Corporate | 12 December 2014 07:30


AURELIUS acquires ECO Plastics


AURELIUS AG / Key word(s): Acquisition

12.12.2014 / 07:30


AURELIUS acquires ECO Plastics

Munich/London, 12 December 2014 – AURELIUS (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8), the listed mid-market pan-European investor, today announces its acquisition of ECO Plastics (“the Company”), a reprocessor of recyclable materials. In line with its standard investment approach, AURELIUS will supply both its highly specialised operational improvement capabilities and financial support to the Company’s current operations, with a core focus on the long-term strategic development of the business. The financial terms of the deal are not disclosed.

Hemswell-based ECO Plastics operates one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated plastic reprocessing plants, capable of sorting 150,000 tonnes of mixed bottles per year and representing around 35% of the total UK bottle collection in the UK every year. Since 2000, ECO Plastics has played a leading role in the UK’s plastics recycling sector with the development of new recycled plastic (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate – rPET) products, which have delivered value to local authorities and the waste management industry through feedstock contracting, and by working in partnership with major companies.

Tristan Nagler, Managing Director of AURELIUS in London said:
“AURELIUS is delighted to have acquired ECO Plastics which has a strong position in the UK marketplace. For customers, suppliers and partners it will be business as usual, and we are committed to working with the Company to deliver long term, sustainable growth. AURELIUS has a strong track record in the industrials sector, providing both operational improvement as well as financial support to businesses. We are extremely excited about the future prospects of this business.”

ECO Plastics’ Founder and Deputy Chairman Jonathan Short, commented:
“This news is not just a vote of confidence in the future of ECO Plastics, but a vote of confidence in the promising future of the UK’s fast growing recycling sector. Working with AURELIUS will take the ECO Plastics story to the next level. This new owner will not only bring in new expertise and financial resources, but also a shared commitment to the development of a more sustainable, circular economy in the UK.”

ECO Plastics’ CEO, Chris Brown, added:
“We are looking forward to working closely with AURELIUS as we enter this new chapter of the ECO Plastics story. Their involvement will bring significant operational expertise and financial support that will move the world’s largest and most sophisticated plastics reprocessing plant to another level, building on its position at the forefront of the UK’s plastics recycling sector.”

AURELIUS has a strong track record in the plastics sector. Previous investments in this space include AURELIUS’ acquisition of Wellman International, Europe’s largest recycler of PET bottles and a leading producer of polyester staple fibre products.

Ends

For more information
AURELIUS
UK Germany
Zinka Bozovic, Instinctif Partners
Phone +44 (0)207 457 2821
zinka.bozovic@instinctif.com
Anke Banaschewski, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Phone +49 (89) 544799 – 0
investor@aureliusinvest.de

ECO Plastics

Edward Gill, FTI Consulting
Phone +44 (0)203 727 1196
Edward.Gill@fticonsulting.com

About AURELIUS

– AURELIUS Group is a mid-market pan-European investor focused on value creation through operational improvement.

– AURELIUS employs more than 70 professionals and has offices in Munich, London, Stockholm and Madrid, with portfolio companies operating throughout Europe.

– AURELIUS has particularly strong capabilities in the Industrials, Chemicals, Business Services, TMT and Consumer sectors and targets Pan-European private and public companies with revenues from £30m to £750m.

– Shares of AURELIUS AG are listed in the m:access segment of the Munich Stock Exchange and are traded on all German stock exchanges under ISIN DE000A0JK2A8.

– www.aureliusinvest.com

About ECO Plastics

– ECO Plastics is one of Europe’s leading ethical plastic bottle recycler. The business began re-processing post-consumer plastics in 2006 and has over the past five years invested over £17m to quadruple its processing capacity and triple the factory footprint. During early 2009 it became the first UK company to receive food grade accreditation for its rPET resin.

– ECO Plastics’ Hemswell plant is one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated plastics recycling facility, capable of processing 150,000 tonnes of mixed plastics a year, including 40,000 tonnes of bottle-grade rPET pellet.

– ECO Plastics’ superior cleaning technology allows the company to make the most use of the plastic it sorts, producing 12 different streams of plastic, including food-grade PET. Virtually no waste is left over. Independent research has shown that ECO Plastics’ process is 68% less carbon intensive than using virgin plastics for packaging.

– For further information please visit www.ecoplasticsltd.com





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