Glanua, an engineering company in Co. Galway, has acquired UK-based Marches Biogas, an engineering and services firm that specialises in anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas production.
Glanua, which is based in Loughrea, provides engineering solutions to design, build and deliver critical water, wastewater and energy infrastructure across Ireland and the UK.
The company’s clients include ABP, Kerry Group, Glanbia, Uisce Éireann, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Northern Ireland Water.
Glanua is currently undergoing significant expansion and recently opened four new offices across Ireland and the UK.
The financial details of the sale were not disclosed as part of today’s announcement.
Acquisition
Founded in 2009, Shropshire-based Marches Biogas was acquired by its management and employees in 2020. The company recorded sales of £6 million in 2023 and employs 27 people.
The acquisition means that Glanua’s workforce has now increased to over 600 people, 130 of whom are UK-based.
Marches Biogas has extensive experience in the design, construction, installation, training, operation and maintenance of AD and biogas plants.
The firm has built over 30 AD plants ranging from 50 Kilowatt-electric (kWe) to large-scale facilities utilising feedstocks including energy crops, farm slurries, food and industrial wastes.
Glanua
Karl Zimmerer, group managing director of Glanua, said that the latest acquisition will position the company as a specialist in the design, construction, and operation of AD and biogas plants.
“This acquisition strengthens our position in the UK and aligns with our growth strategy and our sustainability goals.
“It expands our capabilities, broadens our customer base, and enables us to better serve industrial clients who increasingly require anaerobic digestion solutions, while also opening the door to new opportunities in the municipal market.
“This acquisition highlights our commitment to advancing the circular economy by transforming organic waste into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion technologies,” he added.
Keith Knight, director at Marches Biogas said they were pleased to be joining Glanua.
“Marches Biogas has a long history of providing excellent anaerobic digestion and biogas engineering technologies and services and we look forward to both continuing to serve our existing clients and growing our client base within the Glanua Group,” he said.
The acquisition comes after Glanua recently announced it had received significant funding from Rabobank to support its continuing expansion.
It also follows a period of growth for Glanua in the past 18 months following the rebranding of the company to Glanua in July 2023.
Total revenue in Glanua amounted to €97 million in 2022 and increased to €150 million in 2023.
The group’s long-term strategic plan is to grow turnover to €400 million by 2028.
