December 2024 saw the French group Paprec increase its stake in the Swiss waste management company Helvetia Environnement to 67 per cent, after having acquired a minority holding in the Swiss company in January of last year. The French recycling group did not disclose the value of either of the two transactions.
According to Paprec, Helvetia Environnement, which was founded by the Chavaz family, currently has over 500 employees and processes more than 300,000 tonnes of waste per year.
The new acquisition will be merged with Paprec’s existing activities in Switzerland, operating under the umbrella of the newly formed Paprec Swiss group. According to the French company, this will make it the Swiss waste management market leader. Jean-Luc Petithuguenin, President of Paprec International, will be taking on the role of chairman of the board of directors of the Paprec Swiss Group.
Investors hold one third of the new Paprec Swiss Group
Some 33 percent of Paprec Swiss group’s enterprise capital is held by investors, according to information provided by the parent concern. "We are working with the Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland 3 KmGK infrastructure fund from Swiss Life Asset Managers as well as with UBS and the Reichmuth Infrastructure Switzerland KmGK infrastructure fund, whose fund manager is Reichmuth & Co Infrastructure," said Mr Petithuguenin.
Prior to the acquisition, Paprec’s Swiss operations included the subsidiaries Lottner, Lopatex, E Müller, Data Ex 4000, Rewag and Reisswolf, with seven locations in German-speaking Switzerland and Geneva and a total of 250 employees, the company reports. Annual turnover is estimated at CHF70m, or around €75m.
According to Paprec, the takeover of Helvetia Environment will increase its turnover in Switzerland to around €200m per year and take the number of employees to 700 and the total volume of waste handled to 550,000 tonnes per year. The acquisition represents an important expansion of Paprec's footprint, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland, taking the company’s reach to a total of 22 locations.
"The strengthening of Paprec’s role within Helvetia Environnement will accelerate investments in modern machinery, equipment and vehicles," the French company reported. "The merger of Paprec Switzerland and Helvetia Environnement creates real added value for our customers. Our goal is to make Switzerland a model region for the circular economy in Europe," said Mr Petithuguenin, adding that Paprec’s expertise in recycling and decarbonization will be crucial in supporting Helvetia Environnement.
Parent group Paprec reported an annual turnover of around €3bn in 2023, handling some 16 million tonnes of waste. The company has 350 locations in ten countries and employs 16,000 people.
The company entered the Swiss market in 2010 following the takeover of Basel-based waste paper trader Lottner and its subsidiaries Lopatex and Müller. That transaction was Paprec’s first acquisition outside its domestic market France.
