Eurofins boosts French food testing market share

Eurofins Scientific has acquired Protec Group’s water and food testing businesses in France.

The firm said the deal reinforces its food testing position in the country with the addition of its first such lab in the South West region.

Protec Bio-testing has two laboratories with a surface area of more than 1,500 m2.

One lab in the Toulouse area is focused on food testing while the other looks at water testing and is on two sites, one in Marseille and one in the Nice region.

The two labs have more than 70 staff. Protec Bio-testing processed over 130,000 samples in 2017 and generated revenues close to €6m.

Eurofins said it complements its nationwide network of food microbiology labs and provides a one-stop-shop platform for accessing new clients and increasing market share in the region.

The company will also reinforce its water testing footprint in the South-East of France offering microbiology and chemistry water testing services.

Dr Gilles Martin, Eurofins CEO, said the transaction demonstrates a commitment to expand its network of food and water testing labs.

“Protec Bio-testing strengthens Eurofins’ footprint in the food and water testing markets in France. In return, Protec Bio-testing’s clients will gain access to the full range of services, companies and knowledge of the Eurofins Group.”

Earlier this month, Eurofins bought Lab Frontier Co. that provides food, environment and cosmetics testing services in South Korea.