Suez Environnement
Encyclopedia
Suez Environnement S.A. is a French
-based utility
company which operates largely in the water treatment
and waste management
sectors. Formerly an operating division of Suez, the company was spun out
as a stand-alone entity as part of the merger to form GDF Suez
on 22 July 2008. GDF Suez remains the largest shareholder of the company with a 35% stake. Suez Environnement shares are listed on the Euronext
exchanges in Paris
and Brussels
. The company has its head office in the 8th arrondissement of Paris
.
industries, and in the waste management
industry.
Suez Environnement also operates in the desalination
domain.
The company organises its activities around a number of themes, including coastline protection, the provision of water
to those without access, the distribution of water from alternative sources, the management of industrial impacts and the decontamination of soils.
and SITA France (a Suez Environnement subsidiary) which seeks to achieve 95% reclamation of all vehicle car parts by 2015, and Lyonnaise des Eaux’s successful 12 million cubic metres water savings in 2006.
On the whole, indicators of this plan have been positive. The company has noted:
In recent years, the Group has been called to answer general criticisms regarding the privatisation of water distribution utilities and associated price increases, with apparently detrimental effects on the poor. The Group has responded that its investments and service provision have improved water quality
and increased accessibility to water sources for people in the zones where it operates.
The Suez Environnement 2010 financial results were released on 9 February 2011. Revenues were up almost 13% on the previous year. The net result Group share (profit) was reported at €565 million, or €1.15 per share. EBITDA
was recorded at €2,339 million, up 13.6% on the previous year.
with around 35.4%. Other major stakes are held by Groupe Bruxelles Lambert
(7.1%), employees of the company (0.9%), Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
(2.0%), Areva
(1.4%), CNP Assurances
(1.3%), and Sofina
(0.8%). Some 52% of the shares are considered free float.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-based utility
Public utility
A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies...
company which operates largely in the water treatment
Water treatment
Water treatment describes those processes used to make water more acceptable for a desired end-use. These can include use as drinking water, industrial processes, medical and many other uses. The goal of all water treatment process is to remove existing contaminants in the water, or reduce the...
and waste management
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
sectors. Formerly an operating division of Suez, the company was spun out
Spin out
A spin-out, also known as a spin-off or a starburst, refers to a type of corporate action where a company "splits off" sections of itself as a separate business....
as a stand-alone entity as part of the merger to form GDF Suez
GDF Suez
GDF Suez S.A. is a French multinational energy company which operates in the fields of electricity generation and distribution, natural gas and renewable energy. The world's largest utility after taking control of Britain's International Power, the company was initially formed by the merger of Gaz...
on 22 July 2008. GDF Suez remains the largest shareholder of the company with a 35% stake. Suez Environnement shares are listed on the Euronext
Euronext
Euronext N.V. is a pan-European stock exchange based in Amsterdam and with subsidiaries in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. In addition to equities and derivatives markets, the Euronext group provides clearing and information services...
exchanges in Paris
Euronext Paris
Euronext Paris is France's securities market, formerly known as the Paris Bourse, which merged with the Amsterdam, Lisbon and Brussels exchanges in September 2000 to form Euronext NV, which is the second largest exchange in Europe behind the UK's London Stock Exchange...
and Brussels
Brussels Stock Exchange
The Brussels Stock Exchange was founded in Brussels, Belgium, by Napoleonic decree in 1801. On September 22, 2000, the BSE merged with Paris Bourse, Lisbon Stock Exchange and the stock exchanges of Amsterdam, to form Euronext N.V., the first pan-European exchange for equities and derivatives,...
. The company has its head office in the 8th arrondissement of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Activities
Suez Environnement operates in the water distribution and wastewater treatmentWastewater Treatment
Wastewater treatment may refer to:* Sewage treatment* Industrial wastewater treatment...
industries, and in the waste management
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
industry.
