Private equity firm PAI Partners has entered into an agreement to acquire animal feed additives producer Innovad from IK Partners, another private equity firm.
PAI will acquire its stake from the IK IX Fund. The Innovad management team, led by CEO Ben Letor, will reinvest as part of the transaction.
Innovad is a supplier of animal health and nutrition solutions, offering a wide range of specialty additives, which mainly focus on the poultry, ruminant and swine species. The group has developed a diversified, well-positioned portfolio of products, focusing on high-value applications that support a range of health outcomes, such as gut health, mycotoxins control management and immunity.
Headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, Innovad serves a diverse range of 900 customers across 75 countries. It operates six production facilities, supported by a combination of in-house manufacturing in Belgium, Brazil and Italy, as well as tolling partners in Switzerland and Italy.
Under the ownership of IK since 2021, Innovad has developed significantly, delivering double-digit revenue growth by expanding into primary ingredients, adopting a solutions-driven approach and entering strategic markets. The group’s transformation journey with IK includes the successful launch of a disruptive biomonitoring tool for toxins control and the completion and integration of three acquisitions that have strengthened its competitive position, enhanced its expertise, most notably in the phytogenic segment, and expanded its direct presence across key markets.
PAI intends to build on this growth momentum by supporting Innovad’s transformation journey and further establishing the company as a leader in the attractive specialty animal feed additives market. This includes accelerating organic growth, pursuing strategic acquisitions, and building a solid platform to continue the group’s expansion.
“Our journey alongside IK and the entire Innovad Group team has been a notable navigation, culminating in achievements we are very proud of,” Letor said. “We are excited to continue building on our solid fundamentals, progressive company culture and care for our clients’ needs and challenges. We feel very honored to have earned the trust of PAI and we believe that this new partnership, with its fresh perspective and skills, will enrich and support our ambition and impactful projects moving forward.”
“We are delighted to partner with Ben Letor and the Innovad management team to support the group in its next phase of growth,” said Gaëlle d’Engremont and Julie Gautier, partners at PAI, in a joint statement. “Innovad has established itself as a fast-growing, global challenger in specialty animal feed additives – we look forward to accelerating this transformation, drawing on our significant experience in establishing food and consumer businesses as global leaders, particularly in the ingredients and animal nutrition space, where we have a proven track record.”
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
