The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has announced its decision to clear the acquisition of Bord na Móna Recycling Ltd by KAES Recycling Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of the KWD Group, subject to legally binding commitments. This decision was made after the proposed acquisition was notified to the CCPC on February 7, 2025, following extensive pre-notification discussions.

During its preliminary investigation, the CCPC assessed the potential impact of the acquisition on competition within the waste collection services sector, particularly in specific regions of Leinster and Munster. The CCPC expressed concerns regarding the competitive landscape in these areas and the implications for consumers.

To alleviate these concerns, KAES Recycling has agreed to divest a number of domestic and commercial customers to another waste collection provider, which will be approved by the CCPC. This approach mirrors previous remedies accepted by the CCPC in similar waste management mergers, such as the Thorntons/City Bin and Pandagreen/Exomex cases.

Additionally, KAES Recycling has committed to ensuring that the customers being transferred will receive adequate support throughout the transition and will be fully informed of their rights and options. An independent monitoring trustee will be appointed to oversee compliance with these commitments.

Despite approving the merger, the CCPC maintains that the household waste collection market in Ireland is not performing well for consumers. The authority continues to advocate for structural changes in this market and has called for the establishment of an economic regulator for household waste collection, as highlighted in its 2018 report on the sector.