KME Sells Fragrance Brand Culti Milano to French Home-Fragrance Giant Emosia

KME Group has announced the sale of its majority stake in Italian fragrance brand Culti Milano to Berger International, the holding company of French home-fragrance leader Emosia Group. The deal sees KME divest its 77.17% shareholding in Culti Milano for a total consideration of €45.8 million.

This strategic move aligns with KME’s broader plan to focus its industrial holdings on its core laminates business, KME SE. The sale is expected to significantly bolster KME’s financial resources, allowing for increased investment and development within its primary sector. The press release explicitly states the transaction completes this strategic refocusing.

Culti Milano, employing 61 individuals, demonstrated strong financial performance in the 2024 financial year, achieving revenues of €20.8 million and an EBITDA of €4.7 million. The Culti Group itself holds 11.94% of the share capital. This performance underscores the brand’s value and appeal within the fragrance market.

Emosia Group, a major player in the French home-fragrance industry with brands including Maison Berger Paris, My Jolie Candle, and Ambiances Devineau, boasts a substantial international presence. The group operates through approximately 9,000 points of sale across nearly 70 countries, manages five industrial sites, and generates an annual turnover exceeding €110 million, with roughly half of its revenue originating from international markets.

Emosia’s acquisition of Culti Milano is driven by a strategy of expanding its portfolio with high-value brands. The company highlighted Culti’s unique combination of olfactory quality, premium materials, distinctive design, and strong brand experience as key factors in the decision. This acquisition is expected to complement and strengthen Emosia’s existing brand offerings.

To ensure a smooth transition and continued growth, Culti Milano’s current management team will remain in place following the acquisition. This continuity is intended to maintain operational stability and support the ongoing development of the business under Emosia’s ownership.

The transaction is subject to the completion of standard regulatory conditions and is currently scheduled to be finalized in February 2026. This timeline allows for a structured handover and integration process between the two companies.