Spain-headed responsible investment manager Suma Capital S.G.E.I.C S.A has announced that it has closed on its first international deal by acquiring 100 percent of CH4T, a company based in Verona, Italy specialized in the management of biomethane plants.
After opening its first international office in Paris, France in 2023, and hiring Jérôme Petitjean as its first international partner, Suma Capital is now focusing on Italy, where it expects to continue to grow in the field of sustainable infrastructure.
Through this transaction, Suma Capital advances its growth strategy in international markets.
We are proud to announce our first international investment, marking a significant milestone in Suma Capital’s trajectory. This transaction not only represents a strategic step towards the internationalization of our firm but also underscores our continued commitment to investments that generate a positive impact on environmental sustainability and local economic development, said Enrique Tombas, Chairman and Founding Partner of Suma Capital.
Biogas to biomethane
CH4T is a company composed of professionals with more than 20 years of experience in the energy and agriculture sector in Italy and focuses on the acquisition and transformation of biogas plants into biomethane aka renewable natural gas (RNG) plants.
CH4T‘s medium-term goal is to acquire between 10 and 15 biogas plants, transforming them into RNG plants.
The company currently has 10 plants in an advanced stage of negotiation in Northern Italy and plans to complete the acquisition of the first three plants in the first weeks of this year, representing an initial investment of close to EUR 15 million.
The company will take advantage of the EUR 4.5 billion allocations for the promotion of biomethane as substitute energy for fossil gas, in line with the Italian government’s target of reaching 2.3 bcm RNG production capacity by 2026, seven times the current production.
Milestone investment
This strategy positions CH4T as a key player in the transition to renewable energies, contributing significantly to the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, fostering the local economy, and strengthening the agricultural sector through the valorization of agricultural waste.
The investment in CH4T is a milestone for Suma Capital, representing the first international operation of the EUR 300 million SC Climate Impact Fund III.
Throughout 2023, the same vehicle has also invested in other projects in Spain, such as Adec Global (slag valorization and aggregates treatment), Zamora Eco Energías (renewable heat networks), and Biometano Montes de Toledo (biomethane and compost production).
This first international investment of the fund in Italy in a sector as specific as biomethane reflects the deep experience of the Suma Capital team and its commitment to initiatives that not only generate solid financial returns but also have a positive impact on environmental sustainability and local economic development.
The acquisition of CH4T is further testimony to our belief in transforming the energy landscape toward more sustainable sources. This step also reflects our full confidence in CH4T’s exceptional team and the potential of the Italian market, ended Enrique Tombas.
