Major changes are underway within the European waste management and recycling industry. The French Paprec Group is set to acquire an 80 percent stake in Brantner Green Solutions, an Austrian environmental and waste management firm. This significant transaction targets the division of the long-established Krems-based Brantner company.
The Brantner family will retain the remaining 20 percent of the shares. They plan to actively support the ongoing transformation process. This deal is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2026, pending standard regulatory approvals.
For Paprec, a prominent French recycling leader, this acquisition marks a pivotal expansion. It signifies their entry into five new national markets. These include Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Serbia. The acquisition of Brantner Green Solutions significantly boosts Paprec’s operational footprint.
Brantner Green Solutions currently operates with approximately 2,500 employees. It manages 65 facilities and locations. Moreover, the company generates annual revenue exceeding 320 million euros. It serves over 28,000 municipal, industrial, and commercial customers.
Paprec CEO Mathieu Petithuguenin described the agreement as a key milestone. He highlighted the group’s broader European growth strategy. This marks Paprec’s largest acquisition since its 2016 merger with the Coved Group. Therefore, it represents a substantial step forward.
Once this acquisition completes, Paprec will employ around 26,000 people. Its operations will span 15 countries. Annual revenue is projected to surpass 4.5 billion euros. This scale underlines the strategic importance of the deal.
The Brantner family, who founded their company in 1936, has cultivated it over generations. They transformed it into a leading circular economy enterprise. After a nearly two-year exploratory process, the owners unanimously decided on the French partnership. Bernd Brantner, who will continue as vice chairman of the restructured company, emphasized its importance.
“Together, we are not only securing our company’s long-term development but also laying the groundwork for immense growth opportunities,” Brantner stated. The future development of the environmental division requires substantial investments. These can now be implemented more efficiently with the new strategic partner.
It is important to note this transaction applies solely to the environmental and waste management division. The Brantner Logistic Solutions and Brantner Real Estate business units will remain wholly owned by the Brantner family. They will continue to operate as independent entities.
