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Home / About Veolia / History / 1950-2000

1950-2000

History of Veolia Environnement

1958

Forerunners of multiservice contracts

Virtually every contract to maintain US NATO bases in France was awarded to CGC. In addition to heating services, the company performed all types of maintenance work. The experience foreshadowed the multiservice facilities management contracts Veolia Energy offers today.

1967

First incineration plants

The company began operating its first waste incinerators.

1973

First oil crisis

The first oil crisis forced people to look for new ways to conserve energy.
CGC responded with solutions such as geothermy and wasted energy recovery.

1975

SARP industries created

In 1975, CGE created SARP Industries to recycle hazardous waste. SARP quickly became the first European center for the treatment of liquid toxic waste.

1980

Consolidation

CGE merged with a number of subsidiaries into Omnium de Traitement et de Valorisation (OTV). The new company specialized in the design, engineering and manufacture of water and wastewater treatment equipment. CGE acquired a controlling interest in CGEA, which later became Connex and Onyx, followed by Compagnie Générale de Chauffe, later known as Dalkia, bringing together the four businesses that form Veolia Environnement today.

1986

First waste drop-off centers

Groupe Montenay, created in 1860, merged with Compagnie Générale de Chauffe. The first waste drop-off centers opened in 1986.
The Onyx brand name was created in 1989.

1990

Acquisition of Groupe Soulier and creation of US Filter

Onyx acquired Groupe Soulier, at the time one of Europe’s biggest paper and plastic recyclers.

1994

CGE becomes a European leader in environmental services

CGE created Institut de l'Environnement Urbain (IEU) in Jouy-le- Moutier (Val d'Oise), a training and apprenticeship center that provides co-operative vocational education in environmental services occupations.

1995

Organization

Organization: Compagnie Générale de Chauffe/Groupe Montenay merged to create Compagnie Générale des Eaux’s Energy Services.
Then in 1996 USP (rail stations and trains), Comatec (urban transportation) and Rénosol came together to create the Onyx cleaning division.

1998

CGE becomes Vivendi

CGE Group changed its name to Vivendi, though the French water company retained the name Compagnie Générale des Eaux.
The Energy Services company took the name Dalkia.

1999

Vivendi Environnement created

Vivendi Environnement was created to consolidate all environmental services activities. It encompassed Vivendi Water (Water), Onyx (Waste Management), Dalkia (Energy) and Connex (Transportation).