The scrap metal recycling industry in the DACH region focuses on recovering and repurposing metal waste, transforming it into valuable resources. Companies range from large corporations involved in extensive recycling operations to innovative startups devising new technologies for more efficient processing. The industry leverages advanced machinery and sustainable practices to reduce environmental impacts while also contributing to the circular economy. With increasing demand for recycled materials driven by construction and automotive sectors, the market is evolving. Interesting developments include the rise of tech-driven recycling solutions that optimize operations and improve quality, making recycling more efficient and beneficial for both the economy and the planet.


The investors featured here represent a mix of corporate and venture capital entities, with headquarters spanning major hubs in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Ranging from well-established corporations like Wieland Group to emerging venture capital firms such as Possible Ventures, their investment sizes vary significantly, reflecting their strategic goals. Founded between the 1950s and 2021, these investors are actively engaging in the recycling sector, with 2024 deal counts ranging from only a few to over forty. This illustrates a robust interest and commitment to advancing the scrap metal recycling sector across the DACH region.


Top 15 Scrap Metal Recycling Investors in DACH


1. Wieland Group

  • Website: wieland.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1820
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: wielandgroup

Wieland Group is a prominent manufacturer specializing in semi-finished products made from copper and copper alloys, serving various industries such as automotive and aerospace. Founded in 1820 and based in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the company has a global presence and emphasizes sustainability and innovation in its offerings. In recent years, Wieland Group has made significant acquisitions to enhance its position in the metal supply industry. Notably, they acquired Farmers Copper, Ltd. in July 2023, a leading metal supply company, which aims to expand their North American footprint. Additionally, their acquisition of Diversified Metals, Inc. in November 2018 and Concast Metal Products Co. in January 2024 further solidifies their commitment to enhancing their distribution and service network in the premium copper and copper alloy market. These transactions highlight Wieland Group's strategic focus on the metal supply chain, which includes aspects of scrap metal recycling.


2. Speedinvest

  • Website: speedinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 45
  • LinkedIn: speedinvest

Speedinvest is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in funding early-stage tech startups across Europe, providing both capital and hands-on support to help these companies scale. Their investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Recently, Speedinvest has participated in significant transactions related to recycling, such as their investment in Cylib, which raised funds for establishing a lithium battery recycling facility, and their involvement in Resourcify, a waste management and recycling platform that has processed over 500,000 tonnes of waste. These investments highlight Speedinvest's engagement in the recycling industry, particularly in innovative solutions that align with sustainability goals.


3. Glencore

  • Website: glencore.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: glencore

Glencore plc is a multinational commodity trading and mining company based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, founded in 1978. With over 10,000 employees, Glencore operates across various sectors, including metals, minerals, and energy. The company is known for supplying essential commodities such as copper and cobalt, which are critical for various industries. In recent years, Glencore has made significant investments in the recycling sector, notably investing $200 million in Li-Cycle, a battery recycling company, as part of a larger supply deal. This investment highlights Glencore's commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing, as it seeks to support the recycling of valuable metals. Additionally, Glencore's involvement in other transactions, such as those with Cyprium Metals and Capstone, further emphasizes its active role in the metals industry, which is closely related to scrap metal recycling.


4. ALPLA Group

  • Website: alpla.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria
  • Founded year: 1955
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: alpla

ALPLA Group, founded in 1955 and based in Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria, is a leading packaging manufacturer specializing in innovative plastic packaging solutions for various industries, including food, beverage, beauty care, and pharmaceuticals. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, ALPLA operates globally and emphasizes sustainability and customer satisfaction. Notably, ALPLA has expanded its recycling capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of Texplast, one of Germany's largest PET bottle recyclers, which they announced on March 23, 2022. This move not only enhances their recycling portfolio but also demonstrates their commitment to sustainable practices. Additionally, their acquisition of other companies, such as Verigreen Packaging and Wolf Plastics, further illustrates their strategy to grow in the packaging and recycling sectors, making them a significant player in the recycling landscape.


