Venture capital firm Summa Equity invests in a company specializing in air technology systems
In a strategic move, Swedish impact investor Summa Equity has taken a majority stake in Schulz & Berger Luft-und Verfahrenstechnik (S&B), a German company specializing in air systems technology. This investment follows Summa Equity's acquisition of Bollegraaf, a Dutch company that designs and manufactures recycling and sorting systems, last year.
The synergy between Summa Equity's investment in S&B and Bollegraaf lies in their complementary capabilities in waste sorting and recycling technology. This synergy strengthens their position as leaders in innovation within the circular economy sector.
Bollegraaf is a turnkey solutions provider for recycling and sorting facilities, covering household waste sorting systems widely used in Europe and North America. On the other hand, S&B specializes in air technology for plant engineering, including waste separation systems (air classifiers), dust extraction, and air systems for composting plants. With a strong presence in the DACH region, S&B's capabilities complement Bollegraaf's sorting solutions, broadening their technological ecosystem in waste sorting and recycling innovation.
By integrating S&B as a sister company to Bollegraaf under Global Circular Solutions, Summa Equity leverages the industrial synergies between their product ranges and markets. This integration complements Bollegraaf’s sorting solutions with S&B’s advanced air technology systems, enabling them to offer more comprehensive, efficient, and technologically advanced waste management solutions globally.
In 2024, S&B generated €30m in revenue. With over 160 full-time staff across its sites and affiliated entities, S&B designs, manufactures, installs, and services air technology systems, including air classifiers and dust extraction systems. These systems are primarily used in waste management and recycling facilities, minimizing health risks, machine wear, and environmental impacts in various industries.
The merger of S&B and Bollegraaf aims to expand their geographic reach, enhance product offerings, and accelerate growth across key markets. As part of Global Circular Solutions, a holding company focused on the circular economy, alongside Bollegraaf, S&B will contribute to Summa Equity's thematic focus, which includes sustainable food, energy transition, tech-enabled resilience, and circularity.
With this strategic investment, Summa Equity forms a stronger, more diverse waste equipment platform to accelerate innovation and growth in circular economy technologies, making them more competitive and able to meet evolving demands in recycling and waste sorting.
- Summa Equity, with its emphasis on development finance and social impact, aims to accelerate innovation and growth in circular economy technologies through its strategic investment in S&B and Bollegraaf.
- S&B's specialization in energy-efficient air technology for plant engineering, including waste separation systems, aligns with the global focus on energy transition and environmental-science.
- The financial inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in waste management and recycling industries can be enhanced by the synergy between Summa Equity, S&B, and Bollegraaf, whose complementary capabilities can lead to more comprehensive, efficient, and technologically advanced waste management solutions.
- As S&B contributes to Summa Equity's thematic focus on the circular economy, it is expected to expand its geographic reach, enhance product offerings, and develop advanced waste management solutions that minimize environmental impacts and promote financial inclusion for various industries.
