Van Gansewinkel Group to Acquire Veolia’s Belgium Solid Waste Business

The recycling and waste management company Van Gansewinkel Group, based in Belgium, has signed an agreement to acquire the Belgian solid waste business from Veolia Environmental Services, based in France.

The operation is being financed with funds from two private equity firms, CVC Capital Partners and Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts.

Ruud Sondag, chairman of Van Gansewinkel Groep’s board, says, “This operation ties in perfectly with our strategy, which aims among other things to strengthen our position in the Benelux (Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands) countries. By taking this major step together with our shareholders we have now definitely started out on the road to growth. The acquisition will further strengthen our balance sheet position.”

Veolia’s Belgium solid waste operations were acquired from Biffa by Veolia in 2006. The assets include nine sites with a landfill site in Waals-Brabant. According to Van Gansewinkel, the acquired sites will be integrated into the three regions of Van Gansewinkel in Belgium.

Wouter Dewulf, director of Van Gansewinkel Belgium, France, Luxembourg, says, “This operation brings together two players on the Belgian waste and environmental management market. Together we want to give as much waste as possible a second life in the form of raw materials. The activities of the two parties complement each other and the companies also complement one another in a geographical sense, which will increase efficiency that will benefit customers. In Belgium we are now well positioned to achieve further growth.”

Van Gansewinkel Groep operates in nine countries (the three Benelux countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany and Portugal). With its subsidiaries – Van Gansewinkel, Coolrec, Maltha and AVR – Van Gansewinkel Groep is involved in all facets of the waste management industry.