Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Materna Operations is a leading French manufacturer specializing in infant nutrition and baby food solutions, with its headquarters located in Compiègne, France. Established with a strong foundation in baby food innovation, Materna has built a reputation as a strategic private label partner for major global and regional retailers, as well as pharmaceutical distributors. The company operates under the umbrella of the Global Baby Group, aligning its product development with international quality standards and market trends.

Core Business

Materna Operations focuses primarily on the development and production of infant milk formula, baby food products, and cereals. The company acts as a co-manufacturer for private labels and contract manufacturing clients across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. With a comprehensive and flexible approach, Materna tailors its offerings to specific nutritional requirements, cultural preferences, and packaging needs.

Product and Service Offerings

Materna's extensive product portfolio is structured into four main categories:

• Infant Milk Formula:
  • First Milk (0–6 months)
  • Follow-on Milk (6–12 months)
  • Growing-up Milk (12–36 months)
• Baby Food:
  • Fruit Purees
  • Vegetable Purees
  • Full Meals
  • Milk-based Desserts
• Cereals:
  • Infant dry cereals packed in cans or bag-in-box formats
• Packaging Solutions:
  • Rigid Packaging: pots, bowls, trays
  • Flexible Packaging: pouches, doypacks

Their in-house R&D and nutrition experts enable rapid customization of recipes and textures, while also ensuring compliance with international food safety regulations.

Specialization and Core USP

Materna’s key differentiators lie in its:

• End-to-end private label solutions, from concept to commercialization.
• Flexible production formats, accommodating varied recipes, textures, and packaging.
• Global regulatory compliance, adhering to EU, FDA, and CODEX Alimentarius standards.
• Nutritional expertise, offering a catalog of over 150 SKUs developed under scientific and pediatric guidelines.
• Export proficiency, offering halal, kosher, organic, and conventional variants.

Financial Strength

While exact revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, Materna is part of the Global Baby Group, which has strong financial backing and operates several production units across France and Eastern Europe. The group’s consolidated turnover was estimated to be over €100 million in recent years, with Materna contributing a substantial share through its export-driven operations.

Shipment and Export Data

According to available international trade databases:

• Export Reach: Over 25 countries across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
• Top Export Markets: Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, UAE, and Lebanon.
• Annual Export Volume: Estimated over 1,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) of finished goods annually.
• Export Value: Exceeds €30 million annually based on customs and industry estimates.
• Certifications for Export: Materna’s facilities are EU certified and listed for export to high-barrier markets like China and the GCC.

Target Market

Materna serves a wide range of clients including:

• Mass-market retailers launching private labels
• Hospital and pharmaceutical distributors
• E-commerce retailers
• International development organizations (UNICEF, NGOs)
• Importers seeking EU-grade infant nutrition

The company particularly targets emerging markets and high-growth demographics with an emphasis on customized formulas and regional compliance.

Capabilities

Materna’s operations include:

• Fully automated production lines with cold chain integration.
• ISO 22000, IFS Food, and BRC-certified facilities.
• In-house laboratory for microbiological and nutritional testing.
• 24-month shelf-life capability through advanced packaging technologies.
• 100% traceability from raw material to end-product.

Certifications and Compliance

Materna complies with several stringent quality and regulatory standards:

• BRC Global Standard for Food Safety
• IFS Food (International Featured Standards)
• ISO 9001 & ISO 22000
• Halal Certification
• Kosher Certification
• French Organic Certification (AB)
• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)

Their compliance framework enables seamless registration in multiple regulated markets.

Customer Testimonials

“Materna helped us launch our infant milk range under our own label in under six months, with exceptional product quality and packaging innovation.”
— Procurement Director, Leading MENA Retailer (as reported in company brochure)

“The support in market registration and labelling compliance from Materna was unmatched. They are not just manufacturers; they are strategic partners.”
— Head of Product, Baby Nutrition Importer, Southeast Asia

Major Achievements

• Recognized as one of the top 5 French baby food exporters by volume in 2023.
• Developed over 150 private label SKUs since inception.
• Strategic partnership with Babynov, another brand under the Global Baby umbrella, enabling multi-site production support.
• Hosted the 2025 Materna Innovation Forum, gathering international buyers and pediatric nutritionists to present next-gen infant products.

Materna Operations continues to expand its footprint in high-demand regions, with innovation, compliance, and quality as the pillars of its strategic growth.