Mon, 23 Feb 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
Willows Ingredients Group, a distributor of ingredients to the food and nutrition sectors, has been acquired by Dutch specialty chemicals and ingredients firm IMCD. The acquisition will provide IMCD with a stronger foothold across the UK and Ireland’s food and nutrition sector, while expanding its capabilities in the sports, health and animal nutrition markets.
Willows Ingredients, which generated revenues of around £23 million in 2024, brings a 26-strong team into IMCD. The company is based in Wicklow and predominantly operates within the domestic Irish market, as well as in the UK.
Through the deal, IMCD is seeking to expand its existing offering in the food and nutrition market, a high-growth segment of the wider industry, while broadening its portfolio. The integration of Willows Ingredients’ supplier partnerships will also provide the firm with improved access to the British and Irish market.
IMCD UK & Ireland Managing Director Paul Hanbury said that the deal was “an important step in developing our food & nutrition activities across the region”.
He continued: "Willows Ingredients has built an impressive portfolio of nutrition ingredients, and the team brings long-standing trusted customer relationships and valuable expertise across Ireland and the UK. By combining their strengths with IMCD’s global reach and formulation capabilities, we can create even greater opportunities for our customers and principals.”
David Scrivens, Managing Director at Willows Ingredients (pictured above), added: “We are proud of the strong customer relationships our team has built in the specialised nutrition space.”
“By joining IMCD, we gain access to a global platform that will enable us to support our partners even more effectively. We look forward to contributing our knowledge and working alongside our new colleagues to deliver enhanced solutions for the market.”
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, with IMCD saying that it expects the deal to close during the first quarter of 2026.
Rotterdam-headquartered IMCD, which is traded on the Amsterdam-based Euronext stock exchange, generated revenues of £4.2 billion last year. The company operates in more than 60 countries, employing over 5,200 staff across its global operations.
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