Sustainability

Alder invests in companies that are driving solutions to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource constraints. Through our sustainable investments and active ownership, we support technology leaders that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote efficient resource management to  have a positive climate impact.

Our goal is to develop businesses that generate positive impact for a greener, more sustainable future. 

Anchor: impact

POSITIVE IMPACT

We invest in companies that have solutions which directly and indirectly contribute to emission reduction and circular business models. To increase the positive impact, we accelerate the advancement and growth of these solutions by improving, developing, and scaling up. 

Early on in our evaluation process, we assess  the contribution to emission reduction and circular business models,  using the EU Taxonomy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is our way of ensuring that every investment is in line with our commitment to a sustainable future. 

To measure our positive impact (increased handprint), we have developed an approach where we measure at both fund and company level. 

Fund level
Measures green investments (percentage of investment that is EU Taxonomy eligible) and growth of green turnover (EU Taxonomy Aligned Economic activities) 

Company level
Measures increased green turnover EU Taxonomy Aligned Economic activities) and both company-specific environmental (CO2e reduction, avoided emissions, recycled material) and social (diversity, health, employee satisfaction) metrics. 

Of course, we also measure how companies work and succeed in minimising their negative environmental impact (footprint), contributing to the collective effort in the Race to Zero.

Anchor: working

OUR APPROACH

We incorporate sustainability into everything we do: investment, engagement, development, and strategy.

In investments this is through our initial selection, impact analysis and ESG Due Diligence where we evaluate both opportunities and risks. Our portfolio companies must demonstrate a clear positive environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, other hazardous substances in the environment or contributing to a circular economy.

The companies we invest in must comply with our sustainability ambitions and requirements. Companies are introduced to our handbook The Alder Way, which is our internal tool to guide our portfolio companies both practically and strategically. They should increase their positive environmental impact and create business value, while reducing the negative environmental impact of their operations.

As an active owner, Alder actively engages with its portfolio companies, focusing on direct and strategic sustainability issues. We provide support to enhance their sustainability efforts, ensuring they can effectively address and make progress on their initiatives, We are involved at different levels, including board participation and providing support to the CEO through appointing sustainability ambassadors to specific projects.

Alder has been a member of PRI, the UN body for responsible investment, since 2012.

Download the PRI transparency report 2023 here.

We align our activities and reporting with a range of mandatory and voluntary frameworks.

We live as we learn

We set high standards for our portfolio companies but also for ourselves. Our approach to clients, employees, investors, and the communities in which we operate is characterised by commitment, honesty, transparency, and a clear ethical compass.

During our ownership, we develop our portfolio companies into something truly future-proof and sustainable.

Eva Normell, Sustainability Officer

Anchor: sfdr

SFDR at Alder

SFDR - Increased transparency on sustainability

The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is the EU's first regulation aimed at redirecting the flow of capital towards sustainable finance. The SFDR was introduced to increase the transparency of sustainability in the financial market and prevent greenwashing.  

The SFDR requires the asset manager to be transparent about the level of sustainability of each fund, classifying them into one of three distinct categories, each with its own sustainability expectations and requirements: "not at all green" (Article 6), "light green" (Article 8) promoting "environmental or social characteristics" and "dark green" (Article 9), with sustainable investments as the main objective.

Under the EU regulation, a sustainable investment is an investment that increases environmental or social progress - as long as the company is managed responsibly and does not harm its environment.

It requires financial companies to be transparent about how they integrate sustainability into their strategies and objectives, manage sustainability risks and evaluate the impact of their activities.

At Alder, sustainability is the very foundation on which we built our business. We have high ambitions, and all our funds are aligned with Article 9.

Our belief is that companies that are well positioned with sustainable and resilient offerings will generate long-term value creation by incorporating sustainable principles. We invest in companies that prioritise sustainability and strive to make our world a better place for future generations.

Documents for download:

SFDR Website disclosure, Article 10

Alder-principle-adverse-impact-statement

Responsible investment 2023

Below we present our funds


Fund: Alder III

Vintage year: 2023

Investment criteria:
To acquire and develop companies that will benefit from the green transition and contribute to long-term health and environmental sustainability, focussing on investments with high growth potential.

Market:
Mainly in the Nordics with a focus on smaller medium-sized companies. 

Investment objective:
To own and develop companies that contribute to the sustainable development of our environment. We invest in companies that deliver a positive environmental impact through their business model, such as reduced consumption of energy and resources, reduced emissions to air and water and reduced waste, thereby contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.


Fund: Alder II

Vintage year: 2018

Fund size: 1527,8 MSEK

Investment criteria:
To acquire and develop companies that will benefit from the green transition and contribute to long-term health and environmental sustainability, focussing on investments with high growth potential.

Market:
Mainly in the Nordics

Investment objective:
To own and develop companies that contribute to the sustainable development of our environment. We invest in companies that through their business model deliver an environmental benefit, such as reduced consumption of energy and resources, reduced emissions to air and water and reduced waste, which contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.


Fund: Alder I

Vintage year: 2010

Fund size: 1 116,8 MSEK

Investment criteria:
The fund invests in cleantech companies, creating Expansion/Development/Buyouts.

Market:
Mainly in the Nordics

Investment objective:
To own and develop companies that contribute to the sustainable development of our environment. We invest in companies that through their business model deliver an environmental benefit, such as reduced consumption of energy and resources, reduced emissions to air and water and reduced waste, which contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Alder is looking for companies that are ready to take the next step.

We are always on the lookout for companies with the drive and desire to develop. Our investments focus on established companies with profitable growth and a turnover of between SEK 100 and 750 million, as well as additional acquisitions, which may be smaller.