The waste management industry in Benelux is a crucial component of environmental sustainability. It encompasses a wide range of companies focusing on waste collection, treatment, recycling, and disposal. As awareness of climate issues increases, these firms are innovating to improve efficiency and reduce waste. New technologies, such as waste-to-energy processes and advanced recycling methods, are on the rise. Moreover, regulatory pressures call for more stringent waste management practices, pushing companies to adapt quickly. With a growing emphasis on the circular economy, the industry is projected to shift towards integrated waste solutions and sustainable practices, opening doors for transformative investments.


The investors listed here include a mix of venture capital firms, private equity groups, and corporate entities from Benelux. Their headquarters are spread out across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, showcasing regional strengths in waste management. Founded between 1958 and 2021, these investors range significantly in size, with many employing over 1,000 personnel. While focused on direct impacts, they recorded varied deal counts in 2024, highlighting an active engagement in opportunities relevant to sustainability and waste management innovations. Their investments signal a collective commitment to fostering advancing solutions within this imperative sector.


Top 13 Waste Management Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in significant transactions within the waste management context, particularly with Sensoneo, a Slovak startup that specializes in smart waste management solutions. The EIC has supported Sensoneo through multiple funding rounds, including a grant and several venture rounds, which have collectively raised over €10 million. This support highlights the EIC's role in promoting innovative solutions in the waste management industry, making it a relevant investor in this sector.


2. InnoEnergy

  • Website: innoenergy.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: innoenergy

EIT InnoEnergy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2010, based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, dedicated to accelerating sustainable energy innovations. It serves as a marketplace for energy solutions, offering training programs and support for innovators and corporates in the energy sector. InnoEnergy collaborates with various stakeholders to tackle the challenges of energy transition and sustainability. Notably, InnoEnergy has invested in companies like Naoden, which is developing waste-to-energy technology, and Bin-e, which provides smart waste management solutions. These investments highlight InnoEnergy's commitment to fostering innovations that not only advance energy solutions but also address critical waste management issues.


3. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. EIB's mission is to promote growth and job creation through funding initiatives that align with sustainability goals. In recent years, EIB has been involved in several transactions relevant to the waste management sector, such as providing debt financing to Hera Group, which raised $516,988,698 in July 2023, and Iren SpA, which raised $214,942,594 in June 2024. These companies are key players in waste management and environmental services, highlighting EIB's commitment to supporting projects that contribute to sustainable waste management practices.


4. Eurofins

  • Website: eurofins.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: eurofins

Eurofins Scientific SE is a leading laboratory testing company founded in 1987, headquartered in Luxembourg. With a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees and a global presence across 62 countries, Eurofins specializes in a wide range of analytical and testing services across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and environmental sectors. The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in environmental testing, which is crucial for waste management. Notable transactions include the acquisition of TestAmerica Environmental Services LLC, a significant player in environmental testing, for $175 million in 2018. This acquisition was aimed at bolstering Eurofins' environmental testing services. Additionally, Eurofins acquired ERICo, a leading independent laboratory for environmental testing in Slovenia, and Chemtest Limited, which focuses on creating a leading environmental testing laboratory in the UK and Ireland. These acquisitions reflect Eurofins' commitment to expanding its footprint in the environmental sector, which is integral to effective waste management practices.


5. EIT Food

  • Website: eitfood.eu
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 37
  • LinkedIn: eit-food

EIT Food is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2016, based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium. It focuses on transforming the food system through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. EIT Food supports agrifood startups and entrepreneurs by providing resources, funding opportunities, and educational programs aimed at creating healthier and sustainable food solutions. Notably, EIT Food has participated in funding rounds for startups like Orbisk, which is dedicated to fighting food waste. In 2021, EIT Food participated in a €1.05 million Seed round for Orbisk, and in 2024, they were involved in a Series A funding round for the same company, raising over $8 million. This involvement highlights EIT Food's commitment to addressing food waste, a significant aspect of waste management.


6. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects that contribute to societal transitions, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. They mobilize capital from various sources to make impactful investments aimed at fostering a more sustainable economy. Notably, Invest-NL has been involved in several transactions relevant to waste management, including a €10 million investment in Seenons, which focuses on waste management solutions. They also invested €13 million in PRYME BV, a company dedicated to combating plastic waste through innovative pyrolysis processes. Additionally, their investment in Paques Biomaterials, which aims to produce biopolymers as alternatives to plastic, further underscores their commitment to addressing waste-related challenges.


