이 기사는 2021년 12월 09일 08:05 thebell 에 표출된 기사입니다.

Stonebridge Capital is set to boost environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) investments, starting with its latest investment in South Korea's biodiesel maker Dansuk Industrial.

The Seoul-based private equity firm has signed an agreement to buy a stake in the biodiesel maker for about 80 billion won ($67 million), industry sources said on Tuesday. The investment is meaningful in that the PE firm has acquired an ESG portfolio.

Biodiesel is classified as eco-friendly energy as it is created mostly from oil waste and food waste. It has been in the limelight as more companies step up efforts to promote sustainable corporate practices. Domestic refiners are trying to discover eco-friendly growth engines such as biodiesel as they suffer poor profitability due to the government's goal of achieving net-zero in carbon emissions.

Dansuk collects used cooking oil here and manufactures and exports as biodiesel. Used cooking oil is classed as a waste product within the European Union. Fuel producers there are given double carbon credits for using it in their fuels. Domestic carbon credit-related policies may also follow suit in the future.

Biodiesel using waste cooking oil may be sold at a higher price in the overseas markets because of government incentives to use it.

Stonebridge created the Stonebridge Eco Private Equity Fund I for the investment in Dansuk, which shows its commitment to continuing to build its ESG portfolio.

The PE firm has believed Dansuk perfectly meets environmental factor among ESG standards as its manufacturing facilities and processes fit the eco-friendly trend. The two firms are expected to make joint investments in the future mostly based on ESG standards.

Stonebridge has started a process to enhance its ESG-related activities. Its next blind-pool fund is likely to focus on ESG investments. (Reporting by Ha-na Suh)