What Sotkon does

Sotkon is a Portuguese-headquartered manufacturer of underground and semi-underground container systems for municipal solid waste, operating under the legal entity ASFC-SGPS, S.A. (wholly owned by conglomerate NORS, S.A.) with group subsidiaries in Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco, and Turkey, plus an authorized distributor network covering roughly 18 additional countries. Founded in 1995 by Modesto Balerdi in Spain as MBE Sotkon, the company relocated its HQ to Porto in 2008 upon joining the NORS Group and operates a manufacturing facility in Entroncamento, Portugal. Its core product family includes the patented KONCEPT underground system alongside EVOS, INTEGRA, APTO, QUBUS, and QUBUS E variants, with capacities up to 5m³ and EN13071-certified safety platforms. Around 40,000 units have been deployed across 23 countries, anchored by large reference accounts such as Narbonne (924 cumulative units) and contract wins including a €1M+ tender in Tbilisi.

The company's technology stack pairs the hardware with the proprietary SOTKIS intelligent management platform, which integrates ultrasonic fill-level sensors (SOTKIS LEVEL), RFID-based access control (SOTKIS ACCESS), Pay-As-You-Throw modules (SOTKIS PAYT), and an acoustic-plus-AI Digital Return System (SOTKIS DRS) for identifying individual packaging. The 2026 roadmap adds SOTKIS PLAYT, a unified PAYT/RAYT/SAYT ecosystem. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of underground systems, intake columns (Ikon, Ikonic, Retro, Wido, Max, Diamond, Orion), surface systems (O+, OILY), intelligent-systems modules, and subscription-style Sotcare maintenance services, sold either directly via group companies or through authorized distributors. The customer base is exclusively municipal and local-government, with sales cycles supported by participation in industry trade shows (IFAT, Pollutec, ENLU, Salon des Maires) and EU-funded procurement programs tied to the bloc's 2030 recycling and 2035 landfill targets.

Name

Sotkon

Legal name

ASFC-SGPS, S.A.

Website

https://sotkon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sotkon designs, manufactures, and installs underground and semi-underground waste containerization systems plus the SOTKIS intelligent management platform, selling primarily to municipal governments across 23 countries via five wholly-owned subsidiaries and authorized distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Underground Waste Systems: Sale of underground and semi-underground waste containerization equipment including KONCEPT, EVOS, INTEGRA, APTO, QUBUS, and QUBUS E systems. These include concrete bunkers, polyethylene or steel containers, pedestrian platforms, and intake columns. Revenue is generated through direct sales to municipalities and through distributor networks.
2. Intelligent Systems & Sensors: Sale and installation of SOTKIS intelligent management modules including ACCESS (RFID access control), LEVEL (fill level sensors), PAYT systems, and DRS (Digital Return System). These are add-on technologies that integrate with the underground containers to enable smart waste management.
3. Sotcare Maintenance Services: Preventive and corrective maintenance programs for Sotkon equipment including cleaning, conservation, and technical assistance. Services include washing/degreasing, lubrication, rust treatment, polishing, and component replacement. Offered as subscription plans adapted to each client's needs.
4. Intake Columns & Accessories: Sale of intake columns (Ikon, Ikonic, Retro, Wido, Max, Diamond, Orion) and optional components such as safety platforms, commercial doors, pedals, and decorative finishes. Customization options for urban integration.
5. Surface Systems: Sale of surface-level waste collection equipment including O+ (organic waste/cooking oil collection) and OILY (used cooking oil) intake columns designed for locations without underground systems.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sotkon designs, manufactures, assembles, and installs underground and semi-underground waste containerization systems for municipalities, with patented KONCEPT, EVOS, INTEGRA, APTO, QUBUS, and QUBUS E product lines offering capacities up to 5m³. The hardware is complemented by the SOTKIS intelligent management platform (fill-level sensors, RFID access control, PAYT, DRS) and the Sotcare maintenance service for installed equipment.

