Hera Group Expands Environmental Leadership with €138 Million Sostelia Acquisition
The Hera Group, a leading Italian multi-utility company, is bolstering its position in the environmental sector with the planned acquisition of Sostelia Group, a prominent private Italian firm specializing in water treatment technologies. The deal, valued at €138 million, will integrate Sostelia’s expertise into Hera’s existing operations, creating a major player in the Italian water treatment market.
The binding agreement, announced today, encompasses 100% of STA and its related subsidiaries – NTW, CID, NPC, Trentino Acque, COMS, Acque della Concordia, and Arcobaleno GC. The acquisition is currently subject to regulatory approvals and is anticipated to be finalized by the end of March 2026.
According to a company release, the acquisition is projected to increase the Hera Group’s consolidated gross operating margin by over €20 million annually, in addition to anticipated synergy benefits. “This is a great opportunity for the Sostelia Group,” stated President Stefano Speziali. “Becoming part of such an important reality is a positive thing both for the company and for our 350 employees. All this will also translate into new growth opportunities for the technicians and the front lines and in further employment development in Mantua, as well as in the other offices in Padua, Rovigo, Trento and Treviso.”
The move positions the combined entity as a comprehensive provider of water treatment solutions, spanning from the initial design and construction (EPC) phases through management and maintenance (O&M), and extending to the treatment and disposal of liquid waste and sludge. This integrated approach will be significantly enhanced through synergies with Herambiente, a Hera subsidiary and a leading Italian environmental operator.
These synergies are expected to drive value creation by expanding Herambiente’s commercial offerings. The integration of Sostelia’s services will allow Herambiente to provide customers with additional capabilities, including plant revamping, design solutions for new facilities, and the management of existing private plants – ultimately ensuring greater reliability and reduced operating costs. Sostelia’s existing customer base also presents a significant opportunity for Herambiente to broaden its service portfolio.
A key element of the acquisition lies in the combined know-how of Sostelia and the Hera Group in the integrated water cycle, encompassing both civil and industrial applications. The Hera Group already possesses extensive experience in managing numerous plants dedicated to civil purification and industrial wastewater treatment. Sostelia complements this with its advanced technologies for industrial wastewater and sludge treatment, water resource recovery, and addressing emerging challenges related to the recent EU directive 2024/3019, which mandates stricter standards for urban wastewater treatment. Specifically, Sostelia offers solutions for the abatement of PFAS, a class of pollutants with significant environmental impact.
More broadly, the combination of Sostelia’s technical expertise, plant management capabilities, and commercial reach will enable the Hera Group to expand its customer base, diversify its revenue streams, and enhance the resilience of its business in a sector demanding rapid response times, high-quality service, and continuous innovation.
