French plant-based ingredients giant Roquette Frères S.A. has filed for regulatory approval with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for its proposed acquisition of the Pharma Solutions business and select product lines from the Nourish segment of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF).
The deal, classified as a share acquisition under Section 5(a) of the Competition Act, 2002, aims to expand Roquette’s footprint in the pharmaceutical excipients and plant-based ingredient sector. The Target Business, currently part of IFF, includes key products such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), croscarmellose sodium (CCS), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)—critical excipients used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
While Roquette is already active in India through subsidiaries like Crest Cellulose Pvt. Ltd., Sethness-Roquette India Ltd., and Roquette India Pvt. Ltd., the Target Business operates via Danisco Nutrition and Biosciences India Pvt. Ltd.
The proposed transaction presents horizontal overlaps in MCC and CCS supply and a vertical linkage between the supply of HPMC excipients and HPMC-based hard capsules in India. However, Roquette asserts that the deal will not lead to any significant competition concerns.
CCI’s scrutiny will determine whether the acquisition impacts market competition in India’s pharma excipient space. If approved, the deal could strengthen Roquette’s position in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sector, potentially enhancing its global supply chain capabilities, industry observers said.