Product overview

Sotkon offers a comprehensive portfolio of waste management solutions centered on underground and semi-underground container systems. The core product line includes KONCEPT (the patented star product), EVOS, INTEGRA, APTO, QUBUS, and QUBUS E systems - ranging from underground to semi-underground configurations with capacities up to 5m3. Surface solutions include OILY for cooking oil and O+ for organic waste collection. The intelligent management is delivered through the SOTKIS platform ecosystem comprising LEVEL (fill-level sensors), ACCESS (access control), PAYT (pay-as-you-throw), and DRS (digital return system) modules. Supporting services include Sotcare maintenance programs. The product portfolio is complemented by a range of stainless steel intake columns (Ikon, Ikonic, Retro, Wido, Max, Diamond, Orion) designed as urban furniture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SOTKIS: Intelligent management systems platform providing information about waste deposition and collection processes, including fill level monitoring, access controls, and PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw) systems.
• Sotcare
• Koncept

Products and services

• KONCEPT Underground Waste System Patented star-product underground waste storage system with high-capacity polyethylene containers (450L to 5m³), watertight concrete bunker, pedestrian platform, and intake column. Compatible with existing rear and top-loading collection vehicles, low maintenance, easy operation. Target users are municipalities and local authorities.
• EVOS Underground Waste System High-capacity compact underground waste system where the pedestrian platform and container move together during collection. Uses lightweight plastic containers (3m³ or 5m³) for top loading systems with reduced maintenance costs; single-worker operation. Designed for municipalities.
• INTEGRA Underground Waste System Underground waste solution for side loading collection, fully automated with Wi-Fi control. Includes watertight concrete bunker and polyethylene container with side lifting arms. Targets municipalities using side-loading collection vehicles.
• APTO Underground Waste System Underground metal container system for top loading collection vehicles with exceptional mechanical strength. Pedestrian platform and container joined together with strong fixation system. Designed for municipalities requiring durable metallic underground waste storage.
• QUBUS Semi-Underground Waste System Semi-underground waste system applying KONCEPT principles with partial above-ground placement. Designed for areas with underground infrastructure obstacles or harsh winters with frequent snow. Targeted at municipalities with subsurface installation constraints.
• QUBUS E Semi-Underground Waste System Semi-underground compact solution adapting the EVOS system with partially underground installation of high-capacity containers (3m³ or 5m³). For municipalities needing EVOS-style functionality in areas with underground infrastructure obstacles.
• O+ Surface System (Organic Waste / Used Cooking Oil) Surface system for organic waste or used cooking oil collection, accommodating 120L to 660L wheeled containers with adjustable feet for different urban areas. Used by municipalities where underground installation is not feasible.
• OILY Surface System (Used Cooking Oil) Surface intake column for used cooking oil collection with 110L internal container and 180mm entry diameter. Complements underground waste systems in locations without underground infrastructure.
• SOTKIS Intelligent Management Platform Integrated digital management system providing information on waste deposition and collection processes across Sotkon equipment. Enables remote monitoring, route optimization, PAYT, and access control. Includes mobile apps on Google Play and Apple App Store. For municipalities and waste collection operators.
• SOTKIS LEVEL (Fill-Level Sensor Module) Ultrasonic fill-level sensor module installed inside containers to monitor waste levels. Data is transmitted via GSM/GPRS to a web portal to optimize collection routes and reduce unnecessary collections. Standalone product for municipalities.
• SOTKIS ACCESS (RFID Access Control Module) Access control module using RFID cards or smart keys to identify users and track waste disposal. Captures user ID, waste type, frequency of deposits, and enables PAYT implementation with user-level invoicing. For municipalities.
• SOTKIS PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw Module) Pay-As-You-Throw module enabling fair waste taxation based on deposit frequency and volume, using 30-35L volumetric limiters and access controls. Data transmitted via GSM/GPRS. For municipalities implementing user-based waste charges.
• SOTKIS DRS (Digital Return System) Digital Return System using acoustic technology combined with AI algorithms to identify individual packaging (glass, plastic, metal) and reward users for correct disposal. Bluetooth connectivity to mobile devices for user incentives. For municipalities seeking to boost recycling rates.
• SOTKIS PLAYT (Pay Less As You Throw) Ecosystem combining software and hardware to monitor every stage of waste disposal and collection, incorporating PAYT, RAYT, and SAYT principles. Incentivizes waste separation and enables management entities to collect and analyze data with AI algorithms. For municipalities and waste management authorities.
• Sotcare Maintenance Service Maintenance, cleaning, conservation, and technical assistance service for Sotkon waste systems. Includes washing/degreasing, lubrication, rust treatment, polishing, and component replacement. Offered as subscription plans adapted to each client's needs. For municipalities and equipment operators.
• Intake Columns (Ikon, Ikonic, Retro, Wido, Max, Diamond, Orion) Range of stainless steel intake columns (Ikon, Ikonic, Retro, Wido, Max, Diamond, Orion) for underground waste systems, with various designs for waste deposition. Available with optional safety platforms, commercial doors, pedals, and decorative finishes for urban integration. For municipalities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Operating costs decrease more than 30%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ISWA (International Solid Waste Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025Sotkon joined ISWA in April 2025, reinforcing commitment to innovation and sustainability. ISWA is described as one of the most respected global organizations in the waste management sector, providing a vital platform for knowledge exchange and global collaboration for shaping the future of waste sector worldwide.
• COTEC PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSotkon Portugal recognized as an INNOVATIVE COTEC company in 2021 and renewed this status in 2022. COTEC is a Business Association for Innovation with support from Portuguese Development Bank, DGEEC, and INPI. The statute promotes public recognition of innovative companies, creates a network of partners with benefits, and ensures better financing conditions.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Molok Oy: Finland-based pioneer of underground and semi-underground waste container systems. Closest head-to-head competitor to Sotkon's KONCEPT, serving municipalities across Europe, North America, and Asia with a comparable high-capacity buried-container concept and similar PAYT/sensor integrations.
• SULO / Conteneurs Sulo: European manufacturer of waste containers and semi-underground systems (part of the Derichebourg group). Directly competes with Sotkon in the French and German municipal markets with comparable buried-container products and similar truck-compatibility value proposition.
• Contenur: Spanish manufacturer of plastic and metal waste containers, including semi-underground systems. Competes with Sotkon on Iberian municipal tenders and shares the same urban-furniture intake-column aesthetic and EN13071 compliance posture.
• ESE World: Netherlands-based waste container manufacturer offering underground and semi-underground systems across Europe. Overlaps directly with Sotkon's product range and municipal customer base, particularly in Western and Northern European markets.

