Danone-Veolia to develop water management and climate protection solutions

French industry giants Danone and Veolia have formed a global alliance which is aimed at combating climate change and is focused on management of water cycle and wastes along with sustainable agriculture and energy efficiency.

The firms will be collaborating for exploring innovating solutions related to the four major areas.

The strategic deal is in line with Danone’s climate policy which targets to reach a zero net carbon footprint by 2050 for the firm’s assets.

The companies have identified specific projects in the country and abroad as well, which are to be launched at Danone from 2016.

Danone and Veolia intend to deploy the projects gradually, and utilise information drawn from an initial round of pilot projects.

Securing access to water resources and sustainable management of plastic packaging will be considered as priorities under the initiative, among others.

The pipelined projects will involve construction of ‘zero liquid discharge’ facilities to optimise water recycling, along with other circular economy projects.

Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber said: "With this alliance, Danone continues to innovate in the social and environmental spheres by encouraging the emergence of entirely new forms of cooperation that promote change.

By teaming up with Veolia, we are ensuring a secure source of strategic resources and optimising their utilisation, since our climate policy is an integral part of our mission and our business."

Veolia chairman and CEO Antoine Frérot said: "Both the form and the goals of this alliance make it a truly unique initiative in creating economic, social and environmental value.

"We are working with Danone to help them reach their 2020 goals while benefiting from major scope for business development. Our expertise is being invested to optimise water, waste and energy management across all of their processes."