7. Fashion for Good

  • Website: fashionforgood.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: fashionforgood

Fashion for Good is a not-for-profit organization based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2017. It is dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation in the fashion industry by connecting innovators with brands, retailers, and manufacturers to drive change towards a regenerative industry. The organization provides support, mentorship, and resources to empower its network in adopting sustainable practices. Notably, Fashion for Good has been involved in several transactions relevant to waste management, including investments in BlockTexx, an Australian textile recycling company that raised AU$7 million in a Series B funding round to scale its technology and expand its textile recovery facility. Additionally, they have invested in Reverse Resources, which focuses on improving textile waste management. These transactions highlight Fashion for Good's commitment to addressing waste issues within the fashion sector, making them a relevant player in the waste management landscape.


8. Mutares Benelux

  • Website: mutares.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: mutares-benelux

Mutares Benelux, a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, was founded in 2021 and is part of Mutares SE & Co. KGaA. The firm specializes in acquiring and managing companies in transition, providing operational support and consulting services to enhance profitability and growth across various sectors, including automotive, technology, and retail. Notably, Mutares has made significant strides in the waste management sector with its recent acquisition of GDL Anläggning & Miljö AB, a company generating around EUR 100 million in revenues in FY 2023. This acquisition is part of Mutares' strategy to strengthen its Goods & Services segment, indicating a clear interest in the waste management industry. Other transactions, such as the acquisitions of Sofinter Group, Guascor Energy, and Asteri Facility Solutions AB, showcase Mutares' diverse investment portfolio, but it is the GDL acquisition that highlights their relevance in waste management.


9. Infinity Recycling


Infinity Recycling is a corporate investor based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The company specializes in advanced recycling technologies that convert end-of-life waste into valuable commodities, specifically targeting the growing plastic waste crisis. Their operations emphasize sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. In 2022, Infinity Recycling led a €5 million investment in Itero, a company focused on chemical recycling solutions, to support the construction of its first demonstration plant. In 2023, they participated in a €13 million funding round for PRYME BV, aimed at expediting the implementation of pyrolysis processes to combat plastic waste. Additionally, in 2024, they led a Series B funding round for Polystyvert, contributing to the construction of a commercial plant in Québec. These transactions highlight Infinity Recycling's active role in the waste management industry and its commitment to innovative recycling solutions.


10. Triton Partners


Triton Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in private equity and credit investments in European mid-market businesses, focusing on sectors such as Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare. Triton provides operational expertise and capital to help companies unlock their full potential, partnering with management teams to address challenges and drive growth. Notably, Triton has been involved in significant transactions in the waste management sector, including the acquisition of Befesa, a leading provider of industrial waste management and recycling services, for EUR 1.075 billion in 2013. This acquisition highlights Triton's strategic interest in the waste management industry, alongside their other investments in various sectors such as oil services and marine technology.


11. Rockstart

  • Website: rockstart.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: rockstart

Rockstart is a startup accelerator and investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2011. They empower early-stage founders across various sectors, including AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology, by providing investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Rockstart's business model emphasizes supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs to drive positive change. Notably, they have co-invested in Biotic Circular Technologies, a company focused on circular economy solutions, in a €2m seed round. This investment highlights their engagement in initiatives that can impact waste management positively. Additionally, Rockstart has been involved in other startups like Clairify and Reduced, which, while not directly related to waste management, showcase their active role in supporting innovative solutions across different sectors.


12. Rubio Impact Ventures


Rubio Impact Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in impact investing, providing growth capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs tackling significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education, emphasizing collaboration with portfolio companies. Notably, Rubio Impact Ventures has participated in transactions such as Black Bear Carbon, which raised over $12 million to recycle tires, and Vytal, a startup focused on reusable packaging solutions, which raised significant funding in multiple rounds. These investments reflect their commitment to addressing environmental issues, including waste management.


13. Brightlands Venture Partners


Brightlands Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in Geleen, Limburg, Netherlands, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in investing in innovative startups that focus on health and sustainability. They provide venture capital and advisory services to help these startups tackle complex societal challenges. In recent years, Brightlands has made significant investments in companies that align with waste management and sustainability goals. For instance, they led a €1 million Seed investment in ReSolved Technologies, which is dedicated to developing sustainable recycling solutions. They also invested in Greencovery, a startup that helps the food industry reduce waste, with a funding of €500K. Additionally, their involvement in Black Bear Carbon, which is focused on carbon recycling, highlights their commitment to waste management initiatives. Overall, Brightlands Venture Partners is actively supporting the development of solutions that contribute to a circular economy and waste reduction.



Waste Management Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
InnoEnergyEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands201-500201052
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
EurofinsLuxembourg10001+19878
EIT FoodLeuven, Flanders, Belgium51-200201637
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
Fashion for GoodAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020173
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116
Infinity RecyclingRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands1-1020203
Triton PartnersLuxembourg201-50019976
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
Brightlands Venture PartnersGeleen, Limburg, Netherlands11-5020044


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