Marico Limited has announced its strategic investment in Zea Maize Private Limited, the company behind the premium gourmet snacking brand '4700BC'. The acquisition involves purchasing 93.27% of Zea Maize's paid-up share capital from PVR INOX Limited for an aggregate consideration of up to ₹226.83 Crores. This transaction aligns with Marico's strategic priority to expand its presence in value-added food categories. The acquisition is expected to be completed within 30 days, subject to customary closing conditions. Zea Maize Private Limited, incorporated in 2013, owns the '4700BC' brand, known for its gourmet popcorn and other innovative snack offerings across offline, online, and institutional channels. Saugata Gupta, MD and CEO of Marico Limited, stated that the investment in '4700BC' supports Marico's ambition to participate in fast-growing food categories with distinctive brands. Chirag Gupta, Founder of '4700BC', expressed delight in partnering with Marico, anticipating that Marico's FMCG expertise will be instrumental in the brand's next chapter. Ajay Bijli, MD of PVR INOX Limited, noted that the transaction represents a natural culmination of PVR INOX's strategic role and allows for the monetization of a non-core asset. Marico has the right to acquire the remaining stake in Zea Maize after three years from the execution date, subject to certain milestones and agreements. For FY24-25, Zea Maize reported a turnover of ₹98.66 Crores, with a last 3 months ARR (Oct-Dec 2025) of approximately ₹140 Crores.
