De Duurzame Adviseurs DDA
- acquired by -
Apave

Aventis Advisors successfully advised Apave, a global leader specialising in the management of technical, environmental, human and digital risks, in its acquisition of De Duurzame Adviseurs (DDA), a Dutch leader in decarbonisation consultancy.

Background

The Apave Group has reached a major turning point by consolidating its sustainability expertise within Apave Impact. This new entity serves as the Group’s specialist platform to support the responsible transition of companies and organisations across France, Europe, and internationally.

Apave Impact distinguishes itself through its commitment to “practical sustainability”, an approach that is both concrete and operational. Its experts possess deep, hands-on experience with the facilities and infrastructure unique to our clients’ industries. They support every stage of the sustainable transition, from initial emissions measurement and ecological assessments to the definition and management of decarbonisation roadmaps and regulatory compliance.

For over 20 years, DDA has supported SMEs and public institutions through their environmental transitions, establishing itself as a market leader for the “CO₂-Prestatieladder” standard in the Benelux region. The company provides a comprehensive suite of services, including carbon footprint assessments, decarbonisation roadmap definition, and strategic ESG consultancy. Leveraging this high-level expertise,
DDA supports its customers toward a tangible, value-creating reduction of their environmental, social and governance footprint.

This acquisition aligns with Apave’s strategy of strengthening its certification ‘green & social’ services and expanding its presence in Netherlands and Europe.

The Challenge

The primary goal for Apave was to identify a strategic acquisition that would bolster its “Green & Social” service range, while strengthening its presence in the Netherlands.

The challenge was to identify a partner that would grant Apave’s international clients access to cutting-edge decarbonisation expertise, while offering the Dutch market the full range of the Group’s solutions.

Transaction

Aventis Advisors provided buy-side advisory support to Apave throughout the transaction process, leveraging expertise to:

• Identify DDA as a strategic acquisition target through its network
• Facilitate management introductions and strategic discussions
• Guide Apave through negotiations and due diligence

The result was a successful acquisition, strengthening Apave’s sustainability platform in the Benelux region and contributing to its European growth strategy.

Outcome

Philippe MAILLARD, Chief Executive Officer of the Apave Group, emphasised the significance of this
strategic shift: “In the face of the climate emergency and evolving expectations regarding transparency, businesses need partners capable of transforming sustainability challenges into genuine performance drivers. The launch of Apave Impact consolidates this offering. Through the integration of DDA, we are reaching a new technical and organisational milestone in delivering practical sustainability. This merger reinforces our role as a trusted third party, which is essential for securing sustainable business models.”

Aventis Advisors Will Help You Navigate the Polish M&A Landscape

While evaluating financials is important, acquiring a company involves much more. It’s about finding the right cultural fit, understanding market trends, and ensuring a seamless integration post-acquisition. Polish M&A advisors bring local expertise, alongside helping you identify the most strategic acquisition targets, navigate the complexities of the deal, and improve the probability of a transaction.

Aventis Advisors is an M&A advisor with expertise in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) sector. Our team has accumulated significant know-how in helping buyers and sellers navigate the unique complexities of buy-side M&A in this specialized industry. With our experience in bringing together investors and targets across the TIC landscape, you can trust us to take care of all your investment needs, from understanding sector-specific financials to identifying strategic opportunities in a fragmented market.

Contact us if you want to learn more about M&A in the TIC sector. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and find the best deals for you.