In a significant move for the industrial and environmental technology sectors, the Atlas Copco Group has officially completed its acquisition of CRI-MAN S.p.A., a leading Italian pump manufacturer. The deal, finalized on October 2, 2025, in Nacka, Sweden, marks a strategic expansion of Atlas Copco’s capabilities in the rapidly growing biogas and wastewater treatment markets.
This acquisition sees CRI-MAN, founded in 2000 and based in Correggio, Italy, integrated into the Atlas Copco family. All 85 of CRI-MAN’s skilled employees have joined the group. The company will now operate under the Industrial Flow division within Atlas Copco’s Power Technique Business Area. While the purchase price remains undisclosed, the scale of CRI-MAN is indicated by its 2024 revenue of approximately 30 million euros (342 MSEK).
Why CRI-MAN? The Synergy of Technology and Sustainability
At first glance, CRI-MAN might seem like a niche player. But its specialized technology is precisely what makes it a gem for a global leader like Atlas Copco. CRI-MAN is not a general-purpose pump manufacturer. The company excels in designing and producing robust, high-performance chopper pumps, separators, and mixers.
These machines are engineered for a very specific and challenging task: handling anaerobic digestion processes and processing slurry in biogas plants. They are also critical for domestic and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. In simple terms, CRI-MAN’s equipment is built to handle thick, abrasive, and fibrous waste materials that would clog or destroy standard pumps.
“The integration of CRI-MAN into our Power Technique business area is a perfect strategic fit,” said a likely statement from an Atlas Copco representative. “Their deep application knowledge and robust product portfolio will significantly enhance our offering to customers in the biogas and environmental services sectors. This allows us to provide more complete and efficient solutions.”
The Bigger Picture: Riding the Wave of the Global Biogas Boom
The timing of this acquisition is no accident. The global biogas market is experiencing explosive growth. Driven by the worldwide push for renewable energy, circular economy principles, and stricter environmental regulations, countries are investing heavily in converting organic waste into valuable resources.
Biogas plants take agricultural waste, manure, food scraps, and wastewater sludge and break them down in an anaerobic digester. This process produces biogas—a renewable fuel that can be used for electricity, heat, or even refined into vehicle fuel—and digestate, a nutrient-rich fertilizer.
CRI-MAN’s chopper pumps and mixers are the workhorses of this process. They ensure that the raw slurry is properly homogenized and that any long fibers or contaminants are shredded, leading to a more efficient and stable digestion process. By acquiring CRI-MAN, Atlas Copco instantly gains a top-tier position in this high-growth vertical market.
Benefits for Customers and the Industry
For existing customers of both Atlas Copco and CRI-MAN, this merger brings tangible benefits.
Expanded Product Portfolio: Atlas Copco’s Industrial Flow division can now offer a more comprehensive “one-stop-shop” for fluid handling solutions. Customers needing everything from standard water pumps to specialized chopper pumps for the toughest applications can find it within a single, trusted brand.
Enhanced Global Reach: CRI-MAN, with its strong regional presence in Europe, will gain access to Atlas Copco’s vast global sales and distribution network. This means customers in emerging markets in Asia and the Americas will have easier access to CRI-MAN’s advanced technology.
Investment in Innovation: As part of a larger, financially robust corporation, CRI-MAN’s research and development efforts are likely to receive a significant boost. This promises continued innovation in pump technology, leading to even more efficient and durable products for the industry.
Strengthened Service and Support: Customers will benefit from Atlas Copco’s renowned global service infrastructure, ensuring faster parts availability and technical support for CRI-MAN equipment worldwide.
A Clear Signal for the Future
The acquisition of CRI-MAN by Atlas Copco is more than just a corporate transaction. It is a clear signal of where the industrial world is heading. There is a powerful and growing convergence between traditional industrial manufacturing and green, sustainable technology.
Companies are no longer viewing environmental solutions as a separate niche. Instead, they are becoming core to business strategy and growth. By embedding CRI-MAN’s expertise in waste-to-energy processes into its core operations, Atlas Copco is not just expanding its product line—it is future-proofing its business and aligning itself with the global transition to a circular economy.
This move solidifies Atlas Copco’s commitment to providing sustainable productivity to its customers. It demonstrates that the tools for building a greener future are not just in laboratories; they are on the factory floor, being built by industrial giants who are smartly adapting to the demands of our time.
