Peugeot Invest invests $175 million in Mérieux NutriSciences to drive its North American expansion
The investment company enters the capital of the food testing specialist to support the acquisition of Certified Group and strengthen the group's presence in North America.
A $175 million commitment to finance an acquisition
Peugeot Invest announced on September 21, 2026 an investment of $175 million in Mérieux NutriSciences. The transaction aims to support the acquisition of Certified Group by the group specialized in food safety and quality.
With this contribution, Peugeot Invest becomes one of the main minority partners of Mérieux NutriSciences. The company will be represented on the board of directors of the group and will participate in its governance.
This stake acquisition is part of Peugeot Invest's strategy, which targets companies exposed to sustainable growth trends. The transaction marks its entry into the testing, inspection and certification (TIC) market, attached to business services, one of its four preferred sectors.
According to the statement, the acquisition of Certified Group should enable Mérieux NutriSciences to strengthen its position in North America, presented as the world's largest market in the sector.
Mérieux NutriSciences: one billion dollars in revenue and 140 laboratories
Mérieux NutriSciences, controlled by the Institut Mérieux, operates in food quality, safety and sustainability solutions. The group employs 10,000 people and relies on a network of 140 accredited laboratories.
Its revenue exceeds one billion dollars, according to the statement. The company claims a global presence covering the entire food value chain.
The acquisition of Certified Group follows the integration, in 2024, of Bureau Veritas' global food testing activities. This new transaction is presented as a step in its growth strategy on the North American market.
The food testing segment benefits, according to Peugeot Invest, from structural trends such as strengthened regulatory requirements, growing consumer expectations regarding safety and traceability, as well as the emergence of new health risks.
Peugeot Invest clarifies its sectoral strategy
Peugeot Invest indicates it is building a portfolio of stakes in sectors where it has long-term convictions. Jean-Charles Douin, chief executive officer of Peugeot Invest, stated his desire to support Mérieux NutriSciences in a new chapter of growth in North America.
The investment company manages a diversified portfolio of minority stakes in listed and unlisted companies, as well as private equity funds, mainly in Europe and North America. Its four preferred sectors are healthcare, technology, financial services and business services.
Listed on Euronext, Peugeot Invest is majority-owned by the Établissements Peugeot Frères and counts Stellantis among its historical holdings.
