Private equity firm, Summa Equity, invests in a company focusing on air technology systems.
Schulz & Berger Luft- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, a German company specializing in air technology systems, has received a significant investment from Swedish impact investor Summa Equity. This investment will help Schulz & Berger expand its geographic reach, enhance product offerings, and accelerate growth across key markets.
Based in Altenburg, Schulz & Berger designs and manufactures a range of specialized air technology systems. These include air classifiers (waste separation systems), dust extraction systems, activated carbon filters, supply and exhaust air systems, and air piping systems for composting plants. These systems are engineered to aid waste management and recycling processes by efficiently separating waste materials via air flow, controlling dust emissions, filtering harmful substances, and managing air flow in composting operations.
The air classifiers help separate different waste fractions based on density and aerodynamic properties, which improves the sorting and recycling of materials. Dust extraction and activated carbon filters help maintain cleaner air quality during waste processing, protecting worker health and the environment.
Schulz & Berger's systems are particularly valuable in the context of the circular economy. Their air sorting and dedusting technologies complement broader sorting and recycling plant engineering solutions, enhancing efficiency and innovation in waste sorting and recycling facilities, especially in the DACH region and increasingly in Europe and North America.
In addition to its air technology systems, Schulz & Berger offers ventilation systems for industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. The company's ventilation systems business represents about a quarter of its turnover.
The investment was made through the €2.3bn Summa Equity Fund III. With this investment, Schulz & Berger will be part of Global Circular Solutions, a holding company focused on the circular economy, alongside Bollegraaf, a Dutch company acquired by Summa Equity last year.
There are industrial synergies between S&B and Bollegraaf, as well as technical synergies between dust extraction and ventilation systems that can be leveraged as the company grows. The companies aim to leverage these synergies to drive innovation and growth in the waste sorting and recycling sector.
Schulz & Berger employs 160 full-time staff and generated €30m in revenue in 2024. With the new investment, the company is poised to expand its operations and continue its mission of improving waste management and recycling processes through innovative air technology systems.
[1] Schulz & Berger Website [2] Summa Equity Website [3] Global Circular Solutions Website [4] Bollegraaf Website
- The blended finance investment from Summa Equity into Schulz & Berger will be utilized to advance the energy transition in the waste management and recycling industry, as the company expands its geographic reach, enhances product offerings, and accelerates growth across key markets.
- With the financial backing from Summa Equity Fund III, Schulz & Berger will become part of Global Circular Solutions, a holding company focusing on the circular economy, thus forging synergies with other companies like Bollegraaf to drive innovation and growth in the waste sorting and recycling sector.
- By leveraging technology in its air classifiers, dust extraction systems, activated carbon filters, and ventilation systems, Schulz & Berger is positioned to contribute significantly to the development finance for sustainable business practices in the waste management, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors, spearheading the circular economy movement.
