Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Palladio Partners on investment in hylane

Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Palladio Partners, an investment boutique focusing on private markets, on an investment in hylane, one of Europe’s leading providers of zero-emission truck leasing solutions.

After obtaining the required regulatory clearances, Palladio will make a substantial equity investment in hylane as part of a capital increase and take over the majority of voting rights in key areas. The current owner of hylane is insurance group DEVK, which has held 100 percent of hylane’s shares since incorporation in 2021 and will continue to invest in hylane as a joint venture partner with Palladio Partners.

Palladio Partners intends to support hylane’s growth. With total investments in the hundreds of millions, the fleet of zero-emission trucks will be expanded over the next few years.

Hylane, founded in 2021 and based in Cologne, Germany, offers battery and hydrogen powered vehicles from various manufacturers in a pay-per-use rental model. Its customers include leading fleet operators in the logistics, retail and industrial sectors, including DHL, DB Schenker, DSV, Hermes and REWE.

Palladio Partners is an owner-managed investment boutique with a focus on infrastructure investments, private equity and private debt. Founded in 2012, Palladio now has approximately 100 employees and manages funds of approximately €10 billion.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised Palladio Partners with the following team:

Corporate/M&A: Dr Christoph Nawroth (Partner, Lead), Dr Sebastian Schürer (Counsel); Associates: Phillip Kablitz, Stefanie Strahl, Dr Bastian Held (all Düsseldorf)
Competition: Dr Marcel Nuys (Partner); Associates: Mirko Gleitsmann, Dr Lennard Posser (all Düsseldorf)
Employment: Moritz Kunz (Partner), Dr Anja Lingscheid (Counsel), Julia Ickstadt (Associate, all Frankfurt)
Tax: Dr Steffen Hörner (Partner); Associates: Tatiana Günster, Dirk Metzler (all Frankfurt)
Regulatory: Dr Marius Boewe (Partner); Associates: David Rasche, Dr Dejan Einfeldt (all Düsseldorf)
IP: Dr Ina vom Feld (Partner); Associate: Maximilian Martini (both Düsseldorf)