EQT to acquire KJ Environment and affiliated companies

EQT Infrastructure VI has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KJ Environment and affiliated companies (collectively the "Platform") from Genesis Private Equity, an environmental and energy infrastructure specialist, to establish a scaled and diversified end-to-end waste treatment platform focused on plastic recycling and waste-to-energy in South Korea.

The Platform comprises an end-to-end business portfolio in the waste treatment value chain, with core competencies in recyclable waste sorting, plastic recycling and waste-to-energy capabilities. It has strategically located sites in the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area, serving catchment areas covering more than 50% of the country's population and its GDP.

- KJ Environment and affiliated companies to form an end-to-end business portfolio in the waste treatment value chain specialized in plastic recycling and waste-to-energy

- Global demand for recycled plastic is expected to accelerate due to strengthened regulations as well as voluntary commitments by companies in the private sector  

- EQT will help establish a scaled and diversified end-to-end waste treatment platform with a focus on circular economy infrastructure

The Platform is a leading plastic recycler in South Korea in terms of treated volume, with stable access to high-quality waste plastic feedstock and cutting-edge technology to produce advanced recycled plastics suitable for food and beverage products that involve human contact. As a result, the Platform is well-positioned to advance its leadership in waste treatment with a focus on circular economy infrastructure.

Global demand for recycled plastic is expected to accelerate due to strengthened regulations mandating its use across a myriad of products and applications as well as voluntary commitments in the private sector, most notably in consumer-packaged goods. Sorting plays a particularly critical role in South Korea's waste treatment value chain as all recyclable waste is aggregated and processed at sites before being transferred to recycling facilities.

The acquisition marks EQT's second infrastructure investment in South Korea, and is aligned with EQT's thematic approach to investing in climate-related infrastructure opportunities, supporting resource efficiency and a more circular economy. EQT is committed to working closely with KJ Environment and the affiliated companies to provide both capital and operational support to deepen and expand its customer partnerships, introduce automated machinery and digital solutions, and continue to build trust within the communities it serves.

Sang Jun Suh, Partner in the EQT Infrastructure Advisory Team, commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with KJ Environment and its talented management team. We look forward to applying EQT's extensive experience investing in sustainable waste and recycling solutions across geographies, combined with our strong local footprint and industrial network, to help KJ Environment elevate into a true market leader in the waste treatment space. This investment also marks EQT's latest milestone in South Korea, a market we believe holds tremendous potential and is strategically important to our regional investment strategy."

The Platform adds to EQT's global portfolio of companies which engage in waste-related business and builds on EQT's track record of supporting infrastructure companies in the Asia Pacific region. Since 2020, EQT Infrastructure has committed EUR 5 billion of equity, including co-investment, in Asia Pacific companies. The portfolio managed by EQT's infrastructure team in Asia Pacific employs approximately 11,000 people.

EQT has been investing in South Korea since 2009 and views the market as a key part of the firm's Asia Pacific strategy across infrastructure, private equity, and real estate investing. EQT Infrastructure looks to support South Korean businesses in achieving their growth and operational objectives by leveraging the expertise of EQT's global sector teams, in-house expert capabilities within sustainability and digitalization, and global network of Industrial Advisors.