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Germany Cracks Down on Remondis’ Waste Management Dominance with New Merger Rules

A landmark ruling could halt Remondis’ expansion in waste collection and recycling. The company vows to fight back—but will the courts side with regulators?

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Cartel Office Tightens Control Over Waste Giant Remondis - Germany Cracks Down on Remondis’ Waste Management Dominance with New Merger Rules

Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has imposed stricter controls on waste management giant Remondis after a sector inquiry revealed its dominant market position. The company, part of the Rethmann Group, must now seek approval for any future acquisitions in waste collection and glass processing for the next three years. Remondis has already signalled plans to challenge the ruling in court.

The Cartel Office’s decision follows a 2023 investigation into the waste management industry. It found that the Rethmann Group held a clear lead over competitors, largely due to years of unchecked expansion. Previously, merger rules only applied to firms with revenues above €17.5 million, allowing Remondis to acquire smaller rivals without scrutiny.

Remondis disputes the findings, arguing that municipal operators control around half the market. The company insists it faces strong competition from state-owned entities. However, its own growth tells a different story: revenue soared from €6.1 billion in 2016 to €13.2 billion in 2024, driven by acquisitions.

The new rules mean any takeover by Remondis in key sectors will require prior approval. This could block further expansion, disrupting a strategy that has seen it become Germany’s largest waste management firm. With 46,000 employees, the company runs collection, recycling, and disposal services nationwide.

A legal challenge is now expected. Remondis plans to appeal to the Higher Regional Court in Düsseldorf, aiming to overturn the Cartel Office’s restrictions.

The Cartel Office’s intervention marks a shift in how Germany regulates waste management mergers. For the next three years, Remondis must notify authorities before buying competitors in waste collection or glass processing. The decision could slow its growth and reshape the industry’s competitive landscape.

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