French waste-management and recycling group Paprec is set to enter the Serbian market through the acquisition of an 80% stake in Brantner green solutions, expanding its operations into five Central and Eastern European countries. Paprec has reached an agreement with the Brantner family to acquire a controlling interest in the Austrian group’s environmental-services division, which operates in Serbia through Brantner otpadna privreda. The Brantner family will retain a 20% stake and continue to support the company’s development.
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals. Once completed, it will mark Paprec’s first entry into Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Serbia.
Brantner operates across five markets
Founded in 1936, Brantner green solutions provides waste collection, sorting, recycling and recovery services. The company employs nearly 2,500 people across 65 sites and serves more than 28,000 businesses, public authorities and other customers in five countries. The group generates annual revenue of more than €320 million. Through the acquisition, Paprec will substantially expand its presence in Central and Eastern Europe while adding Brantner’s operations and customer base to its international platform.
Paprec expands its international operations
The transaction represents Paprec’s largest investment since its 2016 partnership with French waste-management company Coved. Paprec has previously expanded outside France into markets including Switzerland, Spain and Italy. The Brantner transaction will extend that international footprint into five additional countries, including Serbia.
The French group plans to apply its recycling technologies and more than 30 years of industry experience to Brantner’s operations. It also intends to expand the range of waste-management solutions available to companies and local authorities across the region.
Combined group to reach 26,000 employees
Following completion of the transaction, Paprec is expected to employ approximately 26,000 people in 15 countries. Its annual revenue is projected to exceed €4.5 billion, following the integration of Brantner green solutions into the group.
