The climatech industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by increased awareness of climate change and a more concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With this growth comes consolidation, as companies seek to strengthen their capabilities and gain a competitive edge. Analyzing the recent mergers and acquisitions in the climatech sector helps us to understand the drivers behind these deals and their potential impact on the industry. Understand this and more about this key industry consolidation trends!
Why mergers and acquisitions can boost the climatech industry
Investors who are interested in investing in carbon capture and climatech companies should pay attention to mergers and acquisitions in the industry.
The global focus on environmental protection and climate change has led to an increase in demand for climate-friendly technologies. This has created a conducive environment for mergers and acquisitions in the climatech sector, leading to the emergence of industry heavyweights.
One of the key drivers behind mergers and acquisitions in the climatech industry is the need to create scale and leverage synergies. Many companies seek to expand their product portfolios, customer bases and distribution networks through these deals.
For instance, in 2019, ENGIE, a French multinational electric utility, acquired Green Charge, a leader in demand response solutions. Through this acquisition, ENGIE bolstered its position as a key player in intelligent energy storage systems, while Green Charge benefitted from ENGIE’s extensive international presence and resources.
Another driver of climatech mergers and acquisitions is the need to access new technologies. Companies want to stay competitive by staying ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and technology development.
For this reason, companies seek to acquire technology companies or assets that complement their existing capabilities and expertise. In 2018, Honeywell, a US multinational conglomerate, acquired a 25% stake in Carbon Clean Solutions, a UK-based carbon capture solutions provider.
This acquisition allowed Honeywell to expand its carbon capture and reduction capabilities, while Carbon Clean Solutions benefitted from Honeywell’s extensive industrial expertise and global customer base.
There are also other players that influence the growth and consolidation of the climatech industry landscape.
Factors that matter to the climatech industry landscape
Governments and regulatory bodies also play a critical role in driving climatech mergers and acquisitions. As governments around the world increase their focus on environmental protection, they introduce regulations and policies that encourage companies to adopt climate-friendly technologies.
This creates a favorable climate for mergers and acquisitions in the climatech industry, as companies seek to leverage these regulations to gain a competitive edge.
In 2020, Siemens Energy announced that it had acquired a 50% stake in the world’s leading supplier of electrolysis solutions, ITM Power. This acquisition was motivated by the new regulations introduced by the European Union calling for a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
Mergers and acquisitions in the climatech industry have far-reaching implications for the sector. On the one hand, they create opportunities for companies to expand their businesses and access new capabilities. On the other hand, they can also lead to industry consolidation, with a few dominant companies controlling a large share of the market.
This consolidation can limit competition and raise the barriers to entry for smaller companies. Additionally, the emergence of large, dominant companies can also lead to concerns about the concentration of power, potentially stifling innovation in the industry.
Mergers and acquisitions are driver factors to the climatech industry
In conclusion, mergers and acquisitions in the climatech industry are a reflection of the growing demand for climate-friendly technologies around the world.
They provide companies with opportunities to expand their businesses, access new capabilities, and stay ahead of the curve in terms of innovation. However, they can also lead to industry consolidation and concerns about the concentration of power.
Investors interested in investing in carbon capture and climatech companies should pay attention to these trends and evaluate the implications of mergers and acquisitions for individual companies and the industry as a whole.