150 years of Cleantech

From the very beginning, we've 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.

Some of Veolia's cleantech''firsts''

1853
Veolia obtains the world's first public service concession for water distribution

1875
Veolia builds and runs France's first tram lines

1889
Our first research lab opens

1907
Veolia is the first to use ozone to sterilize drinking water

1919
Our refuse trucks with tilting skips replace horse-drawn carts to collect Paris' waste

1937
We invented the performance-based contract, guaranteeing boiler temperature

1962
Veolia popularizes the quick water filtration method based on sand and activated charcoal

1999
We introduce nanofiltration at the Mery-sur-Oise treatment plant

2004
Our high-tech service platform in Shanghai analyzes water quality and monitors distribution in real time

2008
In Singapore, microelectronic plants are supplied with ultra-pure water produced from reprocessed wastewater