SUEZ and CNRS Forge Five-Year Research Partnership to Develop Innovative Circular and Decarbonisation Solutions for Sustainable Resource Management and Environmental Impact Reduction

SUEZ and CNRS Forge Five-Year Research Partnership to Develop Innovative Circular and Decarbonisation Solutions for Sustainable Resource Management and Environmental Impact Reduction

(IN BRIEF) SUEZ and the CNRS have signed a comprehensive five-year framework agreement that will merge their R&D efforts to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for resource management and decarbonisation technologies. Announced during the 3rd SUEZ Innovation Day, the partnership will leverage SUEZ’s long-standing innovation legacy—backed by 160 years of experience and a robust global R&D network—and the CNRS’s world-leading scientific excellence, which has been validated through over 30 joint projects and a shared portfolio of 14 patents. The collaboration focuses on critical areas such as sewage sludge management, seawater desalination, micropollutant treatment, and PFAS reduction. Additionally, the initiative will integrate AI and robotics to advance waste management processes and support the dismantling of ageing industrial infrastructure. The agreement comes as both organizations maintain their impressive innovation track records; SUEZ has over 400 researchers and 1,300 experts spread across 10 dedicated research centers, while CNRS regularly fosters nearly 100 start-ups and signs over 1,000 research contracts annually. This strategic alliance is poised to deliver significant advancements in circular resource usage and help both partners tackle major environmental challenges.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 10-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — SUEZ and the CNRS have formalized a five-year framework agreement to combine their research and development expertise in order to create innovative solutions that promote sustainable resource management and drive new decarbonisation technologies. Announced at the 3rd edition of SUEZ Innovation Day, this strategic partnership highlights both organizations’ commitment to leveraging scientific excellence and industrial innovation for environmental benefit. SUEZ, boasting 160 years of innovation through its robust R&D activities and state-of-the-art industrial capabilities, is focused on developing circular solutions that conserve resources, while the CNRS, one of the world’s foremost research institutions, brings years of collaborative success—marked by over 30 cooperative projects and a jointly owned portfolio of 14 patents.

Jérôme Bailly, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Research and Services at SUEZ, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are very pleased to enter into this long-term partnership with the CNRS to advance research in water and waste management. Our deep commitment to science and our industrial legacy empower us to develop breakthrough circular solutions that preserve our environment and resources.” On the CNRS side, Deputy Director for Innovation Mehdi Gmar remarked, “The CNRS is delighted to formalize our continued collaboration with SUEZ. By fusing our scientific strengths with the innovation power of a global leader in water and waste management, we are united in our mission to tackle the major environmental challenges that society faces today.”

This agreement will pool SUEZ’s extensive innovation capabilities with the scientific expertise of the CNRS to explore key issues in water management, waste treatment, and industrial decarbonisation. Building on previous projects such as the hydrothermal gasification facility developed with the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry in Bordeaux, the joint initiative will target enhanced sewage sludge management, seawater desalination, micropollutant treatment, and PFAS reduction. The partnership also seeks to improve waste processing through the integration of Artificial Intelligence and robotics and will provide long-term healthcare training programs to strengthen local infrastructure, while emphasizing the importance of dismantling ageing industrial facilities and reducing overall ecological footprints through circular resource use.

The announcement further underscores the commitment of both partners to continuous innovation: SUEZ currently harnesses the efforts of 400 researchers and 1,300 experts across 10 Centers of Excellence in France and China, with 1,800 patents filed to date – including 37 in 2024, placing SUEZ among the top 50 patent filers in the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI). Meanwhile, the CNRS ranked 7th among patent applicants in 2024, fosters nearly 100 start-ups annually from its supervised laboratories, and consistently signs more than 1,000 new research contracts with companies each year.

Innovation at SUEZ
– 400 researchers and 1300 experts
– 10 Centres of Excellence and Research in France and China
– 1800 patents filed, including 37 in 2024. SUEZ entered the Top 50 of the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) for patent filers for the first time (37th place).

Innovation at CNRS
– 7th place in the ranking of patent applicants (2024 list of the National Institute of Intellectual Property, INPI)
– Nearly 100 start-ups from CNRS-supervised laboratories created each year
– More than 1,000 new research contracts with companies signed every year

strong>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 2023, SUEZ provided drinking water for 57 million people worldwide and sanitation services for more than 36 million people. The Group generated 7.7 TWh of energy from waste and wastewater. In 2023,
SUEZ generated revenues of 8.9 billion euros. For more information: www.suez.com / X @suez / LinkedIn @SUEZ.

Media Contacts:

SUEZ 
Email: suez.media@suez.com
Tel: +33 6 32 18 39 54

CNRS
Mail : presse@cnrs.fr
Tel : +33 1 44 96 51 51

SOURCE: SUEZ