Unilever is increasingly interested in the dietary supplement market and is considering a possible acquisition of Thorne, a US company specializing in wellness products. According to the Financial Times, the Anglo-Dutch group is exploring a bid for the South Carolina-based company, in a deal that could value Thorne at up to $4 billion, or approximately €3,5 billion.
The operation is part of the strategy launched by the new CEO Fernando Fernandez, who has been at the helm of Unilever since March 2025, which aims to strengthen the group's presence in the beauty, health and wellness segments, considered among the most dynamic in consumer goods.
The group has already made important moves in this direction in recent months. In March, it announced the combination of its food division with the American spice manufacturer McCormick and, shortly thereafter, announced the acquisition of the American nutritional supplement brand Grüns, further expanding its wellness portfolio.
A potential acquisition of Thorne would represent a further step in this transformation. The American company markets premium nutritional supplements, including magnesium, omega-3, and other nutrients, with a strong presence in the US market and a positioning focused on quality and personalized nutrition.
Thorne was acquired in 2023 by the LVMH-backed private equity fund L Catterton for approximately $680 million. In just three years, the company's value is said to have increased significantly, reflecting the strong growth in the supplements sector and growing investor interest.
According to Reuters, in addition to Unilever, Haleon, a consumer health group formed from a GSK spinoff, has also expressed interest in Thorne. However, Haleon has stated that it does not comment on market rumors, while Unilever and L Catterton declined to comment on the matter.
This would be yet another acquisition in the supplements sector for Unilever. The group acquired Olly Nutrition in 2019, SmartyPants Vitamins in 2020, and Nutrafol in 2022, gradually building a platform dedicated to nutrition and wellness.
The strategy confirms the consumer goods giant's shift toward reducing its traditional business and focusing on higher-growth, higher-margin categories, capturing growing consumer demand for products related to preventive health, personal care, and healthy lifestyles.
Meanwhile, on the food front, McCormick reported quarterly results that beat Wall Street expectations, thanks to strong demand for spices and condiments, supported by consumers' tendency to cook more often at home in a still uncertain economic environment.
