It said the move was about it focusing on its recent high-end omega-3 acquisitions of Scottish firm Equateq in 2012, (now BASF Pharma Callanish (undisclosed)) and Norwegian high-end plyer Pronova Biopharma in 2013 (€684m).
“Highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids for consumer health, clinical nutrition and pharmaceutical products are one of the key growth areas for BASF’s Nutrition & Health division,” the company said in a statement.
Although the omega-3 segment has hit some headwinds in markets such as the US due to the publication of studies that questioned its health benefits, the segment is worth upwards of €20bn globally in supplements, foods and pharma products and still growing on a global level.
BASF said: “Thanks to increased awareness of its health benefits, omega-3 has become an increasingly important segment of the dietary supplement, functional food and pharmaceuticals market. Several thousand academic and clinical studies have investigated the potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Most of these studies identified omega-3 as beneficial for human health and highlighted its cardiovascular benefits.”
The company was unavailable for further comment at the time of publication.
Marine Ingredients specialises in omega-3 softgel and liquid formulations.