Séché boosts its presence in Chile’s waste management market

The acquisition of Hidronor makes the French company the leading hazardous waste management operation in Chile. 

Séché Environnement, a French industrial group with operations in nine different countries, has announced its acquisition of Hidronor, one of Chile’s leading industrial waste management companies.

According to Séché Environnement’s corporate website, the acquisition of Hidronor makes the company the leading hazardous waste management company in Chile, expanding its operations across Chile and increasing its capacity for treating hazardous and non-hazardous waste to better serve its main industrial customers.

At the same time, the European group took ownership of La Filippa, an Italian family-owned company founded in 2008 that operates a non-hazardous waste storage facility in Liguria.

According to the French firm, the group will use its available cash resources to finance these two acquisitions, with an overall impact on the conglomerate's net financial debt of about 230 million Euros (about US$268 million).

Both acquisitions will be finalized in the coming weeks and will take effect in 2026.

About Hidronor

Hidronor is Chile’s leading hazardous waste management firm. Founded in 1991, it was previously owned by private equity firm Equitas and the estate of Victor Hugo Puchi, which together held a majority stake of 51%. The Belgian holding company Machiels held the other 49%.

From Séché Environnement’s perspective, the Chilean firm has gained solid experience in the treatment of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste, building a portfolio of more than 2,500 mainly industrial clients in sectors such as mining, energy and chemicals.

Hidronor has three plants that together process 350,000 to 400,000 tons of waste annually. Its previous owners included the Equitas fund and the estate of Víctor Hugo Puchi, which together held a 51% share, and Belgian holding company Machiels, with the remaining 49%. Hidronor’s facilities are strategically located throughout Chile, allowing the company to provide nationwide coverage that, in the buyer’s opinion, complements "perfectly Séché Chile's facilities in the North (Antofagasta), Center (Pudahuel) and South (Copiulemu) of the country."

Hidronor is also present in the rapidly growing industrial waste valorization sector through its specialized subsidiary Greendot. With 260 employees, Hidronor generated revenues of about €42 million (US$49 million) in 2024.

According to Séché Environnement, the Chilean company has seen steady revenue growth of around 10% per year, underpinned by favorable price developments and a loyal customer base comprised mainly of large industrial groups, which provide a solid foundation of long-term contracts that mean 90% of its revenues are recurring.

Source: Diario Financiero.