Waste & Recycling Update — Trends, Valuations, and M&A Activity in 2024
April 2025 — Kathrin Freitag
The fragmented waste and recycling sector is seeing increased M&A activity as inflation pressures and economies of scale push regional players toward consolidation. Circular economy goals are drawing strategic interest from adjacent industries, with major groups like Holcim, BASF, and SQM acquiring recycling assets to reduce reliance on raw materials. Institutional investors are also active, drawn by stable cash flows, sustainability tailwinds, and long asset lifespans, as seen in high-profile deals involving Urbaser and Renewi. Meanwhile, investment in automation, AI, and robotics is accelerating to boost efficiency and adapt to evolving waste streams.
Experts who worked on this publication
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