Croda purchase of Sederma for $66 mil. adds skin care "active" ingredients to mix.

CRODA's SEDERMA ACQUISITION MOVES CHEMICAL SUPPLIER INTO "ACTIVE" INGREDIENTS market with agents including free radical scavengers, slimming and firming treatments, ceramides and "regenerating" agents. The specialty chemical group Croda (East Yorkshire, England) will pay roughly $66 mil. in cash upon completion of its acquisition of Paris-based STOA Group and its principle subsidiary, Sederma S.A. (Societe d'Etudes Dermatologiques). The company also will assume STOA's debt of approximately $14.9 mil. Sederma will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Croda, which signed an agreement to acquire the skin care ingredient manufacturer from a group of venture capitalists, banks and senior management on July 30. Price Waterhouse served as Croda's financial adviser.