Pure-play sustainability advisory firm ERM announced today the acquisition of OPEX Group, a provider of AI and data science-based software solutions aimed at helping carbon intensive industries reduce emissions.

Founded in 2015, OPEX provides digital technology based solutions and services, helping customers realise value and benefits from their existing operational data, and helping them to minimize environmental impact and achieve more reliable and sustainable operations.

Jamie Bennett, CEO of OPEX, said:

“We have a six year track record of applying AI solutions to complex assets, and becoming part of ERM will help us to further extend our reach and capabilities. We will benefit from ERM’s global scale, network and expertise in sustainability, and look forward to working together to help customers address the biggest challenges they are facing today, and in particular the challenge of decarbonising operations.”  

According to ERM, the acquisition will enhance the firm’s growing digital business, and expand its data analytics and AI capabilities. OPEX’s UK-based team includes 40 data scientists, AI engineers, software developers and operations focused engineers.

The transaction marks a continuation of ERM’s active expansion of its skillset and capabilities in the sustainability and energy transition consulting space, with a series of recent acquisitions including specialist energy consultancy and low-carbon technology solutions firm Element Energy, renewable energy consultancy Arcus, Dutch sustainability consulting firm Sustainalize, energy, sustainability strategy consultancy E4tech, renewable energy advisory firm Renewables Consulting Group (RCG), and Canadian sustainability and ESG advisory firm Stratos.

David McArthur, interim ERM Group CEO, said:

“ERM is at the forefront of using digital technologies to help organizations reduce emissions and operationalise sustainability. As stakeholder expectations, regulation and emerging global carbon markets continue to evolve, we can expect strong competitive forces to align around them, requiring new capabilities. The addition of OPEX to the ERM Group enables us to scale AI-enabled emissions reduction solutions to our global client base, continuing to deliver our ‘boots to boardroom’ value proposition.”