Over the last years and especially during the high peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of being subject to harmful and systematic cyberattacks has massively increased. Although the aim of cybercriminals – to extort money – is still unchanged, their methods and targets have been developed in line with the overall increase of digitalization. In contrast to industries with a focus on sensitive data and trade secrets, such as pharmaceuticals, banks, or insurance companies, industrial companies have not focused on preventive measures against potential cyberattacks in the past. Nowadays, however, production machines are linked to each other via a network and are therefore threatened to the same extent.

With the world slowly reaching what many scientists label “a point of no return” for climate change, countries worldwide are doing their best to combat environmental damage. To that end, the European Union has developed climate and energy targets for the upcoming decade, stating that it is “vital that we direct investments towards sustainable projects and activities.”

Cerha Hempel has advised the XXXLutz Group on a share acquisition establishing an equal partnership in the Black Red White Group. Wardynski & Partners reportedly advised XXXLutz as well.

Wolf Theiss has advised Erste Group Bank on its update of the Unlimited Commercial Paper and Certificate of Deposits program. Hogan Lovells’ Frankfurt office advised the bank syndicate which worked on the update, led by the arranging Citigroup Global Markets Limited.

BPV Huegel and Vienna-based PwC affiliate Oehner & Partner have advised Voyageurs du Monde on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Eurofun Group. Reportedly, Paris-based Chammas & Marcheteau advised the buyer as well, with Haslinger Nagele and Rabel & Partner reportedly advising the sellers.

BPV Huegel has opened a new office in Salzburg. It will be managed by Partner Sonja Durager, Head of the firm's IP/IT/Data Protection practice group.

Schoenherr has advised Austrian cancer treatment and research center MedAustron on the environmental impact assessment for the commissioning of a fourth treatment room.

Schoenherr has advised Austrian scale-up Storyblok on its USD 47 million Series B financing round led by Mubadala Capital and HV Capital, with 3VC and Firstminute Capital also participating. E+H advised HV Capital on its investment.

Cerha Hempel, working with Stuttgart-based Hennerkes Kirchdoerfer & Lorz, has advised Germany's Ejot Group on its incorporation of a European Company.

Herbst Kinsky has advised Byrd Technologies on its EUR 50 million Series C financing round led by Cambridge Capital and including Elevator Ventures, Mouro Capital, and Speedinvest.

The Austrian real estate market remains vibrant throughout the country, despite growing construction and energy prices, according to Dorda Partner Magdalena Brandstetter.

Herbst Kinsky, working with Frankfurt-based Skye Partners, has advised Invision AG on the acquisition of the Austrian EduPRO Group from Luxempart German Investments S.A. Orrick's Dusseldorf office reportedly advised EduPRO on the deal.

Eisenberger + Herzog, working with Allen & Overy Germany, has advised the Riverside Company on the acquisition of GFP Handels by its portfolio company Toolport. V. Keussler Rechtsanwalte and GDB Rechtsanwalte reportedly advised the seller.

Herbst Kinsky has advised Rendity and United Benefits Holding on up to EUR 10 million bond issuance.

Florian Stefan has been promoted to Partner at Vavrovsky Heine Marth attorneys at law. 

PHH has advised the MM Group on a EUR 65 million syndicated loan for the reconstruction of the cardboard machine at its Neuss site. Noerr's Frankfurt office reportedly advised IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG on the deal.

Binder Groesswang has advised Cryoshelter GmbH on the entry of Hexagon Composites ASA into its liquid natural gas business segment and the entry of Hexagon Purus ASA into its liquid hydrogen business segment via a minority shareholding with an option for acquiring all shares. SCWP Schindhelm advised Hexagon on the deal.

Schoenherr, working with Hannes Snellmann, has advised HS Timber Group on the acquisition of Luvian Saha. Castren & Snellman reportedly advised the seller.