CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS | GENETICS AND ANIMAL HEALTH
The German poultry genetics giant — parent company of Lohmann, Aviagen, Hy-Line and EW Nutrition — strengthens its commitment to biologically sourced animal nutrition and health with the incorporation of the Breton group founded by Hervé Balusson
EW Group GmbH, the German conglomerate that owns some of the most influential brands in global poultry genetics — including Lohmann Breeders, Aviagen, Hy-Line International and EW Nutrition — has announced the launch of exclusive negotiations with a view to acquiring Olmix Group, a French company specialising in biological (naturally sourced) solutions for animal and plant health.
Olmix, headquartered in Bréhan (Brittany, France), is a multinational that develops, manufactures and distributes high-value-added biosourced solutions for livestock farming and agriculture, based primarily on the use of marine algae. Through its ranges of finished products and ingredients, the company is a regular supplier to livestock farmers, distributors and agricultural input manufacturers at an international scale, with a clear positioning in the space of smart and sustainable agriculture.
Continuity and acceleration as an independent company
The transaction, whose financial terms have not been made public, is structured as an integration of Olmix into the group while maintaining its identity as an autonomous company, operating alongside EW Nutrition.
“We are delighted that Olmix Group has entered into exclusive negotiations with EW Group, which shares our same values. This project would guarantee a positive long-term future for the Olmix team and lay the foundations for excellent prospects for the future development of the business”, said Hervé Balusson, founder of Olmix and owner of Amadéite.
On behalf of the selling fund, Patrick Eisenchteter, of Motion Equity Partners, underscored the continuity of the project, highlighting that it had been a pleasure working with the Olmix management team to grow internationally, and that they welcome EW Group’s commitment to continuing along that path.
From the buyer’s side, Jan Wesjohann, Managing Director of EW Group, highlighted the group’s intention to accelerate Olmix’s growth as an autonomous company within the group, alongside EW Nutrition, and expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming the Olmix team.
EW GROUP strengthens its commitment to nutrigenetics
Should the transaction be confirmed, it fits with a clear dual trend: poultry genetics, to perform at 100%, requires the best possible nutrition, and good nutrition requires excellent genetics to shine to its fullest. It is an increasingly inseparable combination. At the same time, major animal genetics and nutrition groups are extending their scope towards biologically sourced nutritional and health solutions — functional additives, phytogenics, seaweed-based solutions, etc. — in a context of growing regulatory pressure on antibiotics and increasing demand for tools that support productivity without compromising welfare or sustainability.
The integration of Olmix into EW Group would strengthen the German group’s capabilities in a field — that of natural solutions for farms and fields — that has been gaining weight in the purchasing decisions of integrators and distributors across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Within the framework of the future partnership, the parties have committed to investment in new technologies, R&D and the expansion of Olmix’s international operations, in line with EW Group’s operating principles.
For more information:
-. News on EW GROUP
-. OLMIX CSR Report 2025
-. Company news at NeXusAvicultura
-. Mergers and acquisitions in poultry
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