M&As: SK Capital invests in PVOH film maker Ecopol; Next Generation invests in plastic waste treatment firm

SK Capital Partners, through its affiliates, has signed a strategic investment to acquire a majority interest in Italian water-soluble and biodegradable films manufacturer Ecopol.

SK Capital is a US-based private investment company that focuses on the speciality materials, ingredients, and life sciences sectors.

Following this deal, Ecopol CEO and controlling shareholder Mauro Carbone will continue to retain a significant stake in his company and will continue to serve as the CEO and largest individual shareholder of Ecopol.

The existing minority investor, global alternative asset management group Tikehau Capital, will also retain its minority stake.

The completion of this transaction is now subject to the fulfilment of certain customary regulatory conditions and approvals.

Carbone said: “SK Capital is the perfect partner for Ecopol given its differentiated industry expertise, strong experience in the North American market and track record of successful partnerships with entrepreneur-led businesses.”

Ecopol is headquartered in Chiesina Uzzanese, Italy, and specialises in manufacturing biodegradable films and delivery systems. It has production facilities in both the US and Italy.

The company said it is expecting rapid growth in the coming years, due to the increasing demand for innovative films by its customers to minimise their respective carbon emissions, plastic packaging, and water usage across the supply chain.

Last year in April, Ecopol announced a key investment for developing its first North American facility in Spalding County, Georgia.

SK Capital’s senior director Daniele Ferrari said: “We see tremendous opportunity for Ecopol to expand within its existing end markets and leverage its core competencies in biodegradable films to enter new applications, which will experience significant tailwinds as brand owners and consumers seek more sustainable solutions.”

In other news, Austrian recycling machine maker Next Generation Group (NGG) has acquired a majority share in HydroDyn, an engineering company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with a R&D and technology centre in Schwerin, Germany. Established in 2015 as a start-up, HydroDyn specialises in providing plastic waste treatment solutions centered around its core cleaning and purifying technologies, based on its HydroCleaner technology. Terms were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the agreement, HydroDyn will retain its operational independence while working closely with NGG. This collaboration will allow both companies to leverage their expertise and resources to deliver plastic recycling solutions that address the evolving needs of customers in the recycling machinery market. The shared objective is to prioritise the attainment of specific polymer characteristics that are essential for a diverse array of commodity applications, in order to effectively substitute virgin plastics.

The acquisition provides HydroDyn with access to NGG´s global network, unlocking new opportunities for growth and expansion.

NGG, an Austrian company founded in 2014 in Feldkirchen/Donau. The group comprises independent entities such as NGR, NGE, and shares in the NGA group including Collin Lab & Pilot Solutions, BritAS, and Comelt.

(PRA)

Subscribe to Get the Latest Updates from PRA  Please click here