Citing “people familiar with the matter”, Reuters states that the sale could be as much as $6 million. Carlyle acquired NBTY in 2010 for almost $4 billion.
The Carlyle Group declined to comment to NutraIngredients-USA on the report, while The Nature's Bounty Co did not respond to our request for comment.
Reuters suggests that the private equity firm may find ready buyers in China. Numerous nutrition and dietary supplement companies have been acquired by Chinese buyers in recent times, including: Xiamen Kingdomway Group Co. buying Doctor’s Best; Xiwang Foodstuffs Company Ltd buying Canadian company Iovate Health Sciences International Inc; Hong Kong-listed Biostime International acquiring Australia’s Swisse Wellness; while there was rumored interest in GNC Holdings Inc last year from Chinese buyers, but this has not developed further.