Giant step for EKOPAK with acquisition of GWE, specialized in solutions for industrial wastewater
14 September 2023
Ekopak, a company specializing in decentralized, circular water solutions, announces the acquisition of Global Water & Energy (GWE), a privately held company headquartered in Bruges, Belgium, with subsidiaries in Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. GWE specializes in solutions for industrial wastewater treatment, water reuse and green energy production.
Strong geographical and technological complementarity
This acquisition provides exceptional geographic, cross-sector and technological complementarity. GWE is mainly active on the international market, largely outside Europe, while Ekopak has established itself mainly in Western Europe.
With this acquisition Ekopak becomes a full solution partner and a global player in the field of water reuse. This partnership allows Ekopak & GWE to meet the needs of the industry, ensure the availability of water of the highest quality while meeting stringent local discharge standards.
In terms of expertise, GWE is strong in the field of wastewater treatment, while Ekopak is enormously versed in the field of circular water use. Both companies will continue to operate under their own names, but will approach the market together when appropriate.
Pieter Loose, CEO Ekopak: “The sector offers enormous opportunities, but it is evolving rapidly. Responding in a timely manner requires broad expertise and a certain scale. Together, we can play a leading role in the current wave of consolidation within the sector. There is an unseen complementarity between GWE and Ekopak. In terms of expertise, GWE’s strength lies in wastewater treatment, while Ekopak is enormously skilled in the field of circular water use. We notice more and more that our customers are looking for both solutions. We also complement each other perfectly geographically. The integration of both companies offers us a unique opportunity, at the most opportune moment in the evolution of the sector. The time is now! We go for it!”
Uli Ombregt, CEO Global Water & Energy: “Both Ekopak and GWE have large branches of international companies as customers. The successes we achieve at these sites prompt those groups to implement similar solutions in other locations around the world. Our cooperation puts us at the forefront for this. The opportunities are endless… For example, GWE has many major customers in the brewing and food sectors, while Ekopak has a foothold in many multinationals in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. From now on we can pool our expertise and offer joint solutions for all these companies, in all these industrial sectors. GWE’s DNA and corporate culture fit perfectly with those of Ekopak. In terms of teamwork, it will definitely be a flying start.”
Ekopak acquires 100% of the shares of the GWE Group, which from now on will be included in Ekopak’s consolidation scope. With this acquisition, group sales for Ekopak for 2023 are expected to be EUR 35-38 million (group sales 2022: EUR 18 million). The Ekopak group employs about 230 people in total.
GWE, a hidden gem
GWE offers high-quality water treatment and wastewater treatment technologies adapted to each customer’s specific situation. Jean-Pierre Ombregt, a pioneer in modern anaerobic wastewater treatment and active in that sector since 1972, founded Global Water & Energy in 1991. Over the years, GWE has developed an extensive network of qualified local partners in more than 20 countries and currently operates worldwide through regional offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Thailand and the US. Although water treatment is still GWE’s main business, the group is also active in water reuse, biogas valorization, odor control and biomass energy. GWE has a loyal customer base of reputable international companies from diverse sectors such as beer and beverage, food, pulp and paper, waste treatment and energy, distilleries and biofuels.
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