The scrap metal recycling industry in Europe plays a crucial role in sustainability by repurposing discarded metal into valuable raw materials. Companies ranging from small family-owned businesses to large corporations collect, process, and sell a variety of metals, including steel, aluminum, and copper. This sector not only reduces waste but also conserves resources and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. With increasing pressure to be environmentally responsible, the industry is rapidly evolving to adopt advanced technologies and innovate recycling methods. As a result, recycling rates are improving, making metal recycling a vital part of circular economies across the continent.


The group of investors in this list shows remarkable variety, including venture capital firms, corporate entities, and private equity funds. Headquartered in major European cities like London, Paris, and Stockholm, these firms vary in size from small teams to large corporations with thousands of employees. Founded between 1853 and 2021, their collective activity in 2024 highlights significant investments in recycling. With a total of over 332 investments made, their focus on sustainable practices emphasizes the industry's growing importance in responding to environmental challenges.


Top 17 Scrap Metal Recycling Investors in Europe


1. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to the recycling industry, such as leading a €40 million Series A funding round for Mecaware, a French battery recycling startup, which aims to scale its technology for recycling. Additionally, Bpifrance participated in the acquisition of Recyc-Matelas Europe, further emphasizing its commitment to supporting recycling initiatives. These transactions highlight Bpifrance's role in promoting sustainable practices within the recycling sector.


2. 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. It offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. In recent transactions, the EIC has invested in companies like ROSI, which raised 7.4 million euros to finance its first industrial site for recycling photovoltaic panels, and Gr3n Recycling, which secured $2,684,682 in funding for its recycling initiatives. These investments highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting innovative recycling solutions, making it a relevant player in the scrap metal recycling landscape.


3. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden, aiming to enhance their growth and competitiveness. Almi has been involved in several transactions relevant to the recycling industry, including a notable investment in Recycla, which raised $660k to expand its recycling operations and improve technology development. Additionally, Almi has invested in Bintel, a waste management startup, which has raised funds to strengthen its marketing and sales efforts, indicating a focus on the recycling sector. These transactions highlight Almi's commitment to supporting businesses that contribute to sustainable practices and recycling initiatives.


4. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. Crowdcube promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the recycling industry, including Innovate Recycle, which raised over $3.7 million in equity crowdfunding in February 2021. This investment highlights Crowdcube's engagement with companies focused on recycling initiatives. Additionally, Crowdcube has supported other companies like Fishy Filaments and Waterhaul, which, while not directly related to scrap metal recycling, indicate a broader interest in sustainable and innovative recycling solutions.


5. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in various investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the waste management and recycling sectors, including the acquisition of AMCS Group, a company focused on waste recycling solutions. They also acquired Covanta, a waste-to-energy firm, and have been involved with Synagro Technologies, which focuses on organic residuals management. These transactions reflect EQT's commitment to sustainability and resource recovery, aligning with the principles of scrap metal recycling.


6. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2011. The firm focuses on providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Among their notable transactions, BGF has invested in several companies within the recycling sector, including Johnsons Aggregates and Recycling, which received a GBP10 million funding package, and RiverRidge Recycling, which secured £10M in equity funding. Additionally, BGF has supported J & B Recycling with a £7.5m investment to expand their facilities and Total Recycling Services with a £6.7 million investment to accelerate growth and expand operations. These investments highlight BGF's commitment to supporting the recycling industry, including scrap metal recycling.


7. Suez

  • Website: suez.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: suez

Suez SA is a corporate investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in water and waste management. Founded in 1997, Suez has over 160 years of experience in addressing critical environmental challenges globally. The company focuses on sustainable practices and innovative solutions for waste recycling and resource management. In recent years, Suez has made several strategic acquisitions that enhance its capabilities in recycling. Notably, in December 2023, Suez acquired F&R Cawley Ltd., a British firm specializing in battery recycling, marking its entry into the UK market for lithium-ion battery collection and recycling. Additionally, Suez acquired a 20% stake in 'The Future is Neutral', a subsidiary of Renault Group focused on vehicle recycling, further emphasizing its commitment to sustainable resource management in the automotive sector. These transactions highlight Suez's active role in the recycling industry, including areas relevant to scrap metal recycling.


