Cotecna Acquires Suolo e Salute
Cotecna Inspection SA is pleased to announce the acquisition of Suolo e Salute, Italy’s leading organic control and certification body.
This transaction, recently approved by the Italian Council of Ministers under the Golden Power regulation, marks a significant step in Cotecna’s strategy to expand and diversify its service offering in the agri-food sector.
Italy represents a key market for Cotecna, not only due to its economic relevance and role in high-quality agri-food production, but also as one of the leading countries in Europe for organic agriculture. Through this acquisition, Cotecna significantly strengthens its strategic presence in a territory that is essential for the development of services related to sustainability, traceability, and food safety.
Suolo e Salute has its origins in the Suolo e Salute Association, founded in 1969 and a pioneer in the promotion of organic agriculture. It is the leading control and certification body for organic in Italy, with over 23,500 certified organic operators and more than 700,000 hectares under inspection, representing 30% of the country’s organic farmland. Suolo e Salute is a leader in organic certification and has for years also provided services under other quality agri-food certification schemes.
The integration of Suolo e Salute into the Cotecna Group allows for an expanded portfolio of services in agri-food certification, enhancing the offering in organic, traceability, and sustainability.
The transaction includes the retention of Suolo e Salute’s current organizational structure and leadership team, thereby preserving its widespread presence across the Italian territory—one of the organization’s key strengths, essential for delivering personalized, high-quality, and locally rooted services to certified businesses.
With Cotecna’s support, Suolo e Salute will be able to further strengthen its leadership in the Italian market and initiate a gradual and strategic international expansion, leveraging the Group’s extensive global network in strategically important countries.
“We are excited to welcome Suolo e Salute to the Cotecna Group. This acquisition strengthens Cotecna’s presence in Italy—a strategic market and a European leader in organic agriculture—and represents a key opportunity to enrich our portfolio with high-level certification services in the agri-food sector, promoting sustainable practices and ensuring quality for consumers.”
— Sébastien Dannaud – CEO - Cotecna
“The history of our certification body is deeply rooted in the ethical and environmental values of the Suolo e Salute Association, founded in 1969. We have inherited the legacy of one of the first movements that gave rise to organic agriculture in Italy and beyond. Today, we embrace the extraordinary opportunity to join the Cotecna Group with positivity and confidence. Together, we will face new market challenges and chart new paths for growth. With Cotecna, Suolo e Salute begins a new chapter—and I am convinced it will be a story of success.”
— Angelo Costa – Executive Chairman - Suolo e Salute
“We welcome with great satisfaction the opportunity to become part of the Cotecna Group. Over time, we have built credibility and reliability, earning the continued trust of the market. Behind our successful track record lies the strength of our local presence, thanks to the valuable contributions of our inspectors and office teams. With Cotecna’s support—and with the same spirit as always—we will further consolidate this bond, strengthen our organizational structure, and enhance the quality and innovation of our certification services. With Cotecna, we will be stronger and more competitive, ready to grow and face future challenges.”
— Alessandro D’Elia – CEO - Suolo e Salute