SUEZ and Chongqing Partners Tackle Legacy Chemical Contamination in Chongqing

SUEZ joint venture Chongqing Derun Simbond awarded a hexavalent chromium contamination risk-mitigation project at the former Minfeng Chemical Plant site in Chongqing.

(IN BRIEF) SUEZ, through its joint venture Chongqing Derun Simbond, has been awarded a RMB 110 million contract to remediate hexavalent chromium contamination at the former Minfeng Chemical Plant site in Chongqing. The project involves treating approximately 2.7 million cubic metres of contaminated soil and supports China’s Yangtze River Protection Strategy. Scheduled for completion by April 2027, the initiative aims to set a benchmark for contaminated-site remediation while contributing to ecological conservation and sustainable development across the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 21-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — SUEZ, through its joint venture Chongqing Derun Simbond with Chongqing Derun Environment, has secured the contract for a major hexavalent chromium contamination risk-mitigation project at the former Minfeng Chemical Plant site in Chongqing. The project, valued at approximately RMB 110 million, forms part of China’s wider efforts to remediate historically contaminated industrial land along the Yangtze River.

The contract was awarded to the Chongqing Derun Simbond-led consortium based on its technical remediation solutions, proven track record in heavy-metal decontamination, and strong project delivery capabilities. The Minfeng site, previously used for chromate production, covers around 73.3 acres and contains an estimated 2.7 million cubic metres of soil contaminated with hexavalent chromium, presenting significant environmental and ecological risks.

The project is aligned with the Yangtze River Protection Strategy and supports ecological restoration across the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which spans 11 provincial-level regions and is home to more than 40 percent of China’s population. Decades of intensive industrial activity along the river have underpinned economic growth while creating long-term environmental challenges, making large-scale remediation projects a national priority.

As engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, the Chongqing Derun Simbond-led consortium will implement on-site ex-situ remediation and containment technologies to treat contaminated soil safely and effectively. Remediation work is expected to be completed by April 2027, after which the site may be repurposed for uses such as parkland or storage, contributing to urban regeneration and improved environmental quality.

The Minfeng project is among the most significant soil remediation initiatives launched in Chongqing within the one-kilometre protection zone along the Yangtze River, both in terms of investment size and public interest. It is also intended to serve as a benchmark for future remediation projects targeting decommissioned chemical plants across the Chengdu–Chongqing economic circle and the wider Yangtze River basin.

Chongqing Derun Simbond brings extensive experience in soil and groundwater remediation across multiple regions, including Chongqing, Shanghai, Sichuan, and Jiangsu. Its portfolio includes heavy-metal decontamination projects that have been recognised as reference cases by clients and regulators, as well as patented solutions for in-situ algae control and water-quality restoration in lakes and reservoirs.

The project reflects the long-standing collaboration between SUEZ and Chinese partners and highlights their shared commitment to translating environmental objectives into concrete outcomes. By combining SUEZ’s global expertise and innovation with strong local execution capabilities, the joint venture delivers solutions tailored to local conditions while supporting regional ecological transition.

SUEZ has been active in China’s environmental sector for five decades and remains a long-term partner in the country’s green development. Its activities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt span water and wastewater treatment, sludge management, industrial park environmental services, watershed ecosystem restoration, and waste recycling and recovery. In Chongqing, where SUEZ has partnered with local stakeholders for more than 20 years, the company continues to expand its portfolio, most recently through investment in an organic solvent recycling facility designed to prevent hazardous waste from contaminating soil and water at the source.

About SUEZ:
Faced with growing environmental challenges, SUEZ has been delivering essential services that protect and improve our quality of life for more than 160 years. SUEZ provides its customers with innovative and resilient solutions for water and waste services. With 40 000 employees across 40 countries, the Group works with customers to create value over the full lifecycle of their assets and services, and to drive their low carbon transition. In 2024, SUEZ provided drinking water for 68 million people worldwide and sanitation services for 44 million people. The Group generated 8 TWh of energy from waste and wastewater. In 2024, SUEZ has generated revenues of 9.2 billion euros.
For more information: www.suez.com

About Chongqing Derun Simbond:
With a registered capital of RMB 100 million, Chongqing Derun Simbond Environmental Remediation Company Limited (“Chongqing Derun Simbond”) was established in 2015 as a JV specialising in environmental remediation services between Chongqing Derun Environment, a subsidiary of Chongqing Water and Environment Group and SUEZ in France. Its service portfolio includes environmental investigation and risk assessment of contaminated sites; remediation planning and design; soil and groundwater decontamination; landfill management and restoration; treatment and resource recover

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SOURCE: SUEZ