Cleveland-based investment firm, The Riverside Company, has announced the acquisition of German cleanroom consumables distributor pure11 GmbH. The acquisition, made through a Riverside-affiliated European fund, forms part of the firm’s continued investment in its portfolio company, Dastex Group GmbH. It marks the third add-on for Dastex in just 16 months, further strengthening its presence in Europe’s DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
The deal, pending regulatory approval, is part of Riverside’s wider buy-and-build strategy to establish Dastex as a European leader in the cleanroom sector. Riverside acquired Dastex, a specialist in cleanroom garments and consumables, in mid-2023 and has since expanded the business with strategic additions, including Vita Verita in 2023 and AET in 2024.
Founded in 2007 with its headquarters in Grünwald, Germany, pure11 has developed a strong market position, distributing a wide range of cleanroom consumables under both third-party brands and its proprietary brand, CELOS®. Its product offering includes gloves, wipes, disposable garments, and swabs, serving industries such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, optical glass, and automotive.
The acquisition will allow Dastex to leverage pure11’s established expertise and customer base, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Damien Gaudin, Partner at Riverside Europe and lead on the deal, described the acquisition as a natural next step in Dastex’s expansion. He said: “With pure11, Dastex is adding a well-established player in the cleanroom consumables market, expanding its product range and geographical footprint. The acquisition strengthens Dastex’s position in the DACH region, diversifies its market exposure, and brings in a highly experienced management team.”
Julian Kropp, Managing Director and owner of pure11, said: “The combination of pure11 and Dastex will accelerate our growth ambitions. We are excited to collaborate with a company that shares our commitment to excellence in service and product innovation. Our customers, suppliers, and employees will greatly benefit from this strategic move.”
Linda Vereycken, CEO of Dastex, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the mutual benefits the acquisition would bring to both companies. She commented: “Acquiring pure11 represents a significant step in our mission to become a leading cleanroom specialist in Europe. The complementary strengths of both companies will enhance our capabilities and further solidify our market position in the EU.”
A Broader Growth Strategy
Riverside’s acquisition of pure11 aligns with its broader goal of building a European platform in cleanroom contamination control. The cleanroom sector is a resilient and growing industry, driven by stringent quality and regulatory standards in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and semiconductors.
This latest acquisition underlines Riverside’s commitment to expanding Dastex both organically and through targeted acquisitions, positioning the company as a key player in the European cleanroom industry.
Riverside’s investment team on the pure11 deal included Vice Presidents Maxime Meulemeester and Nicola Tomaschko, Senior Associate Sebastiaan Pauwels, and Senior Legal Counsel Peter Parmentier.
