CCPC Clear KAES Recycling Holdings Ltd To Acquire Bord Na Mona Recycling

Bord na Mona Recycling is headquartered in Newbridge

KAES Recycling Holdings Ltd, part of the KWD Group, has been cleared by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to acquire Newbridge headquartered Bord na Móna Recycling.

Bord na Móna has been seeking a buyer for its waste management division since early 2024.

In December, reports suggested the deal could exceed €55 million, though the final sale price has not been disclosed.

The CCPC confirmed on Thursday that it had approved the transaction, subject to a number of legally binding commitments.

The acquisition was first notified in February, prompting the CCPC to carry out a preliminary review to assess potential impacts on competition in the waste collection sector.

Concerns were raised about reduced competition in specific regions of Leinster and Munster.

In response, KAES agreed to divest certain domestic, commercial, and industrial customer accounts in those areas.

The CCPC noted that similar remedies were required in previous industry mergers, such as Thorntons/City Bin and Pandagreen/Exomex.

In its statement, seen by Kfm, the commission said: “The commitments made by KAES Recycling include measures to ensure that affected customers are supported through the transition and are fully informed of their rights and choices.”

Despite approving the merger, the CCPC reiterated concerns that the household waste collection market in Ireland is underperforming for consumers.

It renewed calls for structural reforms and the introduction of an economic regulator for the sector.

KWD, based in Co Kerry, had been identified last year as the frontrunner to acquire Bord na Móna Recycling, although several other interested parties had also emerged.

At the end of last month, SIPTU members employed by Bord na Móna Recycling deferred strike action, following acceptance by management that their conditions of employment must be protected in any proposed sale of the company.

The strike was scheduled for Wednesday April 2nd and would've affected bin collections for many customers in Kildare, however, SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “Following acceptance in principle by management of the concerns our members raised in relation to the protection of their terms and conditions of employment if a proposed sale of the company takes place, they have decided to defer strike action...

Mr Kane continued “It remains the position of our members that selling the last remaining publicly owned domestic waste collection service into the private sector is a backwards step in relation to the future of the industry in Ireland. We continue to seek a meeting with the Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, to discuss the wider context of this dispute and the best way forward for the domestic waste collection sector.”