CCPC issues decision on KWD Group acquisition of Bord na Móna Recycling
April 10, 2025
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has cleared, subject to a number of legally binding commitments, the proposed acquisition by KAES Recycling Holdings Ltd, part of the KWD Group, of Bord na Móna Recycling Ltd (M/25/010).
The proposed acquisition was notified to the CCPC on Friday 7 February 2025 following detailed pre-notification discussions between the merging parties and the CCPC’s case team. The merging parties proposed remedies early in the review process.
The CCPC undertook a preliminary investigation which looked at how the deal would affect levels of competition between providers of waste collection services. During this investigation, the CCPC had particular concerns about how levels of competition in certain parts of Leinster and Munster would be affected by the proposed acquisition. To address the CCPC’s concerns, KAES Recycling has agreed to divest a certain number of domestic and ‘commercial & industrial’ customers in these areas to another waste collection provider, to be approved by the CCPC. The CCPC has approved similar remedies in previous waste mergers such as Thorntons/City Bin and Pandagreen/Exomex.
The commitments given by KAES Recycling also include obligations that will ensure that transferring customers will be supported throughout the process and that they will be fully informed of their rights and options.
The CCPC has accepted the commitments made by KAES Recycling and approved the purchase. An independent monitoring trustee will be appointed to make sure that KAES Recycling complies with these commitments.
Notwithstanding this merger decision, the CCPC continues to be of the view that the household waste collection market in Ireland is not delivering strong outcomes for consumers. It continues to be the CCPC’s view that structural changes are required in this market and that an economic regulator for household waste collection should be established. The CCPC’s 2018 report and recommendations on the Operation of the Household Waste Collection Market in Ireland is available here.
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