The deal expands the Group’s presence in Italy and accelerates its international development

Milan, 30 July 2026 – Protos, an Italian group active in Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) and Advisory & Consulting Engineering services, announces the acquisition of HYDEA, a leading Italian engineering and technical consulting company with an established presence in Italy and on international markets.

The transaction marks a further step in the external growth path launched by Protos following H.I.G. Capital’s entry into its share capital in 2025, aimed at creating a national leader in TIC and Advisory & Consulting Engineering services.

Following the acquisition of Inarcheck, which strengthened the Group’s Testing, Inspection & Certification division, the addition of HYDEA allows Protos to accelerate the development of its Advisory & Consulting Engineering division, significantly broadening its capabilities across the entire lifecycle of works, from planning and design to construction supervision, project management and technical assistance.

The addition of HYDEA also allows Protos to extend its geographic presence across the country, adding a Florence office to the Group’s existing offices in Rome, Milan and Genoa, and to significantly strengthen its ability to operate internationally through HYDEA’s offices in Beijing and Riyadh. In particular, thanks to experience gained from more than 1,000 projects carried out in over 100 countries, HYDEA currently generates roughly half of its revenue abroad.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Florence, HYDEA operates through a team of more than 70 professionals with a multidisciplinary approach in the fields of civil engineering, cultural and archaeological heritage protection and enhancement, infrastructure engineering, environmental consulting and the circular economy. The company offers design, study, project management, construction supervision, assistance and technical consulting services to public and private clients, with significant experience also in the development and redevelopment of real estate assets, including large retail centers and complexes.

The transaction consolidates the Protos Group’s positioning in the Real Estate and Infrastructure markets, in particular strengthening its expertise in retail assets and large commercial complexes, opens up new opportunities in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, and further expands its offering in the environmental and circular economy sectors.
As part of the transaction, HYDEA’s management reinvested in Protos and will continue to contribute to the company’s leadership and development.

Francesco Medri, CEO & Managing Partner of Protos, stated:“The addition of HYDEA to the Group represents a strategic step in our growth path and significantly strengthens our Advisory & Consulting Engineering area. HYDEA brings outstanding design and consulting expertise, a multidisciplinary approach and significant
international experience. Together we will be able to offer clients even broader coverage across the entire lifecycle of works, developing important synergies in the services and markets in which we operate. This transaction also allows us to expand our presence in Italy, with a new office in Florence, and to accelerate the Group’s international development, strengthening our reach in Africa, the Middle East and China “.

Giulio Marconi, CEO of Protos Consulting and Partner of Protos Group, stated: “With this acquisition, Protos Consulting strategically strengthens its offering in circular economy services and opens up new opportunities in the historical heritage sector — two areas of strong growth that are increasingly central to real estate enhancement strategies. The integration of specialized expertise allows us to support our clients with an even more complete approach, capable of combining sustainability, regeneration and cultural enhancement. It is a step consistent with our vision for growth, which aims to establish Protos Consulting as a leading partner on high-value-added topics. ”

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About Protos
Protos is an Italian group active in Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) activities and Advisory & Consulting Engineering services, with offices in Rome, Milan and Genoa. With forty years of history, the Group supports public and private clients in Italy and abroad across various markets, including Real Estate, Infrastructure, Energy & Power and Financial Institutions.
Protos operates through two distinct and complementary divisions: Protos Check, focused on TIC services in accredited areas, supporting public and private contracting authorities, investors and industry professionals; and Protos Consulting, dedicated to Advisory & Consulting Engineering services, including technical and economic due diligence, engineering services, insurance risk consulting, ESG and environmental consulting, expert witness activities, litigation support, as well as high-value technological activities such as data remediation, enrichment and maintenance of large databases in support of financial institutions, investors, asset management companies, industrial operators, public and private clients and insurance companies.
Since 2025 Protos has been backed by H.I.G. Capital, an international investment fund that has launched a growth project aimed at strengthening its positioning as a leading operator in TIC and technical consulting services. For more information, please visit protos-spa.it.

About HYDEA
HYDEA is an Italian professional services company founded in Florence in 1990, active in the fields of civil engineering, protection and enhancement of cultural and archaeological heritage, infrastructure engineering, and environmental and circular economy consulting. The Company offers design, study, project management, construction supervision, assistance and technical consulting services across the entire lifecycle of works, for public and private clients.
With more than 70 professionals and offices in Florence, Beijing and Riyadh, HYDEA generates roughly half of its revenue abroad and has completed more than 1,000 projects in over 100 countries. The Company’s track record includes, among others, projects in infrastructure, healthcare, public and social housing, hospitality, retail and outlets, wine estates, protection of historic and UNESCO sites, and water and waste resource management. HYDEA is recognized for its multidisciplinary approach, its long-standing relationships with leading national and international clients, and its ability to coordinate complex assignments. For more information, please visit HYDEA’s website.

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