JBS closes leather joint venture with Viva

JBS finalised the combination of its leather operations with Viva Holding on 15 September 2026. The transaction creates a new entity named JBS Viva, completing an agreement originally announced in November of last year.

The business will be owned equally, with JBS and Viva each holding a 50% stake. Corporate governance will also be shared evenly. The board of directors will consist of up to six members, with three appointed by JBS and three by Viva Holding. JBS will select the board chair, who will not hold a casting vote, as well as the chief financial officer. Viva Holding will appoint the chief executive officer and the chief operating officer.

The transaction excludes collagen and gelatine assets from both companies. It also leaves out JBS assets at its Cactus plant in Texas in the United States, alongside leather division assets in Germany, Uruguay, and Mexico.

Alongside the closing, JBS agreed to supply raw hides produced at its Brazilian slaughterhouses to JBS Viva. In return, JBS Viva will sell trimmings and splits generated during leather processing back to JBS for use in its gelatine and collagen business.