• DWS’s China Clean Energy and Environment Fund’s latest investment showcases firm’s expertise in identifying opportunities to mitigate climate change
• Transaction highlights DWS’s commitment to developing climate investment opportunities and achieving net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 in line with global efforts to limit warming by 1.5°C
• This marks CEEF’s third investment after Soutech Technology Development Group in 2020 and CaSO in 2019

DWS today announced the close of its third investment commitment by the Clean Energy and Environment Fund (CEEF) in ESSE, a leading cleantech firm based in China specializing in greenhouse gas emission reduction and industrial solid waste recycling.

Established in 2013, ESSE has quickly grown into one of China’s leading companies specializing in greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. ESSE uses advanced technology to safely treat industrial emissions by extracting toxicity - including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide - creating an additional by-product that can be used in new catalyst, desulfurization, denitrification and construction materials.

ESSE operates across China’s major coastal and mainland provinces and CEEF’s investment will provide further scale and strategic direction to its expansion. CEEF’s funding will enable ESSE to further build its team, expand its scale, and promote its new materials business whilst growing the development of proprietary technology.

Priscilla Lu, Head of Sustainable Investments, Asia Pacific at DWS said:

“ESSE‘s cutting edge technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions squarely addresses climate change and this is why we are excited to be investing in them. This investment also aligns to China’s net-zero pledge at the recent climate summit.”

Andrew Pidden, Head of Sustainable Investments at DWS said:

“The investment in ESSE fits well with our strategy of backing companies leading green infrastructure projects in pollution reduction, reduction of carbon emission intensity, waste treatment and cleaner production. ESSE’s ability to tangibly reduce greenhouse gas emissions is increasingly important as we transition towards a sustainable low-carbon economy.”

Changhui Tong, Chairman of The Board of ESSE, said:

"This investment from CEEF will allow ESSE to increase the conversion of industrial solid waste into new materials, and increase investments in technology and production systems for the application of these new materials, whilst reducing environmental pollution. We will additionally focus on building our expertise in the operation and maintenance of environmental management facilities and strengthen our ongoing investment in greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies that support the realization of global carbon neutrality goals."

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 820bn of assets under management (as of 31 March 2021). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.

About ESSE

ESSE is a high-tech enterprise focused on environmental governance. Founded in 2013, it has now grown to more than 900 employees, with more than 100 assuming the post of lab researcher roles. ESSE specializes in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Intelligent Operation and Maintenance (O&M) for these flue gas treatment projects, and the production of new materials with industrial solid waste.

ESSE is dedicated to the development of new technologies and materials to support the circular economy, and uses big data to intelligently support environmental governance improvement, quality of life improvement and modern environmental governance with sustainable innovation. Through continuous innovation in environmental governance technology, ESSE will realize the dream of "making a bluer sky, greener land and cleaner water". Through continuous independent research and development ESSE strives to realize its goal for enhanced ecological and environmental protection.

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