Circularity

We invest in

A path to sustainability

In a world where resource scarcity is becoming a pressing issue, companies that adopt circular economy principles can thrive. By rethinking water access and security, fostering reuse business models, optimizing product design and creating circular loops for waste and water recycling, we can invest in companies generating attractive financial value, while reducing environmental impact and preserving people health.

The circular economy directly addresses some of the most critical and complex issues of our time: water stress, CO₂ emissions from materials, biodiversity loss, and dependence on imports. The EU Taxonomy framework serves as our guiding compass for investing in companies that deliver essential services and enhance quality of life – by leading the way in circularity, zero-pollution strategies, and water security solutions.

Sub themes: Waste & recycling, water, depollution, sustainable materials
Theme lead: bertrand.camus@summaequity.com
Current investments: 3
Exited investments: 2
Investment range: EUR 50m – EUR 200m
SDG alignments: 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
Thematic reports: Investing in a circular and waste-free Europe

What are challenges

CO2 Emissions

Materials account for ~1/3 of global CO2 emissions, driving the need to decarbonize to prevent further resource depletion and biodiversity loss

Steel, aluminum, plastics, cement, and food system generate 15bn tons of CO2 emissions annually
Each year the European material system loses over EUR 78bn due to the lack of a circular economy

Water stress

Intensifying climate risks are threatening water security with 700m people potentially displaced due to intense water scarcity by 2030

Investment and consumption patterns are forcing a strategic pivot towards adaptation vs. mitigation
The traditional separation of water quantity, quality and continuity is no longer tenable: when one fails, all parameters are challenged

Air pollution

Air pollution was responsible of 8.1m premature death in 2021, making it the second leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. It remains a major global health challenge, with a particularly heavy toll on the most vulnerable populations (of these more than 700,000 deaths were among children under the age of 5)

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