our position as a leading distributor and bring the best solutions to our customers" [1][2][3].

Marco Gerosa, Managing Director at Azelis Italy, added, "We are pleased to welcome ACEF to the Azelis group, bringing together skilled teams and creating opportunities for people to grow. We continuously strive to deliver innovation through formulation, and ACEF’s value proposition fits perfectly with our objective. The addition of their portfolio and technical capabilities reinforces our footprint in the personal care and galenic markets and expands our pharmaceutical and nutraceutical offerings. This acquisition is another demonstration of our commitment to our purpose of enabling our customers to win and our principals to grow" [1][2][3].

References

1. [Azelis Strengthens Its Footprint in Italy With the Acquisition of Azienda Chimica e Farmaceutica (ACEF)](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202507090100BIZWIRE_USPRX____20250708_BW728891-1)
2. [Azelis Strengthens Its Footprint in Italy With the Acquisition of Azienda Chimica e Farmaceutica (ACEF)](https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/azelis-strengthens-its-footprint-italy-acquisition-azienda-chimica-e-farmaceutica)
3. [Azelis Strengthens Its Footprint in Italy With the Acquisition of Azienda Chimica e Farmaceutica (ACEF)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250708728891/en/Azelis-Strengthens-Its-Footprint-in-Italy-With-the-Acquisition-of-Azienda-Chimica-e-Farmaceutica-ACEF)