Latest news with #Frankfurt-based
Arabian Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Consortium Secures €6.7bn Techem Buyout to Accelerate Digital Decarbonisation
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, Partners Group, GIC and TPG Rise Climate have agreed a €6.7 billion deal to acquire Techem, the Frankfurt-based energy‑efficiency firm, in a strategic move poised to reinforce digital-first submetering and sustainability in European real estate. The transaction—set to conclude in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals—will see Partners Group's infrastructure arm retain a controlling stake, while Mubadala, GIC and TPG Rise Climate take minority positions alongside, marking a rotation in ownership strategy. The sale ends the tenure of the prior consortium including La Caisse and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, which supported Techem since 2018. ADVERTISEMENT Techem, founded in 1952 and based in Eschborn, operates in 18 countries and serves more than 440,000 customers with over 13 million dwellings under its care. Approximately 62 million devices are currently installed across its footprint. Under Partners Group's 2018 private equity-led acquisition, Techem grew its sales beyond €1 billion and increased EBITDA by nearly 50%. This expansion solidified its role as a leading provider of submetering services—a crucial component in the decarbonisation of real estate, a sector responsible for around 40% of global CO₂ emissions. The new ownership strategy aims to deepen digital integration, expand offerings to include smart meters, and capitalise on evolving regulations, rising energy prices and corporate net-zero commitments. 'Techem is at the forefront of energy services and is uniquely positioned to drive energy efficiency within the real estate sector,' noted Boon Chin Hau, CIO of GIC Infrastructure, underscoring the group's confidence in Techem's strategic outlook. Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, Head of Energy and Sustainability at Mubadala's private equity platform, emphasised the importance of helping find solutions to global challenges, reflecting the company's ongoing shift toward purpose-driven capital deployment. Implementation will include further digitalisation of operations and service expansions tailored to improve building efficiency. This deal, valued at €6.7 billion, ranks among the year's largest private‑market transactions globally. Techem's technology deploys submetering for heating and water, enabling accurate billing and encouraging lower consumption. Their low‑investment, non‑invasive approach aligns well with landlords and property owners seeking cost-effective energy solutions. Trends in European regulation and growing pressure on emissions reduction give the firm a favourable market tailwind—a factor the new consortium appears ready to exploit. Despite an earlier attempt by TPG to buy out Techem independently in October 2024, that bid fell through after EU antitrust scrutiny. The current agreement reflects a more collaborative structure that shares risk and maintains continuity under infrastructure stewardship. Commenting on continuity, Techem's CEO Matthias Hartmann stated that the company's strategic direction would remain unchanged, emphasising a steady course under the incoming partners. The transaction parallels broader investment patterns in smart‑energy firms. Over the past year, GIC has partnered with investors such as EQT to acquire UK smart‑meter provider Calisen—a sign of growing interest in climate‑aligned infrastructure. With assets under management spanning global private markets, Partners Group leads the infrastructure side with over US$27 billion, while Mubadala and GIC bring sovereign-backed financial clout, and TPG Rise Climate adds dedicated impact‑investment expertise; together they form a powerful alliance geared towards scaling energy efficiency across European real estate.
