150 years of cleantech
At Veolia Environnement, the environment is neither a passing interest nor a simple opportunity: it has been our business since 1853.
From the very beginning, we have pioneered environmental services by inventing, deploying and promoting the most advanced technologies of the day.
We have a rich history of innovation that has significantly improved the efficiency and quality of environmental services.
150 years of cleantech innovations
Veolia Environnement key dates
1853
We obtain the world's first public service concession for water distribution
1875
We build and run France's first light rail systems
1889
Our first research lab opens
1907
We are the first to use ozone to sterilize drinking water
1919
Our refuse trucks with tilting skips replace horse-drawn carts to collect waste in Paris
1937
We invent the first performance-based contract, guaranteeing boiler temperature
1962
We popularize the quick water filtration method based on sand and activated charcoal
1967
We begin operating our first waste incinerators
1989
We invent a process used to stabilize industrial sludge/liquid waste and waste from incinerators
1994
We invent an automated process to dispose of electronic equipment and recover materials for reuse
1999
We introduce nanofiltration at the Mery-sur-Oise treatment plant
2002
We develop a process to separate zinc and nickel from high-chloride effluent for reuse
2003
We install our first bioreactor in France to promote waste-to-energy solutions
2004
Our high-tech service platform in Shanghai analyzes water quality and monitors distribution in real time
2008
We begin using autoadaptive sequential sorting machines at our sorting centers to improve working conditions and reduce human contact with waste
2008
In Singapore, microelectronic plants are supplied with ultra-pure water produced from reprocessed wastewater