Global investment firm The Riverside Company has acquired a controlling stake in Spain’s Essential Compositions, a fast-growing developer and manufacturer of fragrances, through an affiliated European investment fund.
According to a press release, this marks Riverside’s sixth investment in the European ingredients market, with previous deals including Capol, MEC3, E&A Scheer, Euromed, and HTBA. Riverside also owns OnScent, a fragrance platform in the US.
Following the investment, Riverside plans to strengthen Essential Compositions’ commercial and R&D capabilities, expanding its team of perfumers to support organic growth and international expansion, while preserving its heritage as a family-run business. Riverside also aims to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the fragmented fragrance market, with significant opportunities for consolidation.
Founded in GandÃa, Spain, in 1980, Essential Compositions specialises in creating and producing fragrances for markets such as perfumery, personal care, air care, and home care. The company sells to 250 customers across more than 40 countries worldwide.
The Riverside team for this transaction included Vice President Mattia Gattesco, Senior Associate Jaime GarcÃa-Oliveros, Vice President Laura Palacio, and Senior Operating Partner Fabio Pesiri. Riverside was advised by A&O Shearman (Legal M&A) and KPMG (Commercial, Operational, Financial, Tax, Legal, and Labour DD).
The management team at Essential Compositions, including Gonzalo Catalá (CTO), Alberto Catalá (CCO), and Miguel Catalá (Admin & Finance Director), worked with their advisors, Gómez Acebo & Pombo (Legal M&A) and Implica Corporate Finance (M&A advisor).
