Investindustrial's Nexture has agreed to acquire La Crema, a Dubai-based manufacturer of chocolate and other food ingredients, giving the group its first manufacturing footprint in the Middle East. La Crema was founded by Bilal Khalife in 2016 and employs about 170 people at its Dubai facility, supplying ice cream, bakery and fine pastry makers across the region.

The acquisition is Nexture's third bolt-on of 2026, following deals for Frulact and Sipral Padana. Formed in 2021 through Investindustrial's acquisition of CSM Ingredients, Nexture operates in more than 120 countries with 29 production plants and about 2,800 employees.

Investindustrial has completed three add-on acquisitions in the Middle East since 2024, and 281 in total across more than 30 countries, with a combined enterprise value of €14.1 billion. Emanuela Cisini, partner and head of the Middle East and Asia at Investindustrial, said the acquisition gives Nexture an established manufacturing platform in the UAE and direct access to a fast-growing market. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of 2026.