According to reports, the acquisition will see Wassen gain a bigger foothold in the rapidly expanding omega-3 market that is expected to grow at an average annual rate of eight per cent to 2010, according to Frost and Sullivan/ Euromonitor. The omega-3 market in Europe alone was worth around €160m (£108m) in 2004.
The sale, for an undisclosed sum, will see Efamol stay as a stand-alone, but will move geographically from it's current base in North Yorkshire to Wassen's Leatherhead headquarters.
Efamol's active research agenda will not be affected by the acquisition. Peter Clough Efamol's research director told NutraIngredients.com in May that the company was in the process of conducting about ten trials in hospitals and universities with omega-3s for a range of conditions including inflammation, skin, and other cognitive function.
Wassen currently supplies nutritional supplements to a range of British retailers, including Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, and Sainsbury's. Wassen supplements are available in 23 countries worldwide, while Efamol products can be found in 35 countries.