Biodiesel-technology pioneer BDI-BioEnergy International acquired by EOSS Industries, KVT and Rieckermann Group

Photo: BDI-BioEnergy International

Austria-based BDI-BioEnergy International, a pioneer and global leader in biodiesel process technologies, has been acquired by EOSS Industries Holding GmbH, Kanzler Verfahrenstechnik (KVT) and the Rieckermann Group.

“EOSS Industries, Kanzler Verfahrenstechnik and the Rieckermann Group pool their strengths to implement their shared vision of circular economy, and BDI’s technological leadership makes an important contribution,” BDI stated in a Jan. 31 press release.

As part of the agreement, EOSS Industries also absorbs the shares in BDI Holding and BDI-BioLife Science.

The BDI Group currently employs about 140 staff members.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the acquisition price.

Headquartered in Graz, Austria, BDI-BioEnergy International is an internationally operating niche player specializing in the development of chemical and biochemical procedures, the implementation of product plants for biodiesel and biogas as well as plants for the processing of pyrolysis oil and depolymerization.

BDI-BioLife Science, based in Hartberg, Austria, is the No. 1 manufacturer of natural astaxanthin in Central Europe and is active in the life-science industry.

By combining entrepreneurial leadership with innovational strength and the benefits of a strong participation holding, EOSS Industries is recognized as a pioneer in the strategic development and support of medium-sized companies.

Together with EOSS Industries, the internationally operating industrial-solutions providers KVT and the Rieckermann Group engage in the takeover of BDI-BioEnergy International via the captive-investment branch JR New Horizons.

“We are delighted at this partnership with BDI and the additional interest in BDI-BioEnergy International by Kanzler Verfahrenstechnik and Rieckermann,” said EOSS Manager David Niederl, who is going to reinforce the executive board of the BDI Group. “Together, we will be able to raise our commitment to sustainable energy to a completely new level.”

For KVT and Rieckermann, this trade also marks a milestone against the background of a successful 12-year cooperation of both companies in Asia’s complex industrial plant manufacturing.

“This is a golden opportunity to promote the expansion of an innovative technological offer, namely in a key area for sustainable economy worldwide,” said KVT CEO Florian Kanzler and Oliver Raab, the head of industry, chemical and energy at Rieckermann Group, in a joint statement.

BDI BioEnergy International said it is equally enthusiastic.

“The pooling of strengths perfectly fits our long-term vision and will further enhance our position as an innovative pioneer in the fields of biogas, biofuels and chemical plastic recycling,” said Kurt Ternegg, CEO of the BDI Group. “To implement our vision regarding the red diamond, we have found the perfect strategic partner with EOSS and its subsidiary, Sanochemia. In this new constellation and as a leader in quality, technology and innovation, we will be an appealing employer headquartered in Styria, Austria.”

In a joint statement, BDI Group Founders Wilhelm Hammer and Helmut Gössler said, “The takeover by these family-owned companies ensures a sustainable continuation of our lifework. We consider ourselves fortunate to have found such strong partners for the BDI Group.”

Hammer and Gössler founded BDI in 1996 and after nearly 28 years they are entering well-deserved retirement.

EOSS Industries is an innovation-oriented industry and technology corporation targeting the long-term development of its companies.

As a medium-sized enterprise group, the participations of EOSS generate approximately 200 million euros (USD$217.5 million) across the globe, export to more than 60 countries worldwide and employ about 500 staff members.

KVT develops and implements industrial plants based on the concepts of green chemistry and closing the cycle.

Renewable raw materials, byproducts from industrial processes or waste flows serve as basic materials for the production of value-added chemicals for the closing of material cycles as well as for the reuse of industrial waste.

KVT’s technology portfolio contains solutions for the manufacturing of chemical products based on regrowing raw materials, environmental technologies in the field of wastewater and waste-gas treatment and the production and the recovery of sulfuric acid from sulfurous waste gas, sulfur or spent acid.

As a family-owned business, KVT is internationally active and has about 160 employees in Austria and Germany.The Rieckermann Group is a family-owned corporate group offering complex industrial production and process solutions for various industrial areas in Asia and the Middle East as a contractor and technology provider.

With over 130 years of corporate history, Rieckermann Group has built a reputation in its core markets—especially regarding integrated customized process solutions that the company maintains on a long-term basis thanks to its local technical service.

Furthermore, Rieckermann Group’s broad-ranging offer portfolio includes consultation services, engineering and project management as well as the selection, financing and delivery of process technologies by leading international suppliers and drivers of innovation.

Globally, over 750 employees at 24 locations in 17 countries contribute to the success of the Rieckermann Group.

JR New Horizons is an independent investment branch within the Rieckermann Group promoting innovations and financing important key projects through strategic investments, participations and transformation support to carry the vision of a holistic solutions provider for industrial production focusing on sustainable process technologies.

BDI-BioEnergy International is market leader in the construction of biodiesel plants, additionally offering environmentally friendly procedural solutions for the processing of waste and pyrolysis oils as well as fermentation technologies developed in-house for biogas plants.

BDI-BioEnergy’s service portfolio ranges from contract research and process development to engineering and scale-up services to customer service.

BDI-BioLife Science specializes in the production of high-quality algal material for the life-science area and is No. 1 in the production of natural astaxanthin in Central Europe.

With its closed algae-cultivation method developed in-house, the company ensures a constant manufacture of natural astaxanthin.

The production infrastructure safeguards year-round product availability and constant high quality.