This strategic investment will allow to create a stronger leader, with an expanded global footprint, as well as an enriched offering of oral dosage solutions.

La Madeleine (France) and Yamatokoriyama, Nara (Japan) 24th October, 2023 – Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and pharmaceutical excipients, announced today the completion of the acquisition of Qualicaps from the Mitsubishi Chemical Group.

Qualicaps is a manufacturer of hard capsules and pharmaceutical related equipment and is the third largest producer of hard capsules for oral dosage solutions. The company is a renowned global player, relying on high-quality products and a strong innovation pipeline and has a workforce of 1,400 employees located in different sites in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Roquette is a family-owned global leader of plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. The company currently operates in more than 100 countries, has a turnover of around 5 billion euros, and, with this acquisition, employs around 10,000 people worldwide.

Expanding the global footprint in the pharma business

This strategic investment offers Roquette the ability to expand the global footprint of its pharmaceutical business, as well as enrich its offerings of oral dosage solutions. Roquette’s deep knowledge and expertise in the development of pharmaceutical excipients will be further enhanced by Qualicaps expertise in capsules, as well as by their assets and infrastructure.

Through this acquisition, Roquette aims at consolidating its leadership position to continue increasing its capability to serve the customers and the market with superior solutions and an expended choice. The newly combined business will offer the most diverse solutions with a full range of hard and soft capsules, fillers and binders, disintegrants and other solutions.

Common commitments and ambition

Qualicaps makes an ideal addition to Roquette thanks to its shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and regulatory compliance. Its global footprint, with manufacturing and R&D sites in Japan, Spain, Romania, Canada, the USA, and Brazil, will allow Roquette to expand its presence and be closer to its customers and markets.

Together, Roquette and Qualicaps will continue to offer high quality, highly regarded products and services, and also technical capabilities through a single point of contact for its expanded offering. This will provide customers with an improved level of service, and access to a stronger technical base for the development of future solutions and innovations.

On the occasion of this announcement, Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette, said: “This acquisition is a key milestone in our journey to reinforce our global leadership in pharmaceutical solutions, and to consolidate our position in nutrition and health markets. Thanks to our combined workforce, we will continue to grow our business through collaboration with our customers, and to bring our expertise and innovation to all stages of pharmaceutical development.”

Seiichiro Matsumura, CEO of Qualicaps, said: “Today marks a pivotal moment in Qualicaps' journey. Partnering with Roquette, a renowned global leader in pharmaceutical excipients, marks the beginning of a transformative era of growth and innovation for our company. Together, we are poised to lead innovation, enrich our product portfolio, and deliver greater value to our global customer and stakeholder base. This partnership is an important step forward in our commitment to advancing healthcare solutions worldwide.”

About Roquette “Improving well-being by offering the best of nature”

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Founded in 1933, the company currently operates in more than 100 countries, has a turnover of around 5 billion euros, and employs more than 8,000 people worldwide. From raw materials of natural origin, we enable a whole new plant protein cuisine; we offer pharmaceutical solutions that play a key role in medical treatments; and we develop innovative ingredients for food, nutrition and health markets. We unlock the potential of nature to improve, cure and save lives.

Thanks to a constant drive for innovation and a long-term vision, we are committed to improving the well- being of people all over the world. We put sustainable development at the heart of our concerns, while taking care of resources and territories. We are determined to create a better and healthier future for all generations.


Media Contacts

Roquette
Eduardo Menchaca
eduardo.menchaca@roquette.com

Roquette Pharma Solutions 
Sally Khalvati 
sally.khalvati@roquette.com

Oxygen Agency
roquette@oxygen-rp.com
+33 6 07 28 69 43

BDB Agency 
roquette@bdb.co.uk
+44 161 925 4700