Water
The Suez Environnement Group’s water-related activities include:- The production and distribution of drinking waterDrinking waterDrinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
- The treatment of waste water
- Design and manufacture of water treatment plantsSewage treatmentSewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater and household sewage, both runoff and domestic. It includes physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove physical, chemical and biological contaminants...
- Management of domestic and industrial waste water
Suez Environnement also operates in the desalination
Desalination
Desalination, desalinization, or desalinisation refers to any of several processes that remove some amount of salt and other minerals from saline water...
domain.
The company organises its activities around a number of themes, including coastline protection, the provision of water
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
to those without access, the distribution of water from alternative sources, the management of industrial impacts and the decontamination of soils.
Waste management
Suez Environnement also:- Sorts and processes household, industrialIndustryIndustry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
, medical and agricultural waste - RecyclesRecyclingRecycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
and incineratesIncinerationIncineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
waste products or disposes of them in managed landfill sites - Sanitises and de-pollutes contaminated ground
Sustainable development
The company has participated in several flagship projects, including a joint venture between RenaultRenault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
and SITA France (a Suez Environnement subsidiary) which seeks to achieve 95% reclamation of all vehicle car parts by 2015, and Lyonnaise des Eaux’s successful 12 million cubic metres water savings in 2006.
On the whole, indicators of this plan have been positive. The company has noted:
- An increase in recovery rate of treated waste by nearly 2% from 2006 to 2009, meaning 12.8 million tons of “secondary raw materials” and compost were produced in 2009
- A decrease in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from 6.07 MT CO² eq. in 2006 to 5.88 in 2009
- An increase in production of useful sustainable energy – from 2,070 GWh in 2006 to 2,500 in 2009
In recent years, the Group has been called to answer general criticisms regarding the privatisation of water distribution utilities and associated price increases, with apparently detrimental effects on the poor. The Group has responded that its investments and service provision have improved water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
and increased accessibility to water sources for people in the zones where it operates.
Financial results
Financial results in millions of euros:| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 13,869 | 12,296 | 12,364 |
| EBITDA EBITDA EBITDA is an acronym for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It is a non-GAAP metric that is measured exactly as stated. All interest, tax, depreciation and amortization entries in the income statement are reversed out from the bottom-line net income... |
2,339 | 2,060 | 2,102 |
| Current operating income | 1,025 | 926 | 1,059 |
| Net income (group share) | 565 | 403 | 533 |
The Suez Environnement 2010 financial results were released on 9 February 2011. Revenues were up almost 13% on the previous year. The net result Group share (profit) was reported at €565 million, or €1.15 per share. EBITDA
EBITDA
EBITDA is an acronym for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It is a non-GAAP metric that is measured exactly as stated. All interest, tax, depreciation and amortization entries in the income statement are reversed out from the bottom-line net income...
was recorded at €2,339 million, up 13.6% on the previous year.
Subsidiaries and holdings
- Aguas de BarcelonaGrupo AgbarAgbar is a Spanish company dedicated to services, distribution or treatment of water. The company was founded in 1867 in Liège as Compagnie des Eaux de Barcelone by an investor from France and Catalonia . The group is present in almost all the continents as North America, South America, Asia and...
— Spanish water treatment and distributionWater supplyWater supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
company (75,1% stake) - Aquasystems – waste water treatment in Slovenia
- Australia Water Services – water treatment services delivered through the DegrémontDegrémontDegrémont is a company specializing in the production of drinking water, and in the treatment of sewage and sludge. After starting as a family business in France in 1939, it has since become a subsidiary of Suez Environment, employing 4,600 people in 70 countries, and generating annual revenues of...
subsidiary to customers in Australia and New Zealand - Bal-Ondeo – water treatment services in Mexico
- China – comprising Sino French Holdings and Sino French Water; SITA Waste Services and DegrémontDegrémontDegrémont is a company specializing in the production of drinking water, and in the treatment of sewage and sludge. After starting as a family business in France in 1939, it has since become a subsidiary of Suez Environment, employing 4,600 people in 70 countries, and generating annual revenues of...
- Cirsee – the main centre for research within Suez Environnement
- DegrémontDegrémontDegrémont is a company specializing in the production of drinking water, and in the treatment of sewage and sludge. After starting as a family business in France in 1939, it has since become a subsidiary of Suez Environment, employing 4,600 people in 70 countries, and generating annual revenues of...
— water and waste water treatment engineering - DHC-Aguakan – part-owned by Bal-Ondeo and Suez Environnement
- Eurawasser – water treatment subsidiary in Germany
- Fairtec – developer of waste management engineering solutions in France
- Lyonnaise des Eaux – water provision and waste water treatment in France
- Lydec – water treatment specialists, Morocco
- Macao Water – water treatment in Macao
- Novergie – a subsidiary of Sita, and a specialist in incineration and energy exploitation from household waste
- Ondeo IS – specialist in the provision of water cycle services to industry
- Ondeo Italia – water cycle management in Italy
- Ondeo Services Ceska Republica – water treatment services, Czech Republic
- Ondeo Services Hungary Ltd – water treatment services, Hungary
- Pecsi Vizmu - Hungary
- Sino French Water Development – water production, full services, municipal sewage treatment, industrial water treatment services in China
- SitaSita (waste management)SITA is the main brand representing Suez Environnement's waste subsidiaries in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific zone and Australia....
— recycling and resource management, with subsidiaries in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. - SafegeSAFEGESAFEGE is an acronym for the French consortium Société Anonyme Française d' Etude de Gestion et d' Entreprises and is pronounced SAY-fij in English....
— water and environmental engineering consultancy - Swire Sita
- Sita Remediation – specialist in the treatment of polluted ground
- Teris – treatment of hazardous industrial waste and polluted ground, France
- Terralys – specialist in re-use and biological treatment of organic waste
- Trashco – waste management in the United Arab Emirates
- United WaterUnited WaterUnited Water Resources, founded as Hackensack Water Company in 1869, has grown into one of the United States's largest water services companies. It is headquartered in Harrington Park, New Jersey. The company owns and operates water and wastewater utilities and also has contracts to operate...
— water treatment in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Shareholder structure
The largest shareholder in Suez Environnement as of 31 December 2010 is GDF SuezGDF Suez
GDF Suez S.A. is a French multinational energy company which operates in the fields of electricity generation and distribution, natural gas and renewable energy. The world's largest utility after taking control of Britain's International Power, the company was initially formed by the merger of Gaz...
with around 35.4%. Other major stakes are held by Groupe Bruxelles Lambert
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert is a Belgian industrial holding company. It is one of the ten biggest Belgian companies, and part of the BEL20. It has been listed in Brussels since 1956.Shareholdings as of 31 December 2010 were:...
(7.1%), employees of the company (0.9%), Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
Caisse des dépôts et consignations
The Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations is a French financial organization created in 1816, and part of the government institutions under the control of the Parliament. Augustin De Romanet is the board chairman and chief executive...
(2.0%), Areva
Areva
AREVA is a French public multinational industrial conglomerate headquartered in the Tour Areva in Courbevoie, Paris. AREVA is mainly known for nuclear power; it also has interests in other energy projects. It was created on 3 September 2001, by the merger of Framatome , Cogema and...
(1.4%), CNP Assurances
CNP Assurances
CNP Assurances S.A. is a major French insurance corporation. CNP stands for Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance. It is listed on the Fortune Global 500. The company was formed in 1959 as a subsidiary of Caisse des dépôts et consignations, which continues to hold approximately 40% of the company....
(1.3%), and Sofina
Sofina
Sofina, Société Financière de Transports et d'Entreprises Industrielles, is a Belgian holding company, headquartered in Brussels, which invests in several industrial sectors such as Telecommunication , Portfolio companies, Banks and Insurance , Private Equity , Services within the Company ,...
(0.8%). Some 52% of the shares are considered free float.