5. Mercuria


Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. is a global energy trading company based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2004. While primarily focused on crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy, Mercuria has diversified its investment portfolio to include sustainable projects and recycling initiatives. Notably, they participated in a $12.5 million Series A financing round for Nth Cycle, a company that aims to deploy recycling facilities for metals, highlighting their commitment to the recycling sector. Additionally, Mercuria has invested significantly in TechMet, a company securing key metals for renewable energy applications, and has acquired N+P Group, a specialist in industrial residues recycling. These transactions illustrate Mercuria's strategic interest in the recycling industry, particularly in the context of metal recovery and sustainability.


6. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has a small team of 1-10 members and has made 9 investments in 2024. One of their notable investments is in tozero, a Munich-based startup specializing in recycling lithium-ion batteries, which raised €3.5 million in a pre-seed round. This investment highlights Possible Ventures' engagement in the recycling industry, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in sustainability. Additionally, they have participated in other funding rounds, such as FLO.materials and HyperHeat, indicating a diverse investment portfolio that may include interests in environmental technologies.


7. bmp Ventures

  • Website: bmp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: bmpventures

bmp Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth startups across various innovative sectors, providing not only financial resources but also strategic advisory services to help startups navigate their growth journey. Notably, bmp Ventures has participated in significant transactions within the recycling sector, including investments in Saperatec, a recycling startup that collaborates with Henkel to offer dedicated recycling solutions, and Solar Materials, which aims to establish an industrial recycling line with a capacity of 4,500 tons. These investments highlight bmp Ventures' engagement in the recycling industry, particularly in innovative recycling technologies.


8. Heidelberg Materials


Heidelberg Materials, founded in 1873 and based in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a prominent building materials manufacturer specializing in cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, and asphalt. The company serves a diverse clientele in construction and infrastructure development, providing reliable and sustainable materials to meet the growing demands of housing and economic development. Notably, Heidelberg Materials has made significant strides in the recycling sector, particularly through its acquisition of Alex Fraser Group in 2018, a leading provider of recycled construction materials and asphalt in Australia. This acquisition not only enhanced their market position in Melbourne and Brisbane but also underscored their commitment to sustainable practices. Additionally, their ongoing acquisitions, such as the planned acquisition of ACE Group, further demonstrate their strategic focus on integrating recycled materials into their operations, aligning with the principles of sustainability and resource efficiency.


9. Blue Earth Capital AG


Blue Earth Capital AG is an impact investment firm founded in 2015, based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland. The firm focuses on addressing environmental and social challenges through investments in private equity, private credit, and partnerships. They serve institutional investors and organizations seeking to achieve market-rate financial returns while making a measurable impact. In 2024, Blue Earth Capital made a significant minority investment in NEPRA Resource Management, a company involved in waste management and recycling in India, marking their first climate-focused private equity investment in the country. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for AMP Robotics, a company that utilizes robotics and AI to enhance recycling processes. These transactions highlight Blue Earth Capital's commitment to sustainable practices and their active role in the recycling industry.


10. Vorwerk Ventures


Vorwerk Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, including consumer products, food, health, and climate. Vorwerk Ventures provides seed and Series A funding, along with follow-on investments, to support innovative companies that aim to create a positive impact. Notably, they led a €14M Series A investment in Resourcify, a waste management and recycling platform that has processed over 500,000 tonnes of waste and is focused on enhancing its SaaS offerings and expanding its market leadership. This investment highlights Vorwerk Ventures' engagement in the recycling industry, particularly in waste management, which is relevant to the scrap metal recycling sector.