Euronews
12-07-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Scientists debunk myths about ‘charismatic' raccoons in Germany
Once seen as endearing additions to European wildlife, North American raccoons have become a serious threat to Germany's ecosystem. Now, scientists are pushing back against popular myths that paint the invasive predator in a sympathetic light. A new paper from Frankfurt-based scientists, published in Ecological Indicators, calls for urgent action. The authors argue that raccoons are wreaking havoc on native flora and fauna, and that misinformation is fuelling the problem. Up to two million raccoons are now estimated to be in Germany, a population surge that has occurred despite animal control efforts. In urban areas like Kassel, which has one of the highest raccoon densities in Europe, there are more than 100 of the mostly nocturnal creatures per 100 hectares. That's roughly one per football pitch. Researchers say this explosion has triggered alarming losses among local species. Raccoons, they warn, are not opportunistic scavengers, as they are often portrayed, but rather effective predators. They raid nests, destroy clutches of eggs and young animals and exhibit what the scientists call a 'hunting frenzy' in sensitive habitats. Emotional myths hinder urgent action Led by researchers from Goethe University, the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center, the study set out to identify the different stages of the raccoon infestation in Germany in order to apply the finding to other invasive species in Europe. 'We are documenting a dramatic decline in sensitive species in areas with high raccoon densities,' says Dr Norbert Peter, who leads ZOWIAC (Zoonotic and Wildlife Ecological Impacts of Invasive Carnivores), the joint project that spearheaded this research. The raccoon's rapid spread, they found, has been accompanied by persistent misinformation, ranging from false claims that hunting makes them reproduce faster to unsupported ideas about their social structure. According to the authors, many of these narratives are rooted in outdated or misapplied studies. Many of them began in North America and followed the raccoons overseas. 'These myths have real-world consequences,' warns Dr Dorian Dörge, the project's scientific coordinator. 'They prevent necessary protective measures and thereby endanger already threatened native species.' Perceptions also play a powerful role. Research shows that raccoons' photogenic faces and playful behaviour contribute to a strong emotional bias among the public, one that can stifle science-based conservation efforts. And other approaches, such as sterilisation, are considered unfeasible, if not illegal under EU rules on managing invasive alien species. To reverse the damage, the researchers are calling for coordinated control plans, including increased hunting in sensitive areas, federal funding and improved public education. 'We must implement the legal requirements for species protection consistently,' says Professor Sven Klimpel, lead author of the study, 'and not let them be overridden by sympathy for charismatic animals.' Invasive species threaten biodiversity across Europe Germany's raccoons are not the continent's only invaders. The EU is facing a growing number of invasive alien species, fromalgae and poisonous fish that now populate the Mediterranean to so-called murder hornets. More than 12,000 alien species are present in Europe today, according to the European Commission. As many as 15 per cent are considered invasive. Nearly 90 of them are designated as 'of Union concern,' meaning member states are legally required to prevent their introduction, monitor their spread and control or eradicate them. In Europe, recent outbreaks include the Asian hornet, which has spread rapidly from France to as far away as Slovakia. Meanwhile, 900 invasive species pose threats to biodiversity in Mediterranean waters. Efforts to convert consumers intoculinary enthusiasts of species such as pufferfish have had halting success. These unwelcome creatures cost the EU an estimated €12 billion per year, according to the Commission. Globally, invasive species cost economies almost€400 billion. Much like the raccoons, some might not seem invasive, either. For example, theAfrican sacred ibis – a bird revered in ancient Egypt – is now setting off alarms among European officials. The bird has spread rapidly in northern Italy, preying on amphibians as well as the eggs and chicks of other species, such as tern and heron. As both cases show, combating invasive species requires a multi-pronged approach. One that can be as much about confronting misconceptions as managing ecosystems.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Commerzbank Plans to Sell SRT Tied to €2 Billion of Loans
(Bloomberg) -- Commerzbank AG plans to sell a significant risk transfer tied to a portfolio of corporate loans, according to people familiar with the matter, as the German lender moves to free up capital to fend off a potential takeover bid from UniCredit SpA. Frankfurt-based Commerzbank aims to issue an SRT tied to €2 billion ($2.4 billion) of loans, according to the people, who asked not to be named. The size of the SRT would be around 6.9% of the reference portfolio or about €140 million, they added. A representative for Commerzbank declined to comment. While Commerzbank has used SRTs for years, such transactions are now part of a wider plan by Chief Executive Officer Bettina Orlopp to keep the lender independent. Moody's Ratings on Thursday raised Commerzbank's credit rating, citing strengthened capitalization and improved profitability. UniCredit, led by Chief Executive Officer Andrea Orcel, bought a stake in Commerzbank from Germany's government in September and subsequently increased its holding. Orcel has renewed his push for a deal that he says would create a European banking champion, sending a letter last month to top German officials including Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Orlopp is seeking to unlock more capital, partly by using more significant risk transfers. Commerzbank's corporate clients unit expects SRTs to help it cut €10 billion in so-called risk-weighted assets in the years through 2028, division head Michael Kotzbauer said in a presentation on Thursday. Global sales of SRTs are expected to grow 11% on average over the next two years, according to a recent Bloomberg Intelligence survey. Aareal Bank AG, Erste Group Bank AG, Standard Chartered Plc and ING Groep NV are currently discussing or finalizing such deals. More stories like this are available on
