A sweet-smelling deal is in the offing for ASX-listed waste...

A sweet-smelling deal is in the offing for ASX-listed waste water technology company, Emefcy.

Street Talk can reveal the $207 million waste water technology company is poised to sign a binding merger agreement with RWL Water, a company owned by billionaire Ronald S. Lauder, an heir to the Estée Lauder skincare, make-up and perfume fortune.

A formal announcement is expected as early as Thursday for the high-powered RWL, which also boasts a director of the Walt Disney Company on its board, in Fred Langhammer.

Waste water is a long way from the cosmetics world for Mr Lauder. While he declined to comment on a looming deal  when contacted by Street Talk, he said providing access to those who may not have clean water had become "a passion".


As part of the transaction, it is understood Mr Lauder has committed to invest an additional $US20 million into the merged entity to be named Fluence.


After the transaction is completed and the extra funds injected, Mr Lauder will own approximately 34 per cent of the company and will be the largest shareholder in Fluence.

Mr Lauder told Street Talk he's buoyed by the combination of a global leading technology owned by Emefcy being combined with a global water delivery platform with significant existing revenues. Emefcy has a huge focus on the market in China where the opportunities for treated water are vast.

RWL was self-advised, while UBS was in Emefcy's corner.

Mr Lauder's new Australian investment is likely to result in him jetting into the country on his private jet fairly soon.


Emefcy looked closely at joining forces in its early days with venture capitalists from Silicon Valley in California, but eventually decided on an ASX listing, in part because it was in the same region as the big Chinese market.

Read more: http://www.copyright link/street-ta...auder-offspring-20170523-gwbou2#ixzz4iI1MW7EP