Global investment firm KKR has completed the acquisition of 60% stake in Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. (REEL), a provider of environmental services and solutions, for $510 million via a combination of primary and secondary investments.
In addition to investing in REEL from its KKR Asian Fund III, the investment is part of KKR’s global impact strategy, which is focused on identifying and investing behind businesses with positive social or environmental impact that measurably contribute solutions to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. M. Goutham Reddy, MD and CEO, REEL said, “India is home to some of the world’s most pressing waste management needs, and REEL has an important role to play in providing critical solutions to communities across the country. KKR’s expertise in environmental issue management, extensive global and local resources, and aligned vision to enact positive change makes it an ideal partner to help us keep pace with the environmental challenges facing our society and provide impactful solutionsWe are off to a great start with multiple strong hires added to the management team and process enhancements work to better our ESG efforts.”
Rupen Jhaveri, managing director at KKR added, “Supporting promising companies that offer solutions to global challenges in areas such as the environment, health and human capital has become an increasingly important focus for KKR worldwide. REEL is exemplary in being a comprehensive environmental management company whose work supports the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission to reduce pollution and improve critical sanitation infrastructure nationwide. We are confident that, with our industry experience and resources, REEL will be better positioned to achieve its social mission over the long term.”
Over the last decade, KKR has been a leader in driving and protecting value throughout the firm’s private markets portfolio through thoughtful Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management, as well as measuring and reporting on performance to the public and investors, said KKR statement.
Robert Antablin and Ken Mehlman, co-heads of KKR Global Impact, said, “responsibly managing waste is a critical global challenge, particularly in one of the world’s fastest growing nations. We believe REEL will address this critical need while advancing two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
The firm has a history of investing in businesses that promote sustainable solutions to societal challenges. This experience of responsible investment combined with a changing landscape of global challenges led to KKR’s decision to create a dedicated Global Impact business in 2018. KKR’s Impact strategy and investment in REEL will build on this experience, the statement added.