Sojitz Acquires Energy Efficient HVAC Provider and Mechanical Service Contractor in Australia －Strengthening the Energy Solutions Business as a Leader in the Industry－

Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) has signed a share purchase agreement for acquisition of a 70% stake in New South Wales-based Climatech Group Holdings Pty Ltd. (“Climatech”) in Australia via energy efficiency business Ellis Air Group Pty Ltd. (“Ellis Air”), which is a consolidated subsidiary of Sojitz. Total sales for Climatech and Ellis Air amount to JPY 45 billion (AUD 450 million). Sojitz Group will become a leading HVAC*¹ contractor in Australia*².

In Australia, there is rising demand for residential construction and other facilities spurred by population growth. Infrastructure-related construction is also anticipated in preparation for the Brisbane Summer Olympics/Paralympics 2032. The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) mandates high building standards for environmental performance, and demand continues to grow for energy-efficient design and HVAC equipment that increases asset value for buildings in the country. Australia’s HVAC market is projected to realize an annual growth of 6% to reach a scale of JPY 7.4 trillion (AUD 74 billion) in 2033.*²

In May 2023, Sojitz acquired Ellis Air, which operates in both the states of Victoria and Queensland. In 2021, Sojitz first entered the energy efficiency business in the U.S. Climatech offers HVAC design, construction, and maintenance services for large-scale commercial buildings, hospitals, and other social infrastructure projects such as data centers in the economic epicenter of New South Wales, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory, neighboring Queensland, and New Zealand. Climatech has been engaged in the data center business from the market’s infancy, completing 21 projects over the past 15 years, and data center-related HVAC demand is expected to demonstrate significant growth in the years ahead.

As Climatech serves different regions and focus sectors, this new partnership with Sojitz, Ellis Air and Climatech will create synergy that leverages the long-cultivated technologies and customer networks of both companies in order to strengthen Sojitz’s capabilities to provide energy solutions that meet diverse customer needs, reduce CO₂ emissions, and contribute to the realization of a net-zero society.

*1: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
*2: Sojitz study