CABB, a German global provider of fine and specialty chemicals and custom manufacturing solutions, is to be acquired by Bridgepoint from AXA Private Equity for an undisclosed sum.

The company, based in Sulzbach/Taunus, near Frankfurt, is one of the world's leading suppliers of chemical building blocks based on chlorine and acetic acid and the world market leader in monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), an essential component used in a wide range of applications ranging from herbicides, personal care to the food industry. It is also a leading custom manufacturer for global agrochemical, food, pharma and chemical companies.

It currently operates four manufacturing sites in Germany, Switzerland and India, with sales offices in the UK, China, Argentina and the USA. It has 750 employees and in 2010 had sales of €311 million.

CABB chief executive Dr Martin Wienkenhöver said: "CABB has leading positions in many of its markets and a well-diversified product portfolio but we remain ambitious for the future growth of our business and look forward to working with our new investor Bridgepoint in continuing the path pursued under AXA to realise the full strategic value of the company."

Graham Oldroyd, the partner responsible for Bridgepoint's investment in the manufacturing and industrials sector, commented: "CABB has significant potential for further earnings and profit growth by becoming a more global market leader through expansion and selective, targeted bolt-on acquisitions that Bridgepoint and management will be keen to pursue."

Uwe Kolb, partner responsible for Bridgepoint's investment activities in the German speaking countries, added: "CABB fits the Bridgepoint investment criteria well. The company has leading position in its markets, a solid cash-flow as well as potential to realize further growth by means of a globalisation strategy. These dynamics are further supported by the strong market position of CABB in agroproducts and the underlying megatrend of a growing global population with increasing demands for foods. We are delighted to be able to help the CABB management to realise their goals."

The transaction is subject to standard competition clearances.

Advisers involved in this transaction included:

For Bridgepoint - Greenhill & Co. Europe (corporate finance); Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Clifford Chance, Steuerberatern und Solicitors (legal); Nexant Ltd , ChemAdvice GmbH (market due diligence); KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers (accounting); ERM (environment); Marsh, Argo (insurance).

For management - Pöllath&Partner (legal).