DSM To Acquire Martek

Royal DSM N.V will acquire Martek Biosciences Corporation for $1.08 biliion. The agreed price represents a premium of 35% to Martek’s closing share price of US$23.36 on December 20, 2010, and 39% to the volume weighted average closing price of Martek’s common stock over the last 90 days. The transaction has been approved by DSM’s supervisory board and is recommended by Martek’s board. Subject to customary conditions, the tender process is expected to close in February 2011, and the transaction is expected to close in the first or second quarter of 2011.

The purchase is the first major acquisition by DSM after its transformation into a Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company.


According to DSM, the transaction is fully in line with its strategy for its Nutrition cluster “and adds a new growth platform for healthy and natural food ingredients for infant formula and other food and beverage applications, especially focused on Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) such as microbial Omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and Omega-6 ARA
(arachidonic acid).


Martek is a great company and a leader in the innovation, development, production and sale of high-value products from microbial sources that promote health and wellness through nutrition,” said Feike Sijbesma, CEO and chairman of the DSM managing board. “DSM has enormous respect for Martek’s products, organization and people. We look forward to working with their highly skilled team.


“This acquisition is an attractive and logical next step for DSM. Martek’s leading position in healthy, natural ingredients and algal technology will add a new growth platform to our Nutrition business. DSM is a unique partner for Martek and, with our strong track record of growing businesses in competitive environments, we believe we can help to lift Martek to the next level.”


More info: www.dsm.com