Vibra completes full acquisition of Comerc in strategic energy move

Vibra, Brazil’s leading distributor of fuels and lubricants, announced the acquisition of the remaining 50% of Comerc’s shares, making the energy platform a wholly-owned subsidiary. The deal, valued at BRL3.525 billion (USD638 million), was initially slated for completion between 2026 and 2028 but was expedited due to strong financial returns.

Vibra’s decision to fast-track the acquisition is driven by significant synergies and the robust performance of Comerc, which has generated an annual EBITDA of BRL1 billion (USD181 million) in 2024. This move aligns with Vibra’s strategy to strengthen its position in the energy transition, leveraging Comerc’s growing portfolio of solar and wind projects.

Comerc has been a key player in Brazil’s energy market, managing 4.5 thousand consumer units and overseeing 6% of the country’s energy consumption. With nine solar parks and stakes in three wind farms, Comerc is set to contribute BRL1.3 billion (USD) to Vibra’s EBITDA by 2025.

EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation. It is a financial metric used to assess a company’s operating performance by excluding non-operating expenses like interest and taxes, as well as non-cash charges like depreciation and amortisation. Essentially, EBITDA provides a clearer picture of a company’s core profitability from its operations.

Key executives will remain in place to ensure a smooth transition, with Christopher Vlavianos, Comerc’s founder, continuing until 2028. Vibra plans to integrate its capital allocation strategies into Comerc, enhancing the company’s offerings in the energy sector.

The acquisition is pending customary approvals and is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2025.