Broad incumbents

• Plastic Omnium Environment: Division of French-listed Plastic Omnium producing waste containers, including buried and semi-buried solutions. Larger and more diversified than Sotkon, but competes on the same municipal tenders with comparable underground product lines and stronger balance sheet.
• Veolia Environmental Services: Global waste management and environmental services giant operating municipal collection contracts across Europe. Competes indirectly with Sotkon by bundling collection services with container procurement, often specifying competitor hardware on multi-decade municipal concessions.
• SUEZ (Waste Services): French waste management and water services group with significant municipal collection and recycling operations in Europe. Like Veolia, it competes indirectly by being a vertically integrated buyer/specifier of underground waste container systems on large municipal concessions.
• FCC Medio Ambiente: Spanish environmental services division of FCC Group, one of the largest municipal waste operators in Iberia and Latin America. Overlaps with Sotkon's home market and can substitute Sotkon hardware with its own or competitor-supplied underground systems on integrated service contracts.

Emerging players

• Bigbelly: US-based smart waste and recycling station provider with solar-powered compacting bins and cloud fill-level monitoring. Addresses the same smart-city waste digitisation trend that Sotkon targets via SOTKIS, but with a surface-mounted rather than underground architecture.
• AMP Robotics: US-based AI robotics company applying computer vision to recycling sorting and material recovery. Adjacent competitor to Sotkon's SOTKIS DRS (AI-based packaging identification) but focused on Materials Recovery Facility automation rather than street-level containerisation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/sotkonwastesystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/SotkonWasteSystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waste-systems-by-sotkon

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sotkon