Saur acquires CirTec, the advanced resource recovery and fine sieve expert

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, November 8th, 2023 – Saur Group (“Saur”) is pleased to announce it has signed an agreement to acquire CirTec, a leading Dutch player in rotating belt fine sieve technology and cellulose recovery, thus expandingand strengthening its position in the global municipal & industrial market.

With the acquisition of CirTec, Saur will further strengthen the Group’s expanding portfolio to support the fast-growing demand for more sustainable water treatment and resource recovery solutions. CirTec provides technologies for filtration with a unique set of cellulose recovery solutions to upgrade toilet paper from sewage into safe raw biobased materials, achieving energy savings up to 25%, sludge reductions of 20% and a capacity increase of more than 15% in existing sewage treatment plants. LCA studies show that 1 ton of recovered cellulose from sewage saves 2 to 2.5 tons of CO2 equivalents. Additionally, the raw cellulose material is repurposed into different resources used in the construction industry like biobased chemicals, asphalt, or material for home insulation. Besides the potential of the rotating belt fine sieves (IntenSieve®) for 'harvesting' cellulose, the possibilities for the technology inindustrial applications are enormous, such as for removal/recovery of fibers or dry solids from industrial cycles in papermills and plastic recycling or as pre-treatment in vegetable processing.

Recently, CirTec was awarded a prestigious contract to establish a state-of-theart Cellulose Recovery Plant at Severn Trent’s Net Zero Hub Sewage Treatment Works in Strongford (UK). The project represents a significant step forward in advancing resource recovery and sustainability within the water treatment industry. CirTec's innovative solutions are set to transform the way cellulose is managed and repurposed, furthering their commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.

The acquisition will take place through Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI), the Industrial Water arm of Saur, formed after the acquisition of Netherlands-based Nijhuis Industries in 2020. CirTec will continue to exist as an independent entity and customers will continue to work with their trusted contacts.

Patrick Blethon, Executive Chairman of Saur: “This acquisition will further enhance our Group’s mission to be the champion of water transition. CirTec has successfully built a strong position and reputation in resource recovery technologies, which seamlessly fits with our portfolio of leading technologies to support our customers.”

Coos Wessels, CEO of CirTec: “With the recent breakthroughs and successes we have achieved with water utilities in the Netherlands and the UK, customers from all over the globe are reaching out to us. Consequently, we have been looking for a strong partner to help CirTec expand globally and increase our engineering, project delivery, manufacturing and service capabilities. With Saur we share the same vision for a future where reuse and the valorisation of resources play a vital role.”

Menno M. Holterman, CEO and President of Nijhuis Saur Industries, Saur’s Industrial Water Platform: “CirTec’s expertise further completes our unique portfolio of innovative technologies, game-changing solutions, and added-value services including design, build, finance, operate and maintain (“DBFOM”), and rental of mobile water solutions. We aim to become our customers’ water partner for life. We look forward to working with Coos Wessels and the CirTec team to address the fast-growing demand from leading municipal customers worldwide”.