Veolia Environnement to increase China presence
By Ma Zhiping (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2004-05-21 08:54

Henri Proglio, chairman and chief executive officer of Veolia Environnement, said in Beijing that China has become a major spot for overseas development and that his company is planning to conduct a full-range cooperation with China, especially in the field of waste management.

"Onyx, the waste management division of Veolia Environnement and the No 2 leader in waste management in the world, will explore more co-operation opportunities, bring more waste-management expertise to further solidify its position on the China market," said Proglio in an interview with Chinadaily.com.cn.

"Like in many other developing countries, waste management is becoming an issue of top concern in terms of environmental protection and sustainable development in China along with its rapid economic development," added Proglio, who is attending the annual meeting of the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Beijing Mayor.

As a world leader and the only company to provide an integrated approach to waste management in Asia, Onyx has won a number of contracts for municipal and hazardous waste treatment in China, establishing some good models for the domestic industry.

The contracts include the Guangzhou Xingfeng MSW Sanitary Landfill contract, with Onyx as the first international tender for a landfill design and operation contract, and the Shanghai Puxi Jiangqiao Waste-to-energy Facility contract, China's first waste-to-energy plant involving an international company in commissioning and operations.

The Tianjin Integrated Hazardous Waste Treatment Center, which was officially opened in September 2003, serves as a good example of incorporating incineration, physical-chemical treatment, stabilization and secure landfill facilities.

It was the first hazardous waste treatment facility in China to involve an international company and Onyx Asia provided technical assistance to the projects for its design, construction and operation.

"All our contracts have been progressing smoothly," noted Proglio. "Chinese workers and technicians are highly qualified and they are very devoted to their job.

"More importantly," Proglio continued, "we have seen no changes in promises from our Chinese partners in managing our cooperation contracts, and there have been no problems with financing issues from our local partners."

He attributed the smooth development of Veolia's businesses in China to mutual, close cooperation on both sides.

"And close coordination and support of our local Chinese partners and governments have convinced us that all these long-term contracts are fully secure in China," Proglio added

"We are willing to conduct new cooperations with more local Chinese governments in the field of waste and water treatment, and we are always ready to provide quality services."

Proglio expressed that Veolia Environnement is willing to bring experience in conducting environmental projects from the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 to the Beijing Olympics Games in 2008 to make the Games a great success.

Veolia Environnement, a world leader in environmental services with a history of more than 150 years, started its operations in China in the 1980s via its waste and water management divisions; it now manages more than 20 major contracts in cities around China, especially in Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Beijing, Guangzhou, and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

"Industries are developing rapidly in China and the urbanization process is turning 15 million people from farmers to city residents every year," said Proglio. "So, while expanding our business in the waste and water management sectors, we are also planning to introduce our expertise and seek business cooperation opportunities in the fields of passenger transportation and energy services to serve these development trends in China.

"We have begun contacts with Chinese government departments to tap into opportunities of cooperation in passenger transportation in Chinese cities. Agreements on cooperation projects can be expected at the end of this year.

"In the meantime, we are also studying the possibility of further expanding our energy service business in China," he added, without elaborating on the issue.

The French corporation has operations all around the world and provides tailored solutions to meet the needs of industrial and municipal customers in four complementary segments: waste management (Onyx), water (Veolia Water), energy (Dalkia) and passenger transportation (Connex).

Veolia Environnement, listed on the Paris and New York Stock exchanges, recorded a revenue of 28.6 billion euros in 2003.

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