Newsletter Q1 2025
From Momentum to Maturity – A Quarter of Strategic Progress
As 2025 unfolds, Europe is entering a pivotal phase for climate solutions. The newly launched Clean Industrial Deal signals a bold acceleration of the EU’s ambitions, with €480 billion in annual investment earmarked to decarbonize industry and scale clean technology across the continent. It’s a policy shift that positions climate action as a cornerstone of industrial competitiveness and economic resilience. In Germany, the new coalition government has reaffirmed its commitment to climate leadership by prioritizing industrial decarbonization, expanding support for energy efficiency, and accelerating renewable deployment—creating an increasingly favorable environment for climate solution investors and operators.
But ambition alone is not enough. Turning policy into progress will depend on execution—resolving bottlenecks, channeling funds efficiently, and ensuring rapid and effective implementation. At Vidia, we believe this is where private equity plays a vital role: driving operational excellence and deploying capital into companies that can deliver impact at scale.
Across our portfolio, we see strong evidence of this momentum maturing into measurable results. One example is in plastics recycling, where our platform is experiencing increasing demand for high-performance technical materials. In this value chain, compounding plays a critical role. These engineered polymers are already being used in demanding sectors—from automotive to consumer electronics—helping reduce dependence on virgin plastics while meeting strict quality and regulatory standards. It’s a powerful demonstration of how technical depth and innovation in a traditional industry can lead to real-world sustainability impact, meeting rapidly increasing customer demand for circular materials.
At Vidia, we are celebrating a personal milestone, which I am excited and proud to share: the promotion of Philipp Hoffmann to Partner. Philipp’s path to partnership spans over a decade of collaboration—shaped by trust, shared ambition, and relentless dedication. He was part of Vidia’s founding team and has been instrumental in the successful build-out of PolymerCycle, the scaling of DEZ Group, and in shaping Vidia for growth. But beyond results, it is Philipp’s humility, integrity, and authentic team leadership that truly set him apart. He brings not just experience, but a sense of ownership and entrepreneurial drive that fuels the organization.
As we scale our platforms and deepen our role in Europe’s low-carbon transition, we do so with gratitude for the people and partners who make it possible. We see the current macro environment as rich in opportunity—especially for climate solution leaders. And with the continued support of our network, we are ready to meet the moment—together.
Johanna Struthmann
Founder
Vidia Blog
The EU’s Clean Industrial Deal: A Potential Game-Changer for the EU’s Climate Solution Industries
Building on the foundation of the European Green Deal (EGD), the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) sets bold targets: achieving climate neutrality by 2050, establishing global leadership in the circular economy by 2030, and scaling clean tech manufacturing across the continent. With €480 billion in annual investments on the table, the CID aims to accelerate renewable energy deployment, promote circular material use, and introduce new funding mechanisms to drive green innovation. However, the success of the initiative hinges on overcoming significant design and implementation challenges that could hinder its ability to effectively deliver on its promises for climate solution industries.
Compounding in Plastics Recycling: Enabling High-Performance Materials from Variable Feedstock
In our last newsletter, we highlighted how specialized niche players in the plastic recycling industry can thrive, even amid challenging market conditions. In this article, we take a closer look into compounding as a value-added technical process that tailors the properties of recycled materials to meet demanding customer specifications. These requirements often include mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elasticity, chemical attributes such as flame resistance or UV stability, and physical attributes like color, electrical conductivity, or thermal performance. Achieving these standards is already complex with virgin materials; doing so with recycled content adds another level of challenge due to the natural inconsistency in recycled feedstock.
A Conversation with...
Philipp Hoffmann, Partner at Vidia
What makes Vidia special for you?
From the very beginning, Vidia has been a place to grow — both personally and professionally. What truly makes it special is the combination of an exceptionally committed founding team, a mission-aligned investor base, and a unique team dynamic: young, driven, and backed by over 70 years of combined transaction experience. This blend of energy and expertise creates a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully.
New Joiner Alert
Melike Nurdogan
Investment Associate, Value Creation
Melike brings a strong background in business and social impact. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Cologne and a Master of Science in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Esade in Barcelona. Prior to joining us, she spent over four years at McKinsey as a Senior Consultant, including a 14-months social secondment as a Fellow at TechnoServe in Ghana and Kenya.
We are hiring
We are always looking for outstanding, purpose-driven talents to join the Vidia team. Get in touch to become an integral member of our investment, operations or impact team.
Director HR & Talent
Vidia Team and Portfolio Value Creation
(m/f/d) Full-time, Hybrid, Location: Munich
Investment Analyst / Associate
DACH
(m/f/d) Full-time, Hybrid, Location: Munich
Investment Analyst / Associate
Nordics
(m/f/d) Full-time, Hybrid, Location: Munich
Operations Manager / Director
(m/f/d) Full-time, Hybrid,
Location: Portfolio Sites / HQ
Portfolio Working Student
(m/f/d) Part-time, Hybrid,
Location: Munich / Portfolio HQ
Investment Criteria
We look for leading companies with a proven business model offering climate positive products or services.
Partnership with JNS Group
Wierig Group strengthens its presence in south-western Germany through a partnership with the JNS Gr
Newsletter Q1 2024
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