Although not directly linked to the activities of SUEZ Valorisation et Recyclage Réunion, which relate exclusively to waste management, the Carb’eau project, carried out in France, deserves to be highlighted because it illustrates the commitment of the SUEZ group in the search for innovative solutions.
Launched by the State to support innovations in the water sector, the Innov Eau call for projects selected the Carb’eau project, carried by the Bordet Group, SUEZ and the CNRS, to develop plant-based activated carbon, produced in France in order to reduce the environmental footprint of a material essential for the treatment of micropollutants in water. This new technology displays a proven rate of effectiveness in eliminating micropollutants, while contributing to national sovereignty. Faced with growing health and environmental issues, the quality of tap water and wastewater discharged into the natural environment is becoming a major issue for citizens, public authorities and water stakeholders in France. Treatment with activated carbon is today a known solution for producing water that complies with regulations., in the presence of a degraded resource. The Carb’eau project aims to go further by offering densified vegetable activated carbon, produced in France to reduce its environmental footprint, while guaranteeing optimal health performance for the treatment of micropollutants present in drinking water, municipal and industrial wastewater.
More efficiency, less environmental impact
The Bordet Group's densified vegetable activated carbon stands out for its effectiveness. : up to 99% of micropollutants eliminated in four hours. Beyond health performance, it benefits from a lower carbon footprint than traditional activated carbon : 0,36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne produced, vs 1,58 t CO2 équiv. for reactivated carbon, 7,42 t CO₂ equiv. for mineral activated carbon and 1,69 t CO₂ equiv. for activated carbon from coconut. Developed from PEFC certified French wood, the Carb’eau project participates in the structuring of a national sector helping to reduce France’s dependence on activated carbon imports.
Innovation and research at SUEZ
Coordinated by the Bordet Group, a French company specializing in the production of vegetable charcoal, the Carb’eau project is also supported by the Jean Lamour Institute (CNRS/University of Lorraine), who is carrying out, with Bordet, studies on the characterization and regeneration of activated carbon, and by SUEZ, which ensures the qualification tests of the adsorption capacities of activated carbon, in real conditions in wastewater treatment plants and drinking water production sites. Carb’eau is part of SUEZ’s innovation and research approach, which has more than 400 researchers and 1,300 experts in 10 centers of research and excellence in France and around the world. With its 1,800 registered patents, including 37 in 2024, SUEZ develops concrete solutions to serve the environment and public health, while anticipating the challenges of tomorrow. “Providing sustainable solutions to major environmental and societal challenges, this is the whole ambition of innovation at SUEZ. This project is the perfect illustration of that”, underlines Jérôme Bailly, senior vice-president Innovation of SUEZ.
