Schroders Greencoat acquires APF Energy

Schroders' energy-transition infrastructure investment manager has acquired APF Energy, a biomethane platform based in the Netherlands.

Schroders Greencoat took over APF Energy from SWEN Capital Partners via its direct impact strategy, SWEN Impact Fund for Transition, and APF BV.

APF Energy provides energy that can be used as a direct substitute for natural gas by producing biomethane from agricultural manure and food by-products.

APF Energy operates brownfield biogas plants. It comprises six assets, including three fully operational sites and three at construction stage, plus a late-stage pipeline. These generate biomethane from a feedstock mix of agriculture manure and food by-products, addressing nitrate challenges associated with the Netherlands' livestock industry.

Schroders Greencoat said the country's high volume of agricultural feedstock, combined with one of the densest gas distribution networks in Europe, makes it a particularly attractive market for biomethane development.

Paris-based SWEN Capital Partners operates in private markets, specialising in private equity, unlisted infrastructure and private debt.

SWEN Capital Partners managing director François Pasquier and principal Grégoire Allemandou said: "Schroders Greencoat's deep expertise in bioenergy and energy transition infrastructure makes them the great partner to take the platform to its next stage of growth. We are also particularly pleased that this transaction marks the first exit from our second vintage, SWEN Impact Fund for transition 2 (SWIFT 2), reflecting our strategy of backing high-quality platforms in the renewable molecules sector."

Schroders Capital global head of infrastructure Minal Patel said biomethane has an increasingly important role to play in the European energy transition, particularly in sectors where other low-carbon solutions are less readily available.

"The Netherlands is one of the more advanced markets due to its mature regulatory framework, strong policy support for renewable gas and well-established infrastructure. This platform gives us a strong foothold from which to apply the expertise we have built across our bioenergy portfolio," Patel said.