Mérieux NutriSciences Leads in Food Safety with Joint Venture Launch
Deal News | Jun 01, 2025 | PR Newswire Cision Mérieux NutriSciences
Mérieux NutriSciences and AsureQuality have officially launched their joint venture, Mérieux NutriSciences AQ (MNAQ). This collaboration stems from Mérieux NutriSciences' acquisition of Bureau Veritas' worldwide food testing ventures, including its BVAQ stakes in Southeast Asia and Australia. The transaction closed in Southeast Asia in January 2025, with completion in Australia by May 31, 2025. This positions MNAQ as a formidable entity in food testing and assurance across these regions, heralding a new phase for both companies in delivering trusted solutions across the food value chain. Kim Ballinger, CEO of AsureQuality, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership for enhancing services to New Zealand exporters in global markets. Nicolas Cartier, CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences, underscored the joint venture as a major step in their global strategy, enabling the company to offer scientific, high-value solutions across the food sector. This collaboration aims to innovate and set new standards in food assurance across Southeast Asia and Australia.
Sectors
- Food Safety and Testing
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Geography
- Southeast Asia – The joint venture aims to provide services across Southeast Asia, following the acquisition and integration of Bureau Veritas' food testing activities in this region.
- Australia – MNAQ is also targeting the Australian market, as evidenced by the joint venture's launch and strategic operations in Australia.
- New Zealand – New Zealand is crucial to the narrative as AsureQuality, a partner in the joint venture, is New Zealand's premier food assurance provider.
Industry
- Food Safety and Testing – The article focuses on the launch of a joint venture specializing in food safety, quality, and sustainability solutions across Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Mergers and Acquisitions – Mérieux NutriSciences' acquisition of Bureau Veritas' global food testing business is central to forming the joint venture MNAQ.
Financials
- Not disclosed – There is no specific financial transaction amount disclosed regarding the formation of the joint venture or the acquisition.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mérieux NutriSciences | Bidding Company | Company | A global leader in food safety, quality, and sustainability, and a key player in forming the MNAQ joint venture. |
| AsureQuality | Bidding Company | Company | A New Zealand government-owned entity specializing in end-to-end food assurance, part of the MNAQ joint venture. |
| Bureau Veritas | Selling Company | Company | The provider whose worldwide food testing activities, including its stakes in BVAQ, were acquired by Mérieux NutriSciences. |
| Kim Ballinger | CEO of AsureQuality | Person | CEO of AsureQuality, highlighting the strategic importance of the MNAQ joint venture. |
| Nicolas Cartier | CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences | Person | CEO of Mérieux NutriSciences, emphasized the joint venture as a critical milestone in global strategy. |