Naturex doubles the size of its Avignon site to accommodate its development

• Increased industrial and logistic capacities
• Optimized areas for R&D and quality control
• Specially outfitted formulation workshops for innovative solutions

Avignon, June 1, 2013 – Naturex, the global leader in natural specialty ingredients of plant origin, inaugurated the expansion of its headquarters in Avignon in the presence of State representatives, local officials, staff, and company partners.

Thierry Lambert, Chief Executive Officer, invited participants on a tour through various workshops presenting Naturex’s activities, along with pastry demonstrations using natural ingredients led by the master chocolatier and pastry chef, Mickaël Azouz. These activities were followed by the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.

During his speech, Thierry Lambert commented on the group’s exponential growth from its beginning in 1992 and its sharp increase in sales (from 100 to 300 million euro) over the past three years, allowing Naturex to gain its position as world leader in its market. He also emphasized the success of the group’s development strategy and its resolute international orientation, along with the importance of the Avignon site in guiding the industrial and commercial activities of the company on five continents, and as the central research platform for the group.

An additional 10,000 m² to support the group’s development projects

The expansion of the Avignon site, 10,000 m² of additional space, will double the total size of the headquarters, which includes production facilities, operational divisions, and other group services. For a total investment of 12 million euro, the new entity will allow the group to anticipate market developments both in terms of production capacity and storage (4,500 m² of production space, 1,000 m² of additional storage space), and in terms of innovation, thanks to specific spaces dedicated to Research and Development and Quality Control. A large ingredient formulation zone was also created in order to develop tailor-made solutions and concepts.

An eco-friendly building in accordance with group values

To conserve natural resources and biodiversity, core elements of Naturex's business, the site expansion was carried out in accordance with ambitious sustainable development objectives. To optimize control of energy consumption and environmental impact, appropriate plans were made from the design (insulation, double-flow ventilation, eco-designed wood furniture certified FSC) through to the building’s use (construction of a water treatment plant seamlessly integrated into the site environment).

“The new dimension of the Avignon site will boost our offer by allowing us to anticipate market expectations and optimize the development of our future projects on an international level," said Thierry Lambert, CEO. “We are proud to be able to continue developing globally from this location in France and to contribute to the growth of our business sector while adhering to responsible and sustainable practices."

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Documentation

A press kit including key figures of the group and an image bank illustrating the Avignon site and the inauguration ceremony are available from Naturex upon request.

Naturex has been listed since October 1996 on NYSE Euronext in Paris, Segment B

Total number of shares comprising the share capital: 7,821,355

ISIN FR0000054694

Naturex is a component of the CAC Small and Gaïa indexes.

Naturex is eligible for the "long only" Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

Naturex established a Sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program in the United States. Under this facility, Naturex’s ADRs are traded over-the-counter in the United States under the symbol NTUXY.

SYMBOL: NRX - Reuters: NATU.PA - Bloomberg: NRX:FP - DR Symbol: NTUXY

About Naturex  

Naturex is the global leader in speciality plant-based natural ingredients.

The Group is organised around three strategic markets (food & beverage, nutrition & health and personal care) and produces and markets speciality plant-based ingredients for the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Naturex’s head office is based in Avignon. The company employs more than 1,400 people with high-performance manufacturing operations across 15 sites in Europe (France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland) as well as in Morocco, the United States, Brazil, Australia and India. It also has a global presence through a dedicated network of sales offices in 20 countries (France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Russia, U.A.E., Thailand, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and India).

Naturex's development is supported by positive underlying trends linked to the fast-growing demand for natural products and its capacity to provide manufacturers customised solutions to meet the requirements of their end consumers. The Group's strength lies in its positioning with specific products which constitute niche markets, supported by strong sourcing capacity and sustained research & development.

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