Impact asset manager Wermuth Asset Management (WAM) announces two successful transactions in private equity funds GGF1 and GGF2 in its investment portfolio.
The fund GGF1 has made a successful exit from Primekss, a company based in Latvia, with operations in 27 countries on four continents. Established in 1997, Primekss has developed and commercialised a new patented solution for concrete that is 50 per cent stronger, 30 per cent faster to install, and releases up to 70 per cent less CO2 emissions than conventional concrete. Among Primekss blue-chip customers are JYSK, NESTLE, DHL, NCC, SKANSKA, ABB, Lidl and many others. GGF1 invested in Primekss in 2014 and played a major role in the development of the company.
“The Financial investment and other support provided by the Green Gateway Fund was extremely useful to help us stabilise technology, further our R&D and invest in expansion, and has allowed to quadruple Primekss revenues and attract world class customers, such as DSV, IKEA, Volvo, Prologis and many others. It also allowed us to save thousands of tons of CO2 emissions – for a better world,” says Primekss CEO Janis Oslejs.
“We are proud and happy to have supported the creation of intellectual property and a national champion in Latvia. The firm has strong sales in Northern Europe and Eurasia. Together with its licensing model, this is the basis for a global roll-out of Primekss technologies. We wish the company all the best, in the interest of its new shareholders and the planet,” says Jochen Wermuth, Founding Partner of Wermuth Asset Management GmbH, investment adviser of the Green Gateway Fund.
“Primekss’ performance has been impressive, thanks to the unique solution proposed to the market. The CO2 footprint of concrete can be significantly reduced by its technology. We have appreciated the solid management of the company and the way they developed their business in core markets. We wish Janis Oslejs, his team and associates a lot of success in their future endeavours,” says Gilles Bonaert, Polina Burnos and Olle Markoe, Board members and observers on behalf of GGF.
In the private equity fund GGF2, Wermuth Asset Management has made a successful first closing of the Series C financing round for the portfolio company NexWafe, for a total of EUR32 million. The first participation of the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited (EUR25 million) has once more broadened the strategic investor base. Existing investors participated in this financing round as well.
NexWafe has successfully specialised in the development of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon wafers used in the production of solar cells. With the funds raised in the Series C financing round, NexWafe plans to advance the production and commercialisation of its specialty epi-wafers. Along with the funding, NexWafe and Reliance Industries Limited have entered into a strategic partnership to manufacture wafers for the Indian market.
“The commercialisation of this promising technology for high-performance wafers is of strategic importance for Germany, Europe and the world. With this technology, it is possible to achieve a major increase of efficiency. At the same time, CO2 emissions in the production of the wafers are reduced significantly. This will make solar technology even more affordable and is a milestone on the way to the global and sustainable spread of solar technology,” explains Dr Claas Helmke, Partner at Wermuth Asset Management.
“Climate change is real and continuing. The green industrial revolution is also real and happening under our eyes. The breakthrough technologies triggered by this will deliver great financial returns and improve the environment. WAM is at the center of these developments,” explains Jochen Wermuth.