Qatar Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Eurozone inflation ticks up moderately in June
Agencies Eurozone inflation ticked up slightly to 2.0% in June, in line with analyst forecasts and also meeting the target of the European Central Bank (ECB), official data showed on Tuesday. Inflation in the single currency area rose from the 1.9% recorded in May due to a slower decline in energy prices. Core inflation, which strips out volatile energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices and is a key indicator for the ECB, was stable at 2.3% in May, as predicted by economists for Bloomberg. The bank expects eurozone inflation to be on target this year as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff blitz exerts downward pressure on prices. The June rise in inflation was due to energy costs falling at a slower pace of 2.7% in June after a drop of 3.6% in May, Eurostat said. Food and drink price increases slowed slightly to 3.1% in June, compared to 3.2% in May. Inflation has significantly fallen from its record peak of 10.6% in October 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent energy prices sky-high. With inflation under control, the ECB has shifted to cutting interest rates to boost the eurozone's sluggish economic growth. The ECB has cut interest rates eight times since June last year when it began lowering borrowing costs. The next rate-setting meeting is on July 24. While it seems the 'fight against inflation has been largely won,' according to Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics, it leaves the bank 'with a difficult decision whether to call a halt to its easing cycle.' Kenningham said it was 'most likely' the ECB would leave its key deposit rate unchanged at 2.0% in July and make a final cut of 25 basis points in September. Tuesday's data also showed that consumer price rises in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, slowed in June to 2.0% in June from 2.1% in May. But in France, inflation accelerated to 0.8% in June from 0.6% in May. The Frankfurt-based ECB, however, warned Monday of 'new challenges' – from trade tensions to artificial intelligence – that could make inflation more volatile. 'The inflation environment will remain uncertain and potentially more volatile ... posing challenges for the conduct of monetary policy,' the ECB said.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
European Banks Face Hit to Profits in S&P Trade War Stress Test
(Bloomberg) -- European banks would see their profits eroded if an escalation of trade tensions with the US leads to souring corporate loans, according to S&P Global Ratings. Bezos Wedding Draws Protests, Soul-Searching Over Tourism in Venice US State Budget Wounds Intensify From Trump, DOGE Policy Shifts Taxi Wars Put Johannesburg Commuters in Peril as Rail Flounders Credit Agricole and BPCE of France, Frankfurt-based Commerzbank, Dutch lender Rabobank and Denmark's DLR Kredit stand to be hit hardest, according to calculations by the credit ratings company. S&P said none of the 91 banks it examined were projected to face an annual loss in its stress test. The uncertainty over how the US will implement tariffs on trading partners has investors asking how big the hit will be for Europe. Yet the region's lenders, often seen as a proxy for the broader economy, face the latest shock with comparatively low levels of bad loans and profits that have been bolstered by higher interest rates. Bloomberg reported last month that a biennial regulatory stress test run by the European Central Bank and the European Banking Authority is on track to deliver a lesser hit to banks' capital ratios than the previous one. S&P's test included three hypothetical scenarios for how an escalation of trade tensions could play out. In the most severe, the median hit to banks' profit stood at 29%, the ratings company said in a report to be published on Tuesday. S&P said the five banks stood out because they had a combination of more exposure to sectors for which it applied higher loss rates, larger loan books compared to total assets, lower expected profitability and higher economic risk in the countries where they operate. 'We believe our stress test findings support our assessment that European banks have improved their resilience to credit risks substantially,' S&P analysts including Nicolas Charnay in Paris, wrote. 'They also underpin our expectation that upcoming regulatory stress tests conducted by authorities will likely reach similar conclusions.' The EBA and ECB are scheduled to publish results of their own examination at the beginning of August. Watchdogs draw on the results to determine how much capital banks should hold as a safety cushion, which in turn influences the amount of money they have available for investor payouts. Luxury Counterfeiters Keep Outsmarting the Makers of $10,000 Handbags Is Mark Cuban the Loudmouth Billionaire that Democrats Need for 2028? Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Can 'MAMUWT' Be to Musk What 'TACO' Is to Trump? What Mike Tyson and the Bond Market Can Teach Trump on Debt ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
