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Afrikelp, a South African producer of seaweed-based biostimulants, has been acquired by Sustainable Agro Solutions Group (SAS Group), which has taken a majority stake in the company. SAS Group is backed by Stirling Square Capital Partners.
However, the financial terms were not disclosed.
Post-acquisition, Afrikelp’s management team will stay invested in the business. The company says its customer service and product quality will not change.
Additionally, the deal gives SAS Group an exclusive concession to harvest Ecklonia maxima, a type of kelp found off South Africa’s Atlantic coast. It also gets Afrikelp’s cold extraction technology and its customers in more than 55 countries. SAS Group says this will help it grow in the US and other key markets.
SAS Group specialises in biostimulants, soil conditioners, defense activators, and specialty plant nutrition. They have strong research and development and operate in over 100 countries.
The acquisition is part of an expansion plan SAS Group began five years ago, when Stirling Square Capital Partners came on board as an investor.
Since then, the group has acquired Biovert in 2023, Pevesa Agroscience in 2024, Aqua do Brasil and CODIAGRO in 2025, and Ceres Biotics earlier this year.
“In SAS Group, we have found a partner that shares our values, our commitment to scientific excellence and our passion for sustainable agriculture. Their global presence and expertise create opportunities for Afrikelp to grow, reach new markets and bring our seaweed-based solutions to more growers around the world. While this marks the beginning of a new chapter, our commitment to our customers, our people and the quality of our products remains unchanged,” said Dr Nicole Hart, CEO of Afrikelp.
Led by Dr Nicole Hart, Afrikelp creates high-quality seaweed-based biostimulants from Ecklonia maxima, which is sustainably harvested from the Atlantic Ocean.
It uses a patented process called Cold Micronisation. Its products are used on more than 45 crops and sold in over 55 markets.
With over 50 years of experience and advanced scientific methods, Afrikelp produces effective solutions that enhance crop performance, resilience, and quality.
The South African company partners with top agricultural businesses globally to provide reliable and high-performance biostimulants, aimed at supporting more productive and sustainable farming.
Xavier Mitjavila, Chief Executive Officer of SAS Group, said, “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Afrikelp, which represents a significant step forward in our strategy to build a global leader in agricultural biosolutions. Seaweed has been a key area of our portfolio that we have been looking to expand, and Afrikelp brings a highly differentiated combination of scientific expertise, proprietary extraction technology, privileged access to Ecklonia maxima, and an established international customer base. We look forward to working closely with Nicole and the Afrikelp team, combining their expertise with SAS Group’s broader product portfolio and international presence to accelerate growth, deepen our presence in key strategic markets, and bring these solutions to more customers around the world.”
Based out of Lleida, Spain, SAS Group works in agricultural biosolutions and specialty plant nutrition. Its range covers biostimulants, soil conditioners, defence activators and plant nutrition products. It operates in more than 100 countries and runs its research through its NOBA technology platform.
Through its NOBA technology platform and international network of specialist businesses, the Group places science, innovation and sustainability at the centre of its growth strategy. SAS Group has strengthened its organisation through a five-year expansion plan, starting with Stirling Square Capital Partners.
This includes acquiring Biovert in 2023, Pevesa Agroscience in 2024, Aqua do Brasil and CODIAGRO in 2025, and Ceres Biotics earlier this year.
