Signing of an agreement to acquire the Scholz Recycling Group

Signing of an agreement to acquire the Scholz Recycling Group

Paris, May 5th, 2026 – Derichebourg SA (ISIN code: FR000053381, Ticker: DBG) today announces the signing of an agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of the Scholz Recycling Group (“Scholz”). This strategic acquisition continues the Group’s international growth and strategy to secure its leading position in the global metal waste recycling industry.

Strengthening Derichebourg Group’s global competitiveness

Founded in 1872, Scholz Recycling is one of Europe’s leading metal recycling companies. With a turnover of €1.6 billion in 2025, the group has a long-standing industrial presence in Germany, as well as in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, and through joint ventures in Austria and Romania. In 2025 Scholz sold over 3 million tonnes of recycled ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, paper, cardboard and plastics. The Scholz Group has over 3,500 employees and operates 180 sites worldwide, including joint-ventures.

This acquisition would enable Derichebourg to:

• Expand operational scale by integrating a network of over 100 recycling centres (180 including joint ventures) located in countries where the group has little or no business.
• Support the decarbonisation of the steel industry in Europe to meet the growing demand from European steelmakers who are replacing their traditional blast furnaces with electric arc furnaces which consume large quantities of high-quality scrap metal.
• Optimise operational efficiency through complementary logistical and commercial operations across Europe.

A secure and transparent competitive process

The acquisition is a result of a competitive tender process conducted by receivers following the enforcement of security interests against the parent holding company of Scholz Recycling, Chiho Environmental Group Limited (“Chiho”). Derichebourg wishes to clarify the following points:

1. Operational strength of the target: Scholz Recycling is a fully solvent company with independent governance and a sound financial structure. Its business operations remain insulated from the difficulties faced by Chiho.
2. The transaction is being carried out on an arms-length basis and on market terms. Its selection as the winning bidder reflects the strength of the Group’s financial position, commercial credibility and industrial strategy.

Terms & conditions and timetable for the operation

The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of customary conditions precedent in such cases including approvals relating to merger control and foreign investment.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

Whilst the Group will seek to swiftly conclude the transaction, note that under the security enforcement process and terms of the appointment of the receivers Chiho retains the right, until the transaction is completed, to settle with secured creditor in order to obtain the release of security interests and thereby terminate the transaction.

Financing

The transaction would be financed entirely from Derichebourg’s existing cash resources and credit facilities (bridge loan provided by BNP Paribas).

The Group emphasises that this transaction:

• Maintains a strong balance sheet for the Group: The debt ratio would remain below the Group’s prudential limits.
• Creates value: Meeting internal rate of return criteria, the acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings per share (EPS) in the medium term,thanks to Scholz’s development and identified synergies.

Statement from the CEO

Abderaman El Aoufir, Chief Executive Officer of Derichebourg SA, said: “This project would mark a pivotal step in our international expansion strategy. We have been able to nimbly seize a complex market opportunity thanks to the strength of our balance sheet and our industrial vision. The Scholz teams are demonstrating exceptional resilience, and we look forward to joining forces to build thanks to our complementarity a major European player in recycling, serving the green transition.”

About Derichebourg

The Derichebourg Group is a major international operator in waste recycling, mainly metal and public sector services. The group currently operates in 13 countries and has 5,393 employees worldwide. In 2025, the Derichebourg Group generated revenue of €3.3 billion.

For more information: http://www.derichebourg.com

Contacts

Derichebourg
Investor Relations and Communication
communication@derichebourg.com

NewCap
Investor Relations
Louis-Victor Delouvrier/ Théo Martin
derichebourg@newcap.eu
T.: 01 44 71 94 94