Industry

Biffa acquires Viridor’s collections business and certain recycling assets

Biffa yesterday (1 September) announced that it has completed its acquisition of the collections business and certain recycling assets from Viridor Waste Management Limited.

The deal sees Biffa expand its Industrial and Commerical (I&C) collections business and recycling capabilities, acquiring Viridor’s network of 15 I&C depots for business waste and bringing an additional 21,000 customers into the Group’s portfolio.

Viridor truckThe transaction also enables Biffa to extend its capability across its specialist services and resources and energy operations, adding eight further recycling assets and increasing its capabilities in wastewater collection and treatment.

Securing a long-term supply of aprpoximately 22,000 tonnes of plastic feedstock a year, Biffa states that the acquisition will strengthen its position as one of the largest recyclers of post-consumer material in the UK, reinforcing the Group’s position in closed-loop recycling.

Additionally, Biffa asserts, the deal will improve the Group’s position to meet upcoming regulatory changes to collections services including compulsory recycling and food waste, underpinned by evolving government policy.

When announcing the deal in May, Biffa stated that the acquisition would solidify commitments to its sustainability strategy, ‘Resourceful Responsible’, by improving its capability to support customers in increasing their recycling rates through enhanced flexibility of coverage and service.

Increased route density across its collections fleet, the company added, would also help to reduce fleet carbon emissions in line with the Group’s commitments.

Michael Topham, Chief Executive of Biffa, said: "The acquisition of Viridor's collections business and certain recycling assets is another significant step for Biffa, strengthening our leadership positions in a number of our core markets and accelerating the delivery of our growth strategy as we continue to leverage the Group's unique position at the heart of the circular economy.

"On behalf of everyone at Biffa, I'm delighted to officially welcome our new Viridor colleagues to the business and look forward to working together as we continue to pursue the exciting growth opportunities that lie ahead."

This follows the announcement made by SUEZ and Veolia in April, which saw the two waste management companies merge. Agreeing on a price of €20.50 (£17.71) per SUEZ share, the partnership stated that the combination agreement would create a ‘new SUEZ’ with revenues of €7bn.