ETSA Group has acquired 100% of Grupo Barna's capital from the investment fund Corpfin Capital and a group of minority shareholders. This transaction enables both ETSA Group and Grupo Barna to expand their business areas in full alignment with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy.
Headquartered in Mundaka, in the Basque Country in Spain, and a reference in its segment in Spain, Grupo Barna operates in the circular economy of the food sector, producing proteins and oils derived from the collection and transformation of marine-origin products, primarily for the animal feed sector. This transaction strengthens Grupo Barna's growth prospects by integrating it into a group with a strong investment capacity and opportunities to enter new market segments.
According to a statement from the ETSA Group’s executive committee, “this is an excellent opportunity for the growth of both groups. We are very pleased with this acquisition, which will allow us to enhance the innovation and sustainability work developed so far by the Barna team. This is a very important step in the growth of the ETSA Group, and we are highly motivated to work together with the Barna team and explore the many opportunities that the integrated management of both groups will create.”
The circularity that defines Grupo Barna's business model and its industrial structure—featuring extensive geographical coverage and the qualification of its human resources—were key factors in the ETSA Group’s decision to make this significant acquisition. The ETSA Group is an industrial conglomerate responsible for developing the environmental business of the Semapa Group.
Since 1961, Barna has been active in this sector, opening its first factory to process surplus fish and byproducts generated by the fishing industry. This initiative contributed to reducing the environmental impact of the fishing sector while promoting the sustainability of marine resources. Today, Barna employs over 120 workers and operates two factories: one in Mundaka, in the Basque Country, and another near Tarifa, in Andalusia. Together, these facilities process over 50,000 tons of fish byproducts annually.
Originally focused on producing traditional fishmeal and fish oils, Grupo Barna expanded its commercial offering by producing and marketing protein hydrolysates from marine sources—products with significantly higher nutritional value. This aligns perfectly with the ETSA Group's strategy of continuously increasing the value added to the ingredients it produces and markets.
Operating in the food sector recycling industry, the ETSA Group has been investing in innovative and sustainable products, such as pet food ingredients, fertilizers, and biofuels. This acquisition marks another step in the expansion and diversification of its business areas, allowing the ETSA Group to enter new markets in terms of geography, raw material sources, and final product destinations.
