Chongqing - Bridging News had an interview with Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ, to understand why she is confident in the long-haul investment and collaboration in China during the 17th Annual Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor’s International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) at the Chongqing Yuelai International Conference Center on September 22.

Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ. (Photo/ SUEZ)

A new water treatment plant in Chongqing

According to Soussan, SUEZ recently expanded its cooperation with Chongqing Water Group Co., Ltd., investing over 1.2 billion yuan (approx.164 million USD) to expand the capacity of our existing water treatment plants. By 2025, Suez’s daily water supply capacity in Chongqing will reach 1.68 million cubic meters, and the service population will increase from the current 2.7 million to more than 3.3 million.

“We’ve been continuously inspired by the city’s progressive stands on green development,” said Soussan. “These various stands disseminate its displays in Suez’s overarching global investment strategies.”

First, The core of SUEZ’s investment cooperation in Chongqing is rooted in their deep and lasting friendships throughout more than 20 years. So far, Suez Group’s investment in Chongqing has exceeded 4 billion yuan, from a relatively small drinking water supply project to sewage treatment and industrial park environmental services. 

One of the examples is using SUEZ’s AQUADVANCED® Plant smart solution and big data technology to equip the municipality with a “smart brain” for water supply, further optimizing the operational efficiency of water supply facilities and networks. This gives rise to Chongqing’s water supply networks’ leakage rate reduction from 30% to 14.7%, increasing the security, stability, and quality of the water supply and preserving Chongqing’s water resources.

The successful cooperation with Chongqing has also provided SUEZ with good experience in expanding its business in other cities in China. The company also promised to support and assist Chongqing’s foreign investment and overseas business expansion in constructing the Belt and Road initiative.

Second, regarding its environmental protection infrastructure, SUEZ is optimistic about the growth prospects of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. They have been replicated and promoted Chongqing’s mature expertise and best practices to the economic circle.

Soussan said that SUEZ has entered the Chengdu-Chongqing region for over 20 years, with projects spread across Chongqing, Chengdu, Chongzhou, and Meishan.

She emphasized that cooperation with Chongqing is not just another city but a symbol of hope, resilience, and vision to SUEZ. “As we envision the past ahead, we see Chongqing shining even brighter, becoming a reference for sustainable growth and global collaboration.”

SUEZ’s first plastics recovery project in China

SUEZ and its partner Taichu Environmental Resource Management have signed a contract to jointly invest in, build, and operate six collection and sorting centers for post-consumer plastics in Eastern China. The joint venture will adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and intelligent information systems to deliver a smart, digitalized, and low-carbon recovery system with end-to-end traceability. These facilities are scheduled to be completed by early 2024 and will be able to collect and sort approximately 30,000 tons of plastic waste per year.

The proposed project will help improve the regional network of waste material recovery and enhance the sorting operations of recyclable materials. It will also contribute towards meeting China’s goal of clean and compliant recovery, recycling, and disposal of plastic waste at scale to mitigate China’s plastic waste pollution and promote the country’s ecological transition.

Visiting China this week, Sabrina Soussan commented: “These two contracts demonstrate our relentless commitment to supporting sustainable development in China by providing resilient and innovative solutions in water and waste services.”