EU Business News - Q4 2025 With its headquarters based in Nantes, France and with several decades of experience beneath its belt, the Naturacare group is dedicated to the design, production and packaging of food supplements promoting the improvement of human and animal health. The choice of ingredients selected, thanks to the their scientifically proven effectiveness and the quality of controls at the entry and exit, allows the firm to ensure optimal quality to its innovatively finished products. In addition to the experience acquired over more than 40 years on the most appropriate solutions to address the food supplements market, Naturacare has developed specific expertise to better address natural health products in a logic of multi-channel development. More than 1,500 materials selected from plants, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, probiotic strains, enzymes and other substances are utilised in order to produce very specific, state-of-the-art formula solutions to customers. One of the firm’s historical know-how on probiotics resulting from the mastery of preservation, production and formulation processes with a dedicated scientific team is a unique added value to improve the availability of B2B customers to develop new ranges and innovative galenics on the probate segment. Within the company’s five internal laboratories, and by collaborating with external experts in flavouring, Naturacare has developed group expertise on the flavouring of different galenics for different target markets. Experienced in drinkable liquid solutions, hardcaps, tablets, chewing gum and effervescents, powder solutions to be mixed with water in stick form, the teams have developed real know-how via protocols and numerous flavours available suitable for different targets and technical constraints. Today, Naturacare’s clients include brands and pharmaceutical companies offering Most Innovative Natural Health Products CEO 2025: Luc Basthiste Naturacare is a leading European contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) in food supplements, with a strong presence in four countries and a one-stop-shop offering. We find out more from Chief Executive Officer, Luc Basthiste as he wins a much-coveted place in this year’s European CEO of the Year Awards. May25277 nutraceutical products in the pharmacy channel, either online or in retail establishments. “At Naturacare, we conceive and produce natural health products for both humans and animals,” states Chief Executive Officer, Luc Basthiste. “This is backed up with a strong belief that innovation goes far beyond product development.” When it comes to differentiating the firm from competitors and marking itself out as the best choice, Luc sees three key elements that clearly position Naturacare as a leader. Firstly, he strongly believes that "innovation begins with trust" and that trust is the basis of the relationship the business builds with its loyal customers. Secondly, the one-stop-shop offering, combined with a full-service approach, gives the organisation a clear competitive advantage to address the major players in the market who rely on Naturacare to help to develop new and innovative products and anticipate emerging trends prior to them coming to fruition. Finally, the quality and ESG policy are of the utmost importance to improve existing partnerships and develop new products with the company’s clients. Luc has held the position as CEO of Naturacare since 2021, although prior to this appointment he has always held roles in industrial companies, beginning in production and managerial positions, before moving into business development after 12 years. He tells us how his career path to date has helped to shape his work at Naturacare. “Thanks to these experiences, I have a 360° view of our business with a mix of science, technology and marketing to better understanding the needs of our customer,” he begins. “My scientific background also influences my conviction that innovation is key to develop the business, that's why I position innovation as a pillar of my development strategy.” As a visionary within the industry, Luc tells us that his leadership style is very much based on strong, clear communication – something which is essential in a multicultural company where four different cultures are represented – these being French, Dutch, Belgian and Italian. Luc is keen to pay specific attention to explaining and communicating regularly with his teams, instilling the firm’s objectives and ensuring that achievements are known and recognised. “My leadership style is very participative,” he elaborates. “I built a European group where the local specificities are taken into account and considered to adapt my strategy... But the main objective has remained the same since 2019 – to become a European CDMO leader in the nutraceutical market.” Having a consistent and clear vision helps Luc and the team to follow the trajectory he has set for the firm, and he is a firm believer in trust – something which forms a large part of his role as a leader. Giving autonomy, accountability and responsibility to team members will not only help develop them in their careers, but also lead the company forward to success. With his strategy being to continue to develop the company and team’s expertise in Europe to confirm its number one positioning within the sector, Luc has a strong industrial plan to achieve this which revolves around modernising and investing in the five plants and the associated production tools continuously. As well as this, Luc also commits to continuing investment in Naturacare’s R&D department and processes in order to develop more innovative solutions and to continually improve the firm’s scientific knowledge. Finally, he will also consolidate the business’s European footprint in the next years with considerable acquisitions in similar organisations. Despite this stellar business model and resounding success to date, much like every entrepreneur since 2019, Luc has come up against obstacles in his race to the top such
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