Cleantech
Carlyle faces activist challenge to Japan Asia Group deal
An investment firm with ties to renowned Japanese activist investor Yoshiaki Murakami is challenging The Carlyle Group’s JPY37 ($355 million) bid for Japan Asia Group by launching a tender offer of its own.
Japan energy solutions buyback continues J-Star's exit run
J-Star, a Japanese lower middle-market GP, has announced its third liquidity event in the space of a week with the exit energy savings solutions provider ESCO via a buyout by company management.
Australia's VC-backed Xpansiv raises $40m pre-IPO round
Australia and US-based Xpansiv CBL, a VC-backed marketplace for clean commodities such as carbon offsets and renewable fuels, has raised $40 million with plans to list in Sydney this year.
Australia home solar fintech start-up raises $73m
Grok Ventures, an investment firm set up by Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, has led a A$100 million ($73 million) round for Australian household solar energy financier Brighte.
India renewables platform Ayana receives $70m
India’s Ayana Renewable Power has received $70 million in equity funding from a group of government-backed impact investors, including UK-based CDC Group.
LPs back Adamantem's emissions reduction drive
Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has made its first commitment to a private equity fund, coming in as an anchor investor in Adamantem Capital’s second buyout vehicle.
China Everbright raises $459m for BRI fund
China Everbright has reached a first close of RMB3 billion ($459 million) on an environment-focused fund that concentrates on economies covered by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Chinese EV maker Hozon raises $305m
Zhengjiang-based Electronic Vehicle (EV) start-up Hozon Auto has raised RMB2 billion ($305 million) from Huading Capital, a specialist EV investor.
AIIB backs ADM's renewable energy debt fund
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has committed $100 million to an Asia-focused debt fund dedicated to renewable energy managed by Hong Kong’s ADM Capital.
Fund focus: Equis’ infrastructure overhaul
Swapping a traditional fund for a less familiar corporate vehicle represented a gamble for Equis, but the Asian infrastructure manager was confident its approach would make sense to a subset of investors
Aavishkaar, Circulate invest $18m in Indian recycling company
Aavishkaar Capital and Circulate Capital have invested a combined $18 million in Indian waste recovery and recycling business Nepra.
ADIA, OTTP invest $1.2b in renewables-focused Equis
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTTP) have confirmed a $1.2 billion investment in Asia-focused renewable energy owner-operator Equis Development.
Manulife backs spinout from Hong Kong’s JIDA
Manulife Investment Management is supporting the spinout of the team at Hong Kong infrastructure investor JIDA Capital, acquiring a significant minority stake in the new GP.
Deal focus: V2Food tackles alternative protein’s price problem
Australia’s V2Food is bringing affordability to the alternative protein space as fresh funding fuels an Asian expansion. The China entry will be a delicate proposition
Carlyle targets Japan environmental business buyout - update
The Carlyle Group has launched a JPY37 billion ($355 million) buyout offer that would see it take control of Japan Asia Group, the Tokyo-listed holding company for several Japanese environment-related businesses, and two key subsidiaries.
China's Bits x Bites hits first close on second food tech fund
Chinese food and agriculture technology investor Bits x Bites has reached a first close of $30 million on its second VC fund. The target is $70 million.
KKR launches India renewable energy platform
KKR has launched a renewable energy platform in India called Virescent Infrastructure, which will build out a portfolio primarily comprising investments made by KKR’s existing infrastructure business.
Carlyle Asia fund supports $2.3b Siemens carve-out
The Carlyle Group’s Asia buyout fund has joined its European counterpart in the EUR2 billion ($2.3 billion) acquisition of Flender, a Siemens subsidiary that manufactures mechanical and electrical drive systems commonly used in wind turbines and industrial...
Deal focus: Delta, Daiwa target Myanmar’s PET peeve
Commercial Plastics Holding - the target of a rare Myanmar private equity buyout - is being positioned as a leader in the country's plastic bottle recycling industry
Proterra supports plant-based egg start-up's Asia rollout
A consortium led by Proterra Investment Partners has committed $100 million to the establishment of an Asian unit of Eat Just, the company behind the US vegan egg substitute brand Just Egg.
Australia's V2Food raises $55m Series B
Australian alternative protein producer V2Food has raised a A$77 million ($55 million) Series B round featuring Sequoia Capital China and Temasek Holdings.
Delta, Daiwa back Myanmar plastic recycler
Delta Capital Myanmar, formerly PMM Partners, and Daiwa Securities Group have invested $12.6 million in Myanmar recycling business Commercial Plastics Holding (CPC).
CDH, Oriza back Canadian Solar carve-out
Canadian Solar, a NASDAQ-listed solar power company, has raised RMB1.78 billion ($260 million) to carve out certain China-based assets ahead of a local IPO.
Deal focus: Affirma’s decade-long water turnaround
Having assumed full ownership of EMC Holdings in 2016, Affirma Capital rejuvenated the Korean wastewater management business through savvy acquisitions and encouraging management to get creative
