I Squared Capital (“I Squared”), a leading independent global infrastructure investor, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Liberty Tire Recycling (“Liberty” or the “Company”) from Energy Capital Partners (“ECP”), a leading investment firm in the energy transition infrastructure sector. Liberty Tire Recycling is North America’s premier end-of-life tire recycling platform, providing comprehensive tire collection, processing and recycling solutions. The transaction adds Liberty to I Squared’s growing global portfolio of environmental infrastructure platforms and reinforces the firm’s commitment to building sustainable businesses that deliver both economic and environmental value.
With a decades-long reputation in the sustainable and environmental infrastructure sector, ECP has owned Liberty since April 2021 and along with Liberty’s management team drove the transformation of the Company into a national, vertically integrated tire management business. Liberty is the leading coast-to-coast tire recycling platform in North America, providing critical, compliant collection and recycling services through a network of more than 50 facilities nationwide. Each year, the Company collects and processes over 215 million end-of-life tires, converting them into reusable materials that support industrial, commercial, and consumer markets. Liberty’s innovative, sustainable tire-derived products play a vital role in advancing circular economy solutions.
Under I Squared’s ownership, Liberty will continue to lead in sustainable tire recycling solutions while advancing operational excellence for its 50,000+ customers and more than 3,500 employees. I Squared plans to work with Liberty to invest in automation and technology to enhance efficiency and environmental performance and pursue strategic acquisitions that expand the company’s footprint and product offerings in support of the circular economy. Liberty CEO Thomas Womble, on behalf of the Company and its employees, said, “Liberty has been successful because of our people and their focus on our core values. These core values include striving to keep employees safe, providing world class customer service, partnering with manufacturers and retailers to help them achieve sustainability goals, and continuing to develop and grow new markets in the end-of-life tire space. ECP has been a great partner to Liberty, and we are now looking forward to continuing the journey in partnership with I Squared.”
“I Squared's investment in Liberty Tire Recycling reflects our continued focus on building resilient, sustainable infrastructure platforms that drive both economic and environmental impact,” said Gautam Bhandari, Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at I Squared Capital. “We are excited to partner with the Liberty team and support the Company's continued growth and innovation within the recycling industry.”
Drew Brown, Partner at ECP, said, “We are proud to have worked alongside the Liberty team as we strengthened its leading position in the recycling industry and achieved tremendous growth through strategic initiatives and investments. Liberty plays a critical role in the circular economy for tires and we are confident the business will deliver further growth and value creation in collaboration with I Squared.”
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
BMO Capital Markets and Jefferies served as financial advisors to Liberty and Latham & Watkins served as its legal advisor. Houlihan Lokey acted as financial advisor to I Squared and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as its legal advisor.