Reconomy expands U.S. operations with acquisition of Vermilion

Founded in 1976, Vermilion has established itself as a dominant force in managing the lifecycle of post-consumer products. Utilizing a proprietary technology platform, the company oversees the track and trace of materials from collection points to their final destination, whether that be reuse, recycling, or secure disposal. Vermilion’s operations are underpinned by a patented reverse logistics packaging and kiosk collection system, further solidifying its position as an industry innovator.

The acquisition aligns perfectly with Reconomy’s existing operations, particularly its Comply Loop division, which serves over 15,000 global customers, including numerous Fortune 500 companies. Vermilion’s advanced technology and extensive customer base will integrate into Comply Loop, enhancing its capabilities and extending its reach within the U.S. market.

This acquisition follows Reconomy’s earlier purchase of Lincoln Waste Solutions, a full-service waste and recycling management company based in Connecticut, announced in August 2024. The Lincoln acquisition marked Reconomy’s first major step into the U.S. market, and the addition of Vermilion further solidifies its foothold.

Commenting on the acquisition, Guy Wakeley, CEO of Reconomy, stated: “Following the recent acquisition of Lincoln, this transaction is another important strategic milestone for Reconomy as we accelerate our growth plans in the U.S. It brings new customers, technology, and specialist capabilities in the fast-growing take-back solutions market to our existing Comply operations in North America. We welcome the Vermilion team to Reconomy and look forward to working closely with them to achieve our mission of enabling the circular economy.”

Patrick Wiedemann, Divisional CEO of Comply at Reconomy, added: “Vermilion adds new expertise in the take-back solutions market which represents an exciting area of growth as we expand further across the U.S. and North America. The scale of environmental compliance is accelerating internationally, creating complex challenges for brands, so we must continually add to our services to help businesses navigate this complex, changing landscape.”

Mike Pietrini, CEO of Vermilion, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are excited to join Reconomy at a time when it is achieving rapid and sustainable international growth. We bring specialist capabilities in the growing take-back solutions market, which complement Reconomy’s wide-ranging customer proposition. There are many opportunities to collaborate successfully with Reconomy’s Comply Loop as, together, we lead the way in environmental compliance management, take-back, collection, and circularity solutions for end-of-life materials.”

Reconomy’s growth

Reconomy has seen significant growth in recent years, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. The company’s revenue, estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of pounds, reflects its robust position in the market. As of 2021, Reconomy’s revenue was approximately £ 800 million. Owned by Triton Partners since July 2021.