Private equity firm, Summa Equity, invests in a company specializing in air technology systems.
In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the waste sorting and recycling sector, Swedish impact investor Summa Equity has taken a majority stake in Schulz & Berger Luft- und Verfahrenstechnik (S&B), a German company specializing in air sorting and dedusting systems. This move comes as Summa Equity created Global Circular Solutions, a holding company focused on the circular economy, last year.
S&B, known for its expertise in air technology systems used in waste separation, complements the activities of Bollegraaf, a Dutch company that designs and manufactures recycling and sorting systems. Together, the companies will drive innovation and efficiency in the circular economy sector.
S&B contributes specialized air-based separation technologies that enhance the mechanical and operational aspects of sorting plants. Their offerings include air classifiers, dust extraction systems, activated carbon filters, and air management systems for composting plants. These systems are instrumental in municipal recycling facilities, where they are used to separate plastic, paper, glass, and other fractions according to their density.
On the other hand, Bollegraaf provides turnkey, large-scale waste sorting and recycling solutions. Their comprehensive offerings include household waste sorting equipment used widely across Europe and North America. By integrating S&B's advanced air technology expertise with Bollegraaf's broad waste sorting and recycling system solutions, the combined entity can expand geographic reach, enhance product offerings, and accelerate growth across key markets.
Both S&B and Bollegraaf manufacture their own equipment, ensuring quality and customization for specific waste sorting needs. This synergy enables the companies to serve a larger spectrum of waste sorting needs with innovative equipment that improves efficiency and effectiveness in recycling processes.
S&B, which employs 160 full-time staff across its sites and affiliated entities, has a strong presence in the DACH region. The company generated €30m in revenue in 2024, marking significant growth in the waste sorting and recycling industry.
The investment in S&B was made through the €2.3bn Summa Equity Fund III, a growth and buyout focused fund investing across the Nordics and Northern Europe. The Article 9 fund's other themes include sustainable food, energy transition, and tech-enabled resilience.
It's worth noting that S&B remains product-oriented and capable of supplying to competitors, broadening market impact. This ensures that the company's innovative solutions are accessible to a wider range of waste sorting and recycling facilities, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient circular economy.
In summary, the merger of S&B and Bollegraaf under Global Circular Solutions aims to expand geographic reach, enhance product offerings, and accelerate growth across key markets. This strategic move is expected to bring about significant advancements in waste sorting and recycling innovation, making a positive impact on the environment and the economy.
- The strategic acquisition of S&B by Summa Equity, a renowned impact investor, is set to boost development finance in the waste sorting and recycling sector, with a focus on financial inclusion for companies committed to the circular economy.
- By combining S&B's expertise in air technology systems for waste separation and Bollegraaf's large-scale waste sorting and recycling solutions, the merged entity plans to drive innovation and social impact in environmental-science, particularly energy transition and tech-enabled resilience.
- In line with their commitment to the circular economy, the combined entity, Global Circular Solutions, aims to improve the efficiency of recycling processes through customized equipment made by both S&B and Bollegraaf, thereby reducing waste, promoting energy transition, and fostering environmental-science advancements.
- As part of the Summa Equity Fund III, an Article 9 fund focused on sustainable themes such as sustainable food, energy transition, and tech-enabled resilience, the investment in S&B signifies a commitment towards a more sustainable and efficient circular economy, contributing positively to both the environment and the economy.
