http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1aa23b40-bc2e-11e0-80e0-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1UByejzkc

It looks like KKR has made significant inroads in the water treatment and by association the wastewater markets in China.

Water and waste are the new gold. Bottom line, clean water is big business.

Given the nature of the industry, it made sense for KKR to do the deal through convertible bonds. KKR gets all the safety of cash flow from the coupons while being able to get the upside of growth by converting to common stock.

Smart.

Given all of the attention KKR is giving the Green sector, the attention ought be giving some PE firms ideas about clean water here and abroad. The mere fact that a telecom/technology/media professional, like myself, is even paying attention to this is amazing.

With all of the various environmental efforts like Green energy and recycling reduction, water and waste have been largely ignored. It goes without saying clean water is a global problem. The problem with “global” statements like that is they are not specific. I will be specific; clean water is not only a problem in China but also in the United States. The problem is huge in China and it is a growing problem in the United States.

I may not be an environmental engineer but I have been reviewing “green” businesses, in particular water and wastewater related businesses for the last 12 years.  All of the technologies that are being promoted by companies have been around in various states of development for years. Commercializing those technologies, like low power desalinization technology, is the challenge.

China is one big investment opportunity especially in the area of basic infrastructure.

KKR’s actions are right on target.  Hopefully KKR's actions begin to light a fire under investors and money begins to flow more heavily into Green startups.   I say that because I believe Green startups and projects are the new GOLD or maybe hidden treasures.  When I first started reviewing Green businesses in the composting and biodegradable sectors I began viewing the sectors as hidden treasures.  For one company I had been involved with my catch phrase was "your garbage is our treasure"; not exactly Shakespeare but it spoke volumes about the company.