8. Biffa

  • Website: biffa.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: High Wycombe, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1912
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: biffa

Biffa Limited, founded in 1912 and based in High Wycombe, England, is a leading waste management company in the UK. The company provides comprehensive waste collection, recycling, and landfill services to local authorities and businesses, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. Biffa has been actively expanding its operations through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Hamilton Waste and Recycling Limited, which is Scotland's leading construction and demolition waste collection and processing business. This acquisition is particularly relevant as it involves processing significant amounts of material, which likely includes scrap metal. Other notable transactions include the acquisition of Hales Waste and Cory Environmental Municipal Services, both of which enhance Biffa's capabilities in the waste management sector. Biffa also invested in LoveJunk, a platform that promotes waste reuse, further demonstrating their commitment to sustainable waste practices.


9. Katapult

  • Website: katapult.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: katapult-accelerator

Katapult is an impact investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. They focus on tech startups that address global challenges, providing investment, accelerator programs, and mentorship to early-stage companies in sectors such as climate-tech and ocean-tech. Notably, Katapult has invested in RecyGlo, a waste management and recycling platform in Myanmar, which received seed funding aimed at improving recycling services. This investment highlights Katapult's engagement in the recycling industry, alongside other transactions like those with Solar Materials and Jiva Materials, which, while not directly related to scrap metal, reflect their commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions in related fields.


10. Veolia

  • Website: veolia.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Aubervilliers, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1853
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: veolia-environnement

Veolia is a corporate investor based in Aubervilliers, Île-De-France, France, specializing in environmental services, including water management, waste management, and energy solutions. Founded in 1853, Veolia has grown to employ over 10,000 people and is committed to sustainability and ecological transformation. Notably, Veolia has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in waste management and recycling. For instance, their acquisition of C&C Recycling in 2008 aimed to strengthen their position in the commercial waste recycling market in the UK. Furthermore, the acquisition of Cleanaway UK in 2023 positioned Veolia as a leading company in the UK waste market, which includes materials recycling facilities that likely handle scrap metal. These transactions reflect Veolia's ongoing commitment to expanding its recycling services, including those related to scrap metal.


11. Beauparc

  • Website: beauparc.ie
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: beauparc

Beauparc is a Dublin-based waste management and renewable energy company founded in 1990. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Beauparc provides essential waste collection, recycling, and energy recovery services to residential and commercial customers across Ireland and the UK. The company has significantly expanded its operations through a series of strategic acquisitions aimed at enhancing its scale and processing capabilities in the recycling sector. Notable transactions include the acquisition of LSS Waste Management, which strengthens their recycling operations in the UK, and Peak Waste Recycling, which marks their tenth acquisition in the UK waste market since 2016. Additionally, Beauparc's acquisition of JWS Waste & Recycling Services, which operates a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), further emphasizes their focus on recycling within the construction, commercial, and industrial sectors. These transactions highlight Beauparc's commitment to environmentally sustainable practices and its role as a significant player in the recycling industry.


12. ArcelorMittal Luxembourg


ArcelorMittal Luxembourg is a corporate investor based in Luxembourg, founded in 1911. As the world's largest steel manufacturer, ArcelorMittal produces a wide range of steel products for construction and infrastructure projects, emphasizing sustainability and low emissions. The company operates multiple production sites and is committed to responsible steel production. In recent years, ArcelorMittal has made strategic acquisitions in the scrap metal recycling sector, including Legault Métal, a metal recycling company in Canada, and Zaklad Przerobu Zlomu (Zlomex), a Polish steel scrap metal recycling business. These acquisitions are part of their strategy to enhance the use of recycled materials in their production processes. Additionally, they acquired Bakermet, a leading scrap metal recycler in Eastern Ontario, Canada, further solidifying their commitment to securing raw materials through recycling. These transactions highlight ArcelorMittal's active role in the scrap metal recycling industry, aligning with their broader goals of sustainability and innovation.


