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 expanding and 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 in industrial 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-the-art 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”

 

About CirTec:
With both proven and innovative technology, we can provide the most appropriate solution for many environmental issues. Waste recycling, reuse of materials and recovery of low-grade energy are key to our solutions. Through research and collaboration, we look for new ways to solve existing problems in a more sustainable and economical way.
We are active in the municipal and industrial market worldwide and focus on the treatment of sewage, and process water, biosolids, sludge and gasses. Separation and thickening of solids and liquids are also part of our core activities. With our extensive knowledge and experience in (biological) treatment processes, we can assist you in designing or upgrading your entire treatment plant.
We support our products with service and maintenance contracts and operational support. Furthermore, we can manage your spare parts.
www.cirtec.nl

About Saur:
As a pure-play water and essential services provider, Saur works to protect the environment in the heart of the territories it serves. Saur has always acted to offer the same quality of service to small towns as to large cities, guided by its purpose: to restore to water the value it deserves. Saur operates globally. 2022 key figures: €1.9 billion Group net revenue, 9,500 local authorities and industrial clients contracted, 12,000 employees and 20 million consumers served worldwide.
www.saur.com

Press Contacts

Saur – Margot McElligott – + 33 6 60 25 04 63 – margot.mc-elligot@saur.com
Havas – Esther Garcia – + 33 6 08 94 42 64 – saur-rp@havas.com – PR agency
CirTec – Coos Wessels – + 31 299 792080 – c.wessels@cirtec.nl
Nijhuis Saur Industries – Menno M. Holtermann – +31 (0) 314 74 90 12 – menno.holterman@nijhuisindustries.com