Mar 10, 2013

Email a Friend Friend's email: * Send Bridges Ventures has sold its interest in Whelan Refining and netted itself a 4.7x return on a seven-year investment. Recycling efforts: Whelan Refining takes waste oil and refines it for lubricant use Date: 07 March 2013 Article: News Having first backed waste oil refining business Whelan Refining in May 2006, fund manager Bridges Ventures has exited its involvement in the company through a deal with the company's management team. Bridges first became involved with Whelan when it led a £1.5 million transaction , providing £450,000 itself, alongside Catapult Venture Managers and other debt providers. The deal was completed so that Whelan could refurbish and re-commission an old oil refinery in Stoke-on-Trent. Following the investment, Whelan turned it into what it claims is the first and only waste oil refining plant in the UK, recycling waste oil to produce base oil to be sold back to the lubricant industry. By selling its stake to the management team of Whelan, Bridges has scored a 33 per cent internal rate of return and 4.7x the total investment it made from its Sustainable Growth fund I. The firm's Sustainable Growth Funds I, II and III back businesses across the areas of underserved areas, education and skills, environment, and health and well-being – sectors which the firm has identified as those creating a positive social and environmental impact. Since 2002, the three funds have made commitments of £77 million in 35 businesses. More on Bridges Ventures' Sustainable Growth Funds: