Veolia Environnement S.A., branded as Veolia, is a French transnational company with activities in three main service and utility areas traditionally managed by public authorities – water management, waste management and energy services. In 2025, Veolia employed 215,000 employees in 56 countries. Its revenue in that year was recorded at €44.396 billion.[4] It is quoted on Euronext Paris. It is headquartered in Aubervilliers.[5]
Prior to 1998, Veolia was known as Compagnie Générale des Eaux. Between 1998 and 2003, the company was known as Vivendi Environnement, having been spun off from the Vivendi conglomerate, most of the rest of which became Vivendi.
In 2014, following a major restructuring, the company adopted the single name "Veolia" for all its operations, adding the name of the business sector to ensure clear identification (e.g., Veolia Environment. In french : "Veolia Environnement").[6]
At the end of 2020, Veolia took over 29.9% of its competitor Suez Eau France as part of a strategy to expand its environmental services operations. The merger terms were signed in May 2021.[7]
In July 2022, Estelle Brachlianoff became the CEO of the group, succeeding Antoine Frérot, who stayed on as chairman of its board.[8]
History
1853–2003: Compagnie Générale des Eaux and Vivendi
On 14 December 1853, a water company named Compagnie Générale des Eaux (CGE) was created by an Imperial decree of Napoleon III.[9] In 1853, CGE obtained a concession to supply water to the public in Lyon, serving in this capacity for over a hundred years. In 1860, it obtained a 50-year concession with the City of Paris.[10]
For a hundred years, Compagnie Générale des Eaux remained largely focused on the water sector. However, following the appointment of Guy Dejouany as CEO in 1976, CGE extended its activities into other sectors with a series of takeovers.
Beginning in 1980, CGE began diversifying its operations from water into waste management, energy, transport services, and construction and property. It did so by acquiring:[11]
Operations
Overview
Veolia is established in 56 countries, with employees across the globe in 2024:[41] The group operates in the water, waste and energy sectors. It is present on five continents and has 215,000 employees. In 2025, the Veolia group had 110 million users for its drinking water supply services and 97 million for sanitation. According to company figures, it produced nearly 45 terawatt hours and recovered 64 million tonnes of waste. Its consolidated turnover is 44.4 billion euros for a net profit of 1,643 million euros.[42] The company is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange under the VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120 index.
- Europe (excluding France): 39.3%
- France: 20.6%
- Asia and Oceania: 15.1%
- Latin America: 11.9%
- North America: 6.5%
Financial information
On 31 December 2024, shares in Veolia Environnement were held as follows: 10.4% Individual shareholders, 8.9% Employees, 5.9% BlackRock, 5.8% Amundi, 4.7% Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations CNP, 3.4% Vanguard, 2.9% Impax, 2.1% BPCE, 2.0% Strate Street, 1.9% Pictet, 1.7% Norges, 1.4% Self detention, 48.8% Other institutional shareholders [43]
Veolia issued two profit warnings in 2011 and announced plans to quit half of the 77 countries where it does business. It launched a €5 billion ($6.4 billion) fire sale of assets. The company and its top executives were facing the prospect of a U.S. class-action lawsuit in January 2012 over allegations that they made "misleading" statements between 2007 and 2011 about its financial well-being. The company, which was described as "struggling" by the Financial Times, said that a complaint had been filed against it in New York for violation of U.S. federal securities laws. Veolia's shares were the worst performer on France's CAC 40 index in 2011, falling 60%.[44]
The following is a summary of data (in millions of euros):[45][46][47]
Corporate social responsibility
The company reports activities related to sustainable development across its water, waste, and energy operations. Environmental and social objectives are included in its corporate strategy. The company is involved to a greater or lesser extent in the implementation of each of the 17 UN SDGs, and reports alignment with 13 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The company's sustainability efforts are furthered by its Foundation and Institute which support activities related to research and environmental initiatives.[50]
The Veolia Foundation
The Veolia Foundation supports non-profit activities related to sustainable development, professional continuous development and the protection of the environment in France and overseas. The foundation supports projects through financial aid and voluntary services provided by its employees. It also supports emergency relief operations in collaboration with humanitarian organisations.[51]
Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Veolia Foundation dispatched 30 tons of emergency supplies (mainly water treatment units) via French Red Cross air transportation. The Foundation also sent Veolia technical experts to provide water to the disaster's victims.[52]
Research and development
As of 31 December 2009, the Group's research and development investments reached €89.8 million (€92.1 million in 2008, €84.6 million in 2007).
The Research and Innovation division includes 850 experts and supports around 200 scientific partnerships with private and public organisations. The division focuses on four main issues:[55]
- Manage and preserve natural resources
- Control impacts on natural environments
- Care for health and living environments
- Develop alternative sources of energy
Programmes
Veolia's R&I division has determined nine main development programmes through which a number of research projects are managed:[56]
Operating events
West Carrollton plant explosion
On 4 May 2009, a Veolia Environmental Service's plant in West Carrollton, Ohio, United States, exploded. The blast leveled two buildings on the property which were a laboratory and a building that had several 200,000 gallon chemical tanks. This particular plant handles fuel blending among other services. Two workers at the plant were injured in the blast.[57] The explosion caused $50 million in damage to the plant itself. More than a dozen homes up to a mile radius from the blast were also damaged due to the explosion.
Fatal accident in Gatlinburg
Two workers died after a catastrophic mechanical failure in April 2011 at a waste water treatment plant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States, owned by the local municipality and operated by Veolia Water. At least 1.5 million gallons of a mix of storm and sewage water were spilled into a nearby river after a sewage-holding wall collapsed.[58]
Wellington wastewater plant failure
Controversies
Veolia v Lithuania
In 2017, French company Veolia sued Lithuania in Stockholm arbitration court demanding about 100 million euros in damages.[63] Veolia alleges that Lithuanian government is involved in illegal conduct and that it expropriated Veolia's investments. This is Veolia's second arbitration lawsuit against Lithuania after it sued Lithuania in Washington arbitration court in 2016.[64]
Relations with Israel
In February 2011, the Tower Hamlets London Borough Council of the London borough of Tower Hamlets, voted to review its position with Veolia and place no further contracts with it, after claiming that Veolia's work for the Israeli government assisted the "continued oppression of the Palestinian people".[65]
The Justice and Peace Commission, part of the
See also
- Distributed generation
- Veolia Transport
- Water privatization
External links
References
- Annual Results 2025 Veolia Environnement, retrieved 26 February 2025^
- Veolia Environnement S.A. financial information Wall Street Journal, retrieved 27 July 2023^
- Integrated report 2024 Veolia Environnement, retrieved 24 April 2024