Press release from the Competition Council regarding the economic concentration project concerning the acquisition of exclusive control of the animal nutrition and health activity of DSM-Firmenich AG by Specialty Bidco B.V., Specialty (U.S.) Bidco, Inc., Essential Bidco B.V. and Essential (U.S.) Bidco, Inc., vehicles managed and/or advised by CVC Fund IX

In accordance with Article 13 of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition and Article 10 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for its implementation, as amended and supplemented, the Competition Council makes available to the public the « operation summary » below, containing the information provided by the parties.

This information has been prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. Any inaccurate or distorted information contained therein does not in any way prejudge the Competition Council’s position on the proposed operation.

The publication of this press release does not attest to the completeness of the file provided for in Article 9 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for the implementation of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition as amended and supplemented.

Names of the companies and groups involved:

• The acquirers: “Specialty Bidco B.V., Specialty (U.S.) Bidco, Inc., Essential Bidco B.V. and Essential (U.S.) Bidco, Inc.”, vehicles managed and/or advised by CVC Fund IX by CVC Fund IX.
• The target: Animal Nutrition and Health Activity (“ ANH Activity “) of “DSM-Firmenich AG”.
• The seller: The company “DSM-Firmenich AG”.

Nature of the operation:

• Acquisition of exclusive control

Economic sectors concerned:

• Animal feed ingredients.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their observations:

• 10 days from the date of publication of this press release, i.e. April 20, 2026.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY PROVIDED BY THE PARTIES

 The Competition Council has received notification of an economic concentration project concerning the acquisition of exclusive control of the Animal Nutrition and Health Activity of DSM-Firmenich AG by Specialty Bidco B.V., Specialty (U.S.) Bidco, Inc., Essential Bidco B.V. and Essential (U.S.) Bidco, Inc., vehicles managed and/or advised by CVC Fund IX.

Specialty Bidco B.V. is a company established under the laws of the Netherlands, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 99074737 and headquartered at Schiphol Boulevard 369, 1118 BJ Schiphol, Netherlands.

Specialty (U.S.) Bidco, Inc. is a company established under the laws of Delaware, registered under number 10489903 and headquartered at Suite 302, 4001 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware 19807.

Essential Bidco B.V. is a company established under the laws of the Netherlands, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 99209373 and headquartered at Schiphol Boulevard 369, 1118 BJ Schiphol, Netherlands.

Essential (U.S.) Bidco, Inc. is a company established under the laws of Delaware, registered under number 10489911 and headquartered at Suite 302, 4001 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware 19807.

These are newly established investment vehicles that are indirectly controlled by CVC Fund IX, a fund managed and advised by subsidiaries of CVC plc, a company established under the laws of Jersey, registered under number 140080 and headquartered at Level 1, IFC 1, Esplanade St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3BX. CVC plc and some of its subsidiaries occasionally provide investment advice and/or manage investments on behalf of certain funds and investment vehicles (the “CVC Funds”). The CVC Funds hold stakes in several companies operating in various sectors worldwide, including financial services, chemicals, utilities, manufacturing, retail, and distribution, in Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Specialty Bidco B.V., Specialty (U.S.) Bidco, Inc., Essential Bidco B.V. and Essential (U.S.) Bidco, Inc. have no activity in Morocco. The CVC Funds are active in the country through several companies operating in various sectors.

DSM-Firmenich AG is established under the laws of Switzerland, registered under number CHE441853769. It is a global producer of animal feed ingredients. The targeted ANH Activity falls under five main business sectors: (i) Essential Products (vitamins and carotenoids), (ii) Performance Solutions, (iii) Premixes, (iv) Precision Services, and (v) Aromatic Ingredients.

Before the closing and subject to ongoing consultation procedures with employee representative bodies, the Seller will split the ANH Activity into two separate and independently managed businesses: EssentialCo Business and SpecialtyCo Business. As of the closing, CVC Fund IX will acquire indirect exclusive control of EssentialCo Business and SpecialtyCo Business.

 

Done in Rabat on April 9, 2026.