Orkla
Orkla has completed an agreement to acquire a 43.5% stake in Portuguese beverage firm Asteriscos e Reticências. Credit: Orkla.

Consumer goods supplier Orkla has signed and completed an agreement to acquire a 43.5% stake in Portuguese beverage firm Asteriscos e Reticências.

Orkla executive vice-president and Orkla Foods International CEO Johan Wilhelmsson said: “In investing in the Captain Kombucha brand we are putting our money on a new and increasingly popular product.

“The probiotics and organic acids it contains have a positive effect on gut health, which is one of Orkla’s priority areas.”

“The probiotics and organic acids it contains have a positive effect on gut health, which is one of Orkla’s priority areas.”

Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Asteriscos e Reticências is involved in the production of fermented tea-based health drinks, which are retailed across Europe under the Captain Kombucha brand.

Established in 2016, Captain Kombucha is a lightly sparkling fermented drink that is produced using black or green tea.

The company claims that its drink is organic, suitable for vegan diets and gluten-free, as well as free from preservatives, artificial sweeteners and flavours.

A majority stake in Asteriscos e Reticências is currently owned by its two founders (85%), while the remaining 15% is owned by German venture capital firm Doehler Ventures, which is financially backed by ingredients manufacturer Doehler.

Upon completion of the deal, the founders will retain a 48.5% stake, while Doehler’s stake will be reduced to 7.9%.

In September last year, Coca-Cola acquired kombucha maker Organic & Raw Trading, which produces the MOJO brand of naturally fermented, live cultured, organic drinks. Made from naturally fermented tea, MOJO Kombucha is retailed across Australia.