Munters Pivots to Climate Core, Sets FoodTech Unit Free for Growth

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – June 16, 2026

Munters Group AB, a global leader in mission-critical climate control, announced today it will explore a potential divestment of its fast-growing FoodTech business area. The move represents a calculated strategic pivot designed to sharpen the company's focus on its core Data Center Technologies (DCT) and AirTech businesses, while simultaneously unlocking the full growth potential of the FoodTech division under new, dedicated ownership.

The FoodTech business, which operates commercially as Speria, has become an industry leader in its own right. However, with a distinct customer base, go-to-market model, and limited operational synergies with Munters' other divisions, the company has concluded that both entities would thrive with greater independence. Evercore has been retained as the financial advisor to navigate the potential sale.

"FoodTech has developed into a high-quality business with strong customer relationships, differentiated solutions and attractive long-term market fundamentals," said Klas Forsström, President and CEO of Munters. "We are proud of what the team has built and believe FoodTech is well positioned to pursue its next phase of growth under ownership dedicated to its strategic priorities."

A Strategic Sharpening of Focus

For Munters, the decision to divest is less about shedding a struggling asset and more about concentrating firepower. The company is doubling down on what it identifies as its primary value drivers: providing sophisticated, energy-efficient climate solutions for data centers and specialized industrial applications. With 2025 net sales of approximately SEK 15 billion, Munters is reallocating its strategic attention to the segments poised for the most significant expansion.

The timing aligns with powerful market tailwinds. The company's Data Center Technologies (DCT) division is riding a massive wave of demand fueled by digitalization, AI, and global data traffic growth. Munters’ financial reports paint a clear picture of this momentum; order intake for the group surged 85% in 2025, with DCT orders skyrocketing an incredible 416% in the fourth quarter alone. The first quarter of 2026 continued this trend with a group-wide organic order intake increase of 49%. This has built a record order backlog, providing strong visibility for sales growth into 2027.

By divesting FoodTech, which accounted for 12% of sales and 16% of adjusted EBITA in 2025, Munters can direct more capital, R&D, and management resources toward capturing this data center boom. The move also reinforces the strategic direction under incoming CEO Stefan Aspman, the current President of the DCT division. "A divestment will create a more focused Munters, enabling us to concentrate fully on the significant opportunities ahead in DCT and AirTech," Aspman stated. "With greater flexibility to allocate capital, management attention and resources to invest in our strategy, we will be well positioned to drive innovation, support our customers and deliver sustainable value for shareholders."

FoodTech’s Next Chapter: A Digital Powerhouse Unleashed

While Munters refines its core, the FoodTech business, or Speria, stands as an increasingly attractive asset in the burgeoning agri-food tech market. Its performance has been nothing short of explosive. Net sales tripled from MSEK 553 in 2022 to MSEK 1,753 in 2025, while its adjusted EBITA margin reached a healthy 17%. This is not the story of a neglected division, but a successful one that has outgrown its parent's primary strategic focus.

Critically, FoodTech has undergone a profound transformation from an equipment-led business to a "digital-first" provider. This evolution was accelerated by the 2025 divestment of its equipment manufacturing arm, a move that allowed the division to concentrate on its high-value platform of integrated controllers, sensors, software, and IoT solutions. Today, Speria provides operational intelligence that optimizes the entire food supply chain, enhancing efficiency and productivity for its customers.

This digital focus makes Speria a prime target in a sector hungry for innovation. Potential buyers are likely to include private equity firms specializing in technology or agriculture, which could provide the capital and specialized oversight to scale the business globally. Strategic buyers, such as large agricultural technology companies or industrial automation firms, may also see Speria as a way to instantly acquire a sophisticated digital platform and a strong foothold in the food production market. For Speria, new ownership dedicated solely to its mission could accelerate product development, expand its market reach, and further solidify its leadership in a specialized and rapidly growing field.

The Art of Divestment for Value Creation

Munters' strategic decision is a textbook example of a trend seen across the industrial landscape, where large, diversified companies are actively pruning their portfolios to unlock value. Rather than functioning as sprawling conglomerates, firms are increasingly choosing to be masters of a few core domains. This approach allows for deeper expertise, more efficient capital allocation, and a clearer narrative for investors.

By carving out a successful but non-core business, a parent company can often realize a higher valuation for the unit than it commands within the larger corporate structure. According to industry analysts, a specialized owner can better appreciate the nuances of the business and is often willing to pay a premium for a focused, high-growth asset. This process benefits all parties: Munters receives a capital infusion and sharpens its strategic focus, shareholders of the parent company see a more streamlined and potentially more profitable core business, and the divested entity gains an owner whose strategic priorities are perfectly aligned with its own.

Munters has already demonstrated its capability in this area with the successful sale of the FoodTech equipment business in early 2025. This latest move is a continuation of that disciplined portfolio management, reflecting a mature understanding that true value is created not just by acquiring and growing businesses, but by knowing when to let them go to achieve their full potential.

Navigating the Human and Customer Transition

During any major corporate restructuring, the primary concerns inevitably turn to the people and customers involved. Munters has been proactive in its messaging, stating that it will remain "fully committed to FoodTech and its customers, employees and operations" throughout the exploration process. The fact that FoodTech already operates as a largely stand-alone business, with its own brand and distinct market approach, should help mitigate disruption.

For FoodTech's employees, the announcement introduces a period of uncertainty, but it also presents a significant opportunity. A new owner, wholly invested in the agri-food tech space, could bring fresh investment and new avenues for career growth that might not have been possible within the broader Munters framework. For customers, the promise of a more focused and agile Speria, backed by a dedicated owner, suggests a future of accelerated innovation and enhanced service. The key to a successful transition will be clear communication and a commitment from all parties to ensure operational continuity, preserving the customer relationships that have been foundational to FoodTech's success.