Ara’s Infrastructure Fund invests to improve NWP’s recycling and energy recovery, furthering industrial decarbonization.

DUBLIN, Feb. 18, 2025 — Ara Partners, a global investment firm specializing in decarbonization, today announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Natural World Products (“NWP”), Ireland’s leading household organic waste recycler. This acquisition will see Ara expand NWP’s operations into new recycling and decarbonization projects. Ara Infrastructure has pledged additional funding to support NWP’s growth and infrastructure development.

Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, NWP is a key player in organic waste recycling, contributing significantly to Ireland’s circular economy. Its infrastructure is vital for clients meeting net-zero targets; over 1.5 million tonnes of organic waste have been diverted from landfills in the last five years. Under CEO Colm Warren, NWP benefits from a skilled team with a proven record of operational success and growth.

“NWP’s growth shows how a local SME¹, with the right vision, team, and support, can become a platform attracting substantial institutional infrastructure investment,” said Warren. “This investment is a major milestone for Ireland’s organics, soil health, and decarbonization sectors, accelerating NWP’s growth and broader infrastructure solutions for sustainable economic progress. We’re delighted to partner with Ara and look forward to collaborating with Teresa and her team to achieve our shared vision.”

“NWP is crucial in achieving our net-zero goals and aligns perfectly with Ara Infrastructure’s investment strategy. Its market-leading organic recycling capabilities present a major opportunity to create a fully integrated waste-to-energy business,” added Teresa O’Flynn, Partner and Co-Head of Ara Infrastructure. “We look forward to working with Colm and his team to capitalize on opportunities in this dynamic market.”

About Natural World Products
Natural World Products is Ireland’s leading organic waste recycler, managing 330,000 tonnes of household organics annually across the island. It handles 50% of all recycled Local Authority Collected Municipal Waste in Northern Ireland, assisting councils in meeting statutory targets and Net Zero commitments. Headquartered in West Belfast, NWP also operates in Armagh, Craigavon, Antrim, and Down. Over the past decade, it has diverted over 2 million tonnes of organic waste from landfills.

About Ara Partners
Ara Partners is a global private equity and infrastructure investment firm focused on industrial decarbonization. Established in 2017, Ara Partners aims to develop and expand companies with significant decarbonization impact across industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and green fuels, and food and agriculture. The firm has offices in Houston, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Dublin. As of September 2024, Ara Partners managed approximately $6.3 billion in assets.

^{1. Small and medium-sized enterprise – SMEs include businesses with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of up to £50 million.}

Media Contacts

For Natural World Products:
Stephen Smith
Lighthouse Communications

For Ara Partners:
Catherine MacDonald
Head of Marketing and Communications

+1 (857) 309-4555

SOURCE Ara Partners

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