Kartesia, a European specialist provider of capital solutions for small and mid-sized companies, and Eurazeo have provided a EUR103 million financing solution to pan-European mid-market private equity firm Stirling Square Capital Partners (Stirling Square) for its acquisition of Spanish agriculture business Sustainable Agro Solutions (SAS).
Founded in 1989, SAS is a leading developer and producer of biostimulants, soil and water improvers, defence activators, and specialty plant nutrition solutions. The Company operates in the highly attractive biosolutions segment, which is characterised by double-digit growth rates across all regions, underpinned by positive secular trends. SAS offers a high-quality and broad product portfolio, global footprint, robust distribution networks, industry-leading R&D capabilities and deeply experienced management team. The Company has a global footprint, being present in over 90 countries across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The transaction represents the sixth platform investment from Stirling Square’s Fourth Fund, and the first-ever one in Spain.
Kartesia and Eurazeo’s facility proceeds will be used to finance Stirling Square’s acquisition and support its ambitious organic and inorganic growth plans, and marks another successful transaction for Kartesia’s senior debt fund (KSO I) in Spain.
The deal team at Kartesia comprised Javier Castillo and Jorge Gimenez-Arribas.
Javier Castillo, Director at Kartesia, says: “We are excited to support Stirling Square with its acquisition of SAS, which has established itself as one of the leading developers and producers of nutritional and biostimulant solutions for the agricultural sector. Kartesia is proud to support companies like SAS that have sustainability at its core, and we are confident its partnership with Stirling Square will further reinforce its position as an industry leader.”