Chongqing - Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ, emphasized during the 18th Annual Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor’s International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) that accelerating the green transition, particularly in the manufacturing sector, is a strategic priority for the group this year. 

Soussan noted that Chongqing has transformed significantly over the past two decades, evolving from a traditional manufacturing hub to a more sustainable economic model. 

Since 2002, SUEZ has collaborated with the Chongqing government, investing over four billion yuan in advanced water supply and wastewater treatment infrastructure.

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

Soussan said that adopting advanced green technologies is essential for driving Chongqing’s industrial green transition and diversifying its economy. This approach reduces environmental burdens and creates opportunities in high-growth sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and advanced materials.

Addressing global energy supply challenges, Soussan highlighted the importance of waste-to-resource solutions. She cited SUEZ’s solid recovered fuel (SRF) power plant in France, which provides sustainable energy for a sugar distillery and cuts fossil fuel consumption by 40%. 

She believes similar innovative solutions could provide Chongqing with localized, sustainable energy, improve self-sufficiency, and promote circular energy use.

As the electric vehicle (EV) sector booms, Soussan urged Chongqing to accelerate the development of zero-carbon battery parks and lithium battery recycling hubs. 

She emphasized the need for government leadership in fostering regional cooperation among companies and cities to optimize the hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle industry.

Meanwhile, collaboration with nearby cities like Chengdu could create synergies to enhance the global competitiveness of the region’s EV industry.

“Given the reliance of EV manufacturing on batteries and strategic metals, improving the circularity and recycling capabilities of these emerging industries is crucial,” Soussan noted. “We are developing an EV battery recycling project to recover strategic metals, forming a closed-loop system to secure Europe’s energy transition needs.”

In addition to the green industrial transition, Soussan underscored the importance of digitalization and smart technologies for Chongqing’s future development. She noted that innovations in artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) could boost manufacturing efficiency while significantly reducing resource waste. 

A prime example of SUEZ’s success in digital solutions is in Macau, where optimization of the water management system reduced water leakage rates to 7.7%, a target China set for 2030, achieved a decade ahead of schedule.

“Chongqing’s large market scale and strong supply chain foundation are its unique advantages in achieving green transition,” Soussan said.

She revealed that SUEZ signed an expanded cooperation agreement with Chongqing Sanfeng Environment Group in May. The agreement aims to bring Chongqing’s waste-to-energy technology to the global market, enhancing its competitiveness in the international waste management industry.

SUEZ plans to ramp up investments in the future, focusing on enhancing the construction of water supply and wastewater treatment systems and optimizing waste recycling and resource management. 

The group aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies, breakthrough innovations, and globally recognized expertise to elevate operational standards by improving energy efficiency, leveraging digital solutions, and reducing carbon emissions.