Architects of Ardian: Accelerating the green and technological transition

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Architects of Ardian: Accelerating the green and technological transition

  • 24 June 2024

  • Private Equity

Reading time: 3 minutes

    In this series, we tell the stories behind how Ardian creates lasting change within the sectors in which it operates. This article focuses on the innovative Ardian Semiconductor investment platform and our Nature-Based Solutions Fund - a strategy dedicated to large-scale nature-based projects.
    Ardian looks to create new values through these platforms, accelerating the green transition.

    We need to keep pace with important trends. I am a big believer that industrial skills are becoming much more important in private equity alongside financial skills. In our new activities – hydrogen, semiconductors, nature-based Solutions – we have a combination of senior industry people and financial experts in the leadership teams.

    Dominique Senequier, CEO and Founder of Ardian

    "This is no longer a generalist business, and we need much more than financial skills. We need experts in AI, in digital transformation, in sustainability and climate risk," Dominique adds.

    The semiconductor opportunity

    The semiconductor opportunity 

    Dubbed ‘the gold of the 21st century’, the impact of the semiconductor investment opportunity is both vast and far-reaching. Semiconductors are at the heart of computing technology. Transistors, made from semiconductors, serve as the fundamental building blocks of microprocessors. These microprocessors power everything from desktop computers to supercomputers and are essential for processing information in digital form. Beyond this, they are vital in driving digitalization and the green transition.

    They power renewable energy systems, improving energy efficiency, and enabling the electrification of transportation. They also support energy storage, efficient lighting, and environmental monitoring, which are key in mitigating climate change and fostering sustainability. Our strategy aims to enable mid-size companies to evolve into global leaders within the European semiconductor industry.
     

    Semiconductors are everywhere and enable the world’s digital transformation and green transition.

    Thibault Basquin, Member of the Executive Committee

    "As demand for semiconductors is expected to more than double over the next decade, a whole supply chain needs to scale and bring continued innovation, including countless European mid-sized companies," Thibault adds.

    We're assembling a unique team with tremendous experience and track-record, and I can't enjoy more than welcoming Paul, Christophe, Helmut and Thomas.

    Thibault Basquin, Member of the Executive Committee

    Investing in nature

    Investing in nature

    These efforts complement our Nature-Based Solutions Fund. In partnership with aDryada, the Infrastructure team’s goal is to finance projects that restore forests, wetlands and mangroves, leading to the sequestration of large quantities of carbon from the atmosphere through natural carbon sinks.

    Ardian continues its pioneering commitment to the energy transition with Nature-Based Solutions, which benefits from the experience of Ardian's infrastructure team in investing in climate action and the energy transition, and that of aDryada in developing projects related to biodiversity and the energy transition.

    Laurent Fayollas, Deputy Head Infrastructure, Ardian

    There is now a consensus that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will not be enough to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, and that carbon removal is of paramount importance with 5 to 10 gtCo2 per year to be removed by 2050.  The initiatives aim to sequester approximately 150 million tons of carbon, producing verified high-quality carbon credits through third-party assessment. The strategy tackles three key challenges: carbon sequestration via nature-based solutions, biodiversity enhancement, and fostering socio-economic benefits for local communities. This is our commitment to being Architects of Lasting Change.