Cotecna expands its organic certification reach with Suolo e Salute acquisition

Deal News | Apr 09, 2025 | Legal Community Italy

Cotecna expands its organic certification reach with Suolo e Salute acquisition

Cotecna Inspection SA has announced the acquisition of Suolo e Salute, a leading Italian entity in organic control and certification, marking a pivotal step in Cotecna's expansion strategy in the agri-food sector. This acquisition, authorized by Italy's Council of Ministers under the Golden Power regulations, enhances Cotecna's market position by focusing on certification, sustainability, and food safety. The deal allows Cotecna to reinforce its offerings in Italy, a vital market for organic products in Europe, and expand its international reach through its global network. Under the agreement, Suolo e Salute's organizational structure and management team will remain intact, ensuring operational continuity and maintaining its strong local presence. Legal advisory to Cotecna was provided by Ughi e Nunziante, with additional assistance from Studio Bogoni, handling various aspects from contract negotiations to regulatory and tax issues. Suolo e Salute’s sellers received legal and fiscal support from Professor Avv. Leonardo Zanetti and Studio Giannelli.

Sectors

  • Agri-food
  • Legal Services
  • Consulting Services

Geography

  • Italy – Italy is a key market for organic products in Europe, and Suolo e Salute is an Italian company.
  • Switzerland – Cotecna Inspection SA, the acquiring company, is based in Switzerland, indicating its strategic geographic reach into Italy.

Industry

  • Agri-food – Cotecna's acquisition of Suolo e Salute reinforces its commitment to the agri-food sector, focusing on organic certification and food safety.
  • Legal Services – The involvement of multiple legal parties like Ughi e Nunziante highlights the role of legal services in this acquisition process.
  • Consulting Services – The transaction relied on consulting services for regulatory compliance and financial structuring, emphasizing their importance in M&A activities.

Financials

    Participants

    NameRoleTypeDescription
    Cotecna Inspection SABuyerCompanyA Swiss-based company specializing in testing, inspection, and certification services.
    Suolo e SaluteTargetCompanyAn Italian entity known for organic control and certification services.
    Ughi e NunzianteLegal AdvisorCompanyProvided legal advisory services to Cotecna during the acquisition.
    Studio BogoniTax and Financial AdvisorCompanyHandled tax and financial structuring aspects of the deal for Cotecna.
    Prof. Avv. Leonardo ZanettiLegal Advisor for SellersPersonProvided legal advice to the sellers of Suolo e Salute.
    Studio GiannelliFinancial Advisor for SellersCompanyAssisted sellers with accounting and tax issues.