Mott MacDonald has announced that is acquiring Brazilian environmental engineering consultancy Habtec Engenharia Ambiental as part of its strategy to create a regional base in Brazil from where it can expand across South America.

Habtec has been operating principally in the energy, mining and transport sectors for over 20 years. Employing about 80 people, the company's project portfolio includes various environmental impact studies, compliance support, monitoring projects and environmental education programs for Petrobras, BG Brasil, Shell, Vale, Furnas, Repsol Sinopec, OGX and others.

Mott MacDonald's association with Brazil goes back 40 years. Its portfolio includes Rodoanel highway Sao Paulo Concession, Pernambuco power project, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro metros, the Rio-Niteroi bridge and the Campinas to Mogi Mirim highway. Most recently, Mott MacDonald has worked on energy, transport, health, education and environment projects in Brazil.

Mott MacDonald's chairman, Keith Howells, commented that Habtec has an excellent reputation and shares the same values and has a similar culture to Mott MacDonald.

Guaraci Sathler, executive director of Habtec Engenharia Ambiental, commented that this acquisition will enable them to enhance their service offering and to grow in to new sectors.

Source: Mott Macdonald