11. startup300 AG

  • Website: startup300.at
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Linz, Upper Austria, Austria
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: startup300

startup300 AG is an investment management and consulting firm based in Linz, Upper Austria, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in supporting startups and innovative companies, primarily in the technology and innovation sectors. They provide investment management services and consulting to help businesses navigate growth challenges. Notably, startup300 AG was involved in the Pre-Seed round investment for Schrott24, a company focused on scrap metal recycling, which highlights their engagement in this sector despite their broader focus on technology. This transaction demonstrates their capability and interest in supporting businesses within the scrap metal recycling industry.


12. EGGER Group

  • Website: egger.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Sankt Johann, Tyrol, Austria
  • Founded year: 1961
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: eggergroupgermany

EGGER Group is a corporate investor based in Sankt Johann, Tyrol, Austria, specializing in the manufacturing of wood-based panel products, including laminate and design flooring. Founded in 1961, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people and operates multiple production sites globally. In recent years, EGGER has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its sustainability initiatives. Notably, in January 2023, they acquired Novem Industries Inc., a wood recycling facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, which aims to bolster their sustainability efforts and market position in North America. Additionally, in December 2022, they acquired a 60% stake in SAIB, an Italian manufacturer of wood-based materials, further emphasizing their commitment to sustainable practices and growth in the European market. These transactions reflect EGGER's focus on integrating recycling into their operations, which aligns with the broader goals of resource recovery and sustainability.


13. eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS


eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS is a venture capital firm based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in investing in technology companies, particularly in sectors such as cleantech, software, and cybersecurity. eCAPITAL provides early to growth stage funding and strategic support to startups, helping them navigate challenges and achieve growth. Notably, eCAPITAL has invested in Saperatec, a recycling specialist for high-tech composite materials, which raised €3.3M in seed funding in 2013 and $2.4M in Series C funding in 2015. This involvement highlights eCAPITAL's interest in the recycling industry, particularly in innovative recycling technologies, which is relevant to the scrap metal recycling context. Additionally, their investment in Saperatec demonstrates their commitment to supporting sustainable practices and resource recovery initiatives.


14. Collateral Good


Collateral Good is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in sustainable investments and supports early-stage companies across various sectors, including packaging, food tech, and fashion. Their mission emphasizes a positive impact on planetary health, which aligns with their investment strategy. In 2024, Collateral Good participated in a Series A funding round for Polytag, a female-led recycling technology company that focuses on the installation of Invisible UV Tag readers in material recovery facilities. This investment highlights their commitment to enhancing recycling processes, making them a relevant player in the scrap metal recycling context. Additionally, they have made other investments, such as in Nfinite Nanotech, which, while not directly related to scrap metal recycling, showcases their interest in innovative technologies.


15. NRW.BANK

  • Website: nrwbank.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2002
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: nrw.bank

NRW.BANK is a public entity that serves as the development bank for North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Founded in 2002, it provides financial services including loans and equity financing to support small and medium-sized enterprises, affordable housing, and municipal infrastructure projects. The bank plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth and social development in the region. In 2024, NRW.BANK participated in a Series A funding round for Cylib, raising over $59 million, and has also invested in Saperatec, a recycling specialist for high-tech composite materials, which raised €3.3 million in seed funding. This investment in Saperatec highlights NRW.BANK's commitment to supporting innovative recycling solutions, indicating its potential relevance to the scrap metal recycling sector.



Scrap Metal Recycling Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Wieland GroupUlm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18203
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
GlencoreBaar, Zug, Switzerland10001+19783
ALPLA GroupHard, Vorarlberg, Austria10001+19552
MercuriaGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland1001-500020047
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
bmp VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019973
Heidelberg MaterialsHeidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18734
Blue Earth Capital AGBaar, Zug, Switzerland11-50201511
Vorwerk VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020077
startup300 AGLinz, Upper Austria, Austria51-20020150
EGGER GroupSankt Johann, Tyrol, Austria10001+19610
eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERSNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-5019992
Collateral GoodZurich, Zurich, Switzerland1-1020212
NRW.BANKNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1001-5000200210


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