News in the spotlight: Permira takes stake in Quadrante to back energy transition growth
Permira has announced a strategic majority investment in Quadrante, a leading Iberian consulting firm specialising in engineering, architecture, environment and sustainability.
Products and Services
Deutsche Bank backs Lufthansa SAF partnership
Deutsche Bank has invested in the deployment of approximately 1,600 metric tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with the Lufthansa Group, cutting an estimated 5,500 metric tonnes of CO₂ compared with conventional kerosene and advancing the decarbonisation of business travel. The deal is a SAF bulk deal under Lufthansa’s corporate programmes, where companies invest in SAF volumes and receive Scope 3 certificates aligned with the GHG Protocol. The SAF, produced from biogenic residues, has a lifecycle CO₂ footprint at least 80% lower than fossil jet fuel and is fed into airport infrastructure within six months of purchase, supporting broader use across Lufthansa’s route network rather than being tied to a single flight. The investment is part of Deutsche Bank’s plan to nearly halve CO₂ emissions along its supply chain by 2030 compared with 2019 and signals that reliable corporate demand will help SAF producers scale production and reduce costs.
Permira takes stake in Quadrante to back energy transition growth
Permira has announced a strategic majority investment in Quadrante, a leading Iberian consulting firm specialising in engineering, architecture, environment and sustainability. The transaction, expected to close in Q4 2026, brings Permira into Quadrante’s shareholder base alongside its management, founders and Henko Partners, who will remain significant investors. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Permira’s investment is intended to accelerate Quadrante’s growth and international expansion, with a particular focus on the US, while strengthening support to its blue‑chip customers and intensifying the use of AI to deliver more creative engineering solutions. The deal is Permira’s second under its Energy Transition strategy, following its recent investment in CDP, the global environmental disclosure system. Quadrante’s ambition is to become a globally diversified engineering partner of scale focused on energy transition and critical infrastructure assets, and Permira will bring its global footprint, digital capabilities and experience in scaling high‑growth companies to support that agenda.
ESG Data and Analytics
EthiFinance and ESG Book to merge into European Sustainability Ratings Platform
EthiFinance and ESG Book have announced a transaction to create one of Europe’s largest independent credit and sustainability rating agencies, operating under the EthiFinance brand. The combination results in the only independent European player at scale providing both sustainability and credit ratings, offering a credible alternative to US incumbents and filling a sustainable data gap in private markets. The merged group will have more than 300 employees across Europe, the US, India and Japan, serving over 500 clients and covering more than 10,000 issuers globally (up to 76,000 for certain datasets). Its product suite covers ESG and credit ratings, sustainability and credit data, portfolio analytics, regulatory reporting, benchmarking and supply chain risk management, delivered through a fully integrated technology platform with global data infrastructure. The deal is positioned as a strategic response to the implementation of ESMA’s new ESG rating regime, which came into application on 2 July 2026 and requires ESG rating providers to be authorised and supervised by ESMA.