13. UI Investissement

  • Website: ui-investissement.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1967
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: ui-gestion

UI Investissement is an investment management firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1967. The firm specializes in supporting the growth of non-listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs) in France. They provide capital development, innovation, and consolidation services, focusing on sectors such as health, agro-business, and services. Recently, UI Investissement has been involved in several transactions relevant to the recycling industry, including a €3.2 million investment in Recyc'Elit, which aims to develop an industrial pilot for processing waste. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for companies like Mecaware, a battery recycling startup, indicating their interest in the recycling sector. Their business model involves investing in and advising companies to enhance their operational performance and market competitiveness, which aligns with the goals of companies in the recycling industry.


14. Rio Tinto

  • Website: riotinto.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1873
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: rio-tinto

Rio Tinto Group is a prominent mining company based in London, England, specializing in the extraction and refining of metals and minerals, including iron ore, aluminum, and lithium. Founded in 1873, the company operates globally and emphasizes sustainable practices and innovation to meet the rising demand for low-carbon solutions. In December 2023, Rio Tinto acquired a 50% stake in Matalco from the Giampaolo Group for US$700 million, forming a joint venture aimed at expanding its footprint in the recycled aluminum market. This acquisition is particularly significant as it positions Rio Tinto to cater to the anticipated 70% increase in recycled aluminum demand in the U.S. by 2032. This strategic investment highlights Rio Tinto's commitment to the recycling industry, particularly in the context of aluminum, which is a key material in various sectors, including construction and technology.


15. 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, founded in 1820 and based in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a leading manufacturer of semi-finished products made from copper and copper alloys. The company serves various industries, including automotive and aerospace, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation. In recent years, Wieland Group has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the metal supply chain. 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 presence in the premium copper and copper alloy market. These transactions highlight Wieland's commitment to strengthening its distribution network and capabilities in sourcing and processing metals, including scrap metals.


16. 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 is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2021. It 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 strategic acquisitions in the metal industry, such as Buderus Edelstahl, which is involved in steel production, and Special Melted Products, which focuses on engineering and technology in the metal sector. These transactions highlight Mutares' commitment to enhancing its portfolio in industries related to metals, including scrap metal recycling, thereby positioning itself as a relevant player in this field.


17. Borealis

  • Website: borealisgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: borealis

Borealis AG is a leading Austrian plastics manufacturer specializing in polyolefins and base chemicals, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The company serves various industries, including energy, healthcare, and consumer products, providing innovative and sustainable solutions. Borealis is committed to advancing a circular economy and reducing environmental impact through its product offerings and initiatives. In recent years, Borealis has made significant investments in the recycling sector, acquiring companies such as mtm compact GmbH, Ecoplast Kunststoffrecycling, and Integra Plastics. These acquisitions reflect Borealis' strategy to enhance its recycling capacity and support its goals for a circular economy, aiming for a six-fold increase in circular products by 2025. While Borealis primarily focuses on plastics, its involvement in recycling positions it as a relevant player in the broader recycling industry.



Scrap Metal Recycling Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
SuezParis, Île-De-France, France10001+19975
BiffaHigh Wycombe, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000019127
KatapultOslo, Oslo, Norway11-5020178
VeoliaAubervilliers, Île-De-France, France10001+18535
BeauparcDublin, Dublin, Ireland1001-500019901
ArcelorMittal LuxembourgLuxembourg1001-500019111
UI InvestissementParis, Île-De-France, France51-200196719
Rio TintoLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+18734
Wieland GroupUlm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany10001+18203
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116
BorealisVienna, Vienna, Austria5001-1000019940


Want to find more investors focusing on the scrap metal recycling industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the scrap metal recyclingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!