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ABENEX Industrie 9.0: Investing in the Decarbonization of Industrial SMEs

  • Jan 20
  • 2 min read

Private Market Square presents ABENEX Industrie 9.0, ABENEX’s new private equity strategy focused on French industrial SMEs, with a strong emphasis on decarbonization and Industry 4.0. This innovative fund combines financial performance with environmental impact and is now open to private investors via Airfund.

ABENEX: a pioneer in French private equity

With over 30 years of experience, ABENEX has invested nearly €2 billion across more than 100 transactions. Its 50-professional team, based in Paris, Lyon, Amsterdam, and Milan, offers several strategies:

  • Mid-cap: SMEs valued between €100–300 million, supported in their growth.

  • Small-cap: smaller SMEs with high growth potential.

  • ABENEX Industrie 9.0: French industrial SMEs, with a focus on sustainable performance and energy transition.

Why invest in ABENEX Industrie 9.0?

The fund’s strategy is based on two key convictions:

  • Sustainable value creation: ABENEX is a mission-driven company, B Corp certified, committed to Net Zero.

  • Performance potential of industrial SMEs: strong track record in the industrial sector, with over €300 million invested in industrial companies.

The fund targets profitable companies growing at least 10% per year, with genuine decarbonization and energy efficiency potential. Selected sectors include manufacturing, defense, and businesses with inherent environmental impact (recycling, energy efficiency technologies).

ESG and sustainability integrated into the strategy

ABENEX Industrie 9.0 is classified as an Article 9 SFDR fund, with clear ESG criteria:

  • Decarbonization: reducing GHG emissions by ≥5% per year, aligned with the Paris Agreement.

  • Environmental and social criteria tailored to each company: waste management, water cycle, workplace accidents, gender equality, and value sharing.

Aligning financial performance with ESG impact is central to the strategy, including manager compensation tied to these objectives.

Operational support and industrial innovation

ABENEX supports its portfolio companies through:

  • A dedicated operational team, working directly with management on strategy, external growth, HR, IT, and sustainability.

  • An industrial advisory committee of experts in industry and decarbonization to challenge investments.

  • Integration of Industry 4.0 technologies: robotics, AI, IoT, and connectivity to modernize companies and enhance performance.

Investment examples

  • Blanchon: wood treatment specialist with Scope 1, 2, 3 carbon footprint management and eco-friendly product lines.

  • Industrial companies focused on energy efficiency and ecological transition.

Investing in the fund

ABENEX now opens this fund to private investors, offering access to a strategy historically reserved for institutional investors. The opportunity: transform existing SMEs toward a greener economy while achieving solid financial performance.

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