Brenntag Acquires PIC and PharmaSpecial to Expand its Footprint in Brazil

Brenntag, a global frontrunner in the distribution of chemicals and ingredients, has announced the strategic acquisition of PIC Química e Farmacêutica Ltda. (PIC) and PharmaSpecial Especialidades Químicas e Farmacêuticas Ltda. (PharmaSpecial) in Brazil. This move substantially strengthens Brenntag's foothold in the burgeoning Life Science sector within the region. PIC and PharmaSpecial, both well-established family-owned entities, specialize in distributing specialty chemicals to major clients and national compounding pharmacies across the Pharma, Personal Care, and broader Life Science industries.

Brenntag Specialties’ acquisition of PIC Química e Farmacêutica Ltda. and PharmaSpecial Especialidades Químicas e Farmacêuticas Ltda. in Latin America not only enhances its regional footprint but also presents a strategic opportunity to broaden its global network of Application & Innovation Centers. This expansion will facilitate the development of cutting-edge solutions and foster closer collaboration with clients. Moreover, Brenntag gains a significant entry into the soft gel capsule market, opening new avenues for growth and innovation in this sector.

Torsten Walz, Global President Pharma at Brenntag Specialties, highlighted the strategic alignment between PIC and PharmaSpecial’s offerings with Brenntag's global Pharma strategy. He noted that their extensive portfolio of top-tier suppliers and value-added services complements Brenntag’s objectives. Walz expressed enthusiasm for building upon this strong foundation to drive further growth and expansion in the region, reinforcing Brenntag's commitment to enhancing their pharmaceutical business.

François Bleger, Global President Beauty & Care at Brenntag Specialties, expressed his enthusiasm for integrating new colleagues into their team. He emphasized the company's ambition to enhance their presence in Latin America, improve customer service, and broaden their value-added services capabilities. Bleger highlighted that this transaction represents a significant advancement toward achieving these goals, marking a pivotal moment in Brenntag's strategic expansion efforts.

Established in 1991 and based in Itapevi, Brazil, the two companies reported sales of around 11 million EUR for 2023. The financial specifics of the transaction remain confidential. The deal's completion is contingent on standard conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2024. PharmaSpecial Especialidades Químicas e Farmacêuticas Ltda. (PharmaSpecial) has a versatile range of products in its portfolio such as Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, and many more.

Fabio Morais, CEO of PIC and PharmaSpecial, expressed his enthusiasm about joining Brenntag, viewing it as a significant opportunity to expand on their existing achievements. He noted that the merger will enable their dedicated team to better serve regional customers by leveraging Brenntag’s global expertise and extensive network of Application & Innovation Centers. Morais highlighted that this integration will provide their supply partners with a broader global reach, and he is eager to see the positive developments and future prospects that will arise from this collaboration.