mynth
10/2024Majority

Tomra takes majority stake in C-Trace

GERMANY Software / Industry-Specific Software EV €50–150M

Context

In October 2024, TOMRA acquired an 80% stake in c-trace from its founders and historical shareholders. The remaining 20% is retained by the founders, with TOMRA holding an option to acquire this residual stake after a two-year period. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Beyond the equity investment, the deal reflects TOMRA's strategic intention to expand its scope beyond its traditional automated collection and material sorting activities. The group aims to strengthen its exposure to digital solutions applied to waste management and accelerate its external growth strategy in complementary segments. In this context, c-trace brings software, operational tracking tools, and data analytics capabilities that enable TOMRA to extend its offerings across the entire recycling value chain, from waste collection to material processing. The acquisition also allows the group to establish a stronger presence in a market driven by the digital transformation of environmental services and increasingly stringent waste management regulations. By combining c-trace's technologies with its global network and international customer base, TOMRA plans to accelerate innovation, develop new high-value services, and support the geographic expansion of the acquired company. For c-trace, the partnership provides access to TOMRA's global commercial footprint and technological and industrial resources, creating the conditions for a faster internationalization of its solutions.

C-Trace, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2023, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 10x–18x, standing directly in line with the average observed in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (16.1x in 2024).

-> Deep-dive in TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) market trends

Target

Founded in 2005 in Germany, c-trace is a leading provider of digital solutions for the waste management sector. The company has developed an integrated platform that combines software, onboard equipment, sensors, geolocation systems, and data analytics tools to digitize waste collection, transportation, and management operations. Its solutions enable local authorities and private operators to enhance the efficiency of their routes, optimize equipment utilization, strengthen waste flow traceability, and comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. With a comprehensive technological offering and an established client base among municipalities and environmental specialists, c-trace has established itself as a market leader in the German waste management market, the largest in Europe. Furthermore, the company distinguishes itself through its investment in artificial intelligence-based technologies, which facilitate the automation of certain tasks, predictive analytics of operations, and improved decision-making based on data collected in the field.

Ent. Value

€50–150M

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

2x–6x

EV / EBITDA

10x–18x

EV / EBIT

15x–25x

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2023
€10–30M
€5–25M
€0–5M
2022
€10–30M
€5–25M
€0–5M

Similar deals in Software

Similar deals in Software
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
11/2024SOGELINKNETISYSFRANCEIndustry-Specific Software
11/2024NORDIC CAPITALANAQUAUNITED STATESIndustry-Specific Software
10/2024VERTISEITVISUAL ART SWEDENSWEDENMarTech
10/2024BONNIER CAPITALVERTISEITSWEDENMarTech
10/2024SAGARDFUTUR MASTERFRANCESupply Chain & Ops
10/2024CAPZAJVS GROUPFRANCEIndustry-Specific Software
10/2024VAISALANEVIS TECHNOLOGYUNITED KINGDOMIndustry-Specific Software
10/2024GROUPE LACOURDRAGON2000UNITED KINGDOMAutomotive
10/2024SESA GROUPSMART ENGINEERINGGERMANYEngineering & Design Software
10/2024VERALTO CORPORATIONTRACEGAINSUNITED STATESIndustry-Specific Software

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €50–150M

Revenue range: €10–30M

EBITDA range: €5–25M

EV/Revenue range: 2x - 6x

EV/EBITDA range: 10x - 18x

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of C-Trace by Tomra are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Press release: view release

Target: c-trace

Acquirer: tomra

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers the acquisition of a majority stake in C-Trace, a German company specialised in Industry-Specific Software, by Tomra in 2024.

How was the acquisition of C-Trace by Tomra valued, and what multiples were paid?

mynth displays the transaction’s enterprise value within the €50–150M band, its EV/EBITDA multiple within the 10x - 18x range, and its EV/revenue multiple within the 2x - 6x range. Exact figures are available to members.

What were C-Trace’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, C-Trace generated annual revenue estimated in the €10–30M range and EBITDA in the €5–25M bracket (FY 2023). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

How does the valuation of C-Trace compare to benchmarks in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector?

With an estimated multiple range of 10x - 18x, the transaction stands directly in line with historical averages for the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (16.1x in 2024).

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Information on this transaction is sourced from the official corporate announcement published by the parties, corroborated by a private document shared by the community and verified by the mynth team to ensure the accuracy of the shared information.

What is mynth?

mynth is the first free M&A database dedicated to Small & Mid-Cap transactions. We centralize Enterprise Values, revenue multiples, EBITDA multiples and transaction financials that are typically locked behind five-figure subscriptions on platforms like Capital IQ or Mergermarket. On mynth, searching and browsing deals is completely free. Our mission is simple: make professional-grade valuation intelligence accessible to every M&A advisor, independent consultant, Private Equity professional and student, without the burden of expensive annual licenses.