Barentz International, a leading global life science ingredients distributor, has acquired certain assets of Chemcel, a value-add distributor of specialty ingredients into the Mexican pharmaceutical and nutrition markets. 

Through its technical sales team, in-house formulary capabilities, and a product portfolio focused on specialty excipients, the Business provides the natural platform to further expand into the Mexican market as Barentz Mexico. The team will continue to be led by Julio Rendon and the headquarters will remain in Mexico City.

The acquisition strengthens Barentz’ existing presence in Latin America and establishes a growth platform within Mexico’s attractive Life Science markets. It also offers opportunity for further expansion through strategic principal relationships.

Hidde van der Wal, CEO of Barentz, commented: “Mexico has long represented a strategic market for Barentz and Chemcel represented the ideal fit with our commercial strategy and entrepreneurial culture.  The team has worked hard to establish Chemcel as a leader in the Mexican excipient market and we are honored that its owners, Raul de la Parra and Julio Rendon, entrusted Barentz to continue building upon that success as Barentz Mexico.”

Julio Rendon, Managing Director and Chemcel Shareholder, added: “By joining the Barentz organization, I feel we have found the best long-term home for our team and the business that we have worked so hard to establish over the last 17 years.  Together, we see tremendous opportunity to benefit from Barentz’ global infrastructure and relationships to further improve our value proposition to customers and suppliers alike.  At the same time, Barentz appreciates the importance of maintaining an entrepreneurial culture and continuing to focus on our core markets in Mexico.”