Veolia Joins ChemSec to Tackle Supply Chain Toxins

A longstanding sustainability issue, hazardous chemicals in waste is often overlooked. However, to tackle the subject of circular economy and prepare for possible future legislation, many brands are committing to increasing the use of recycled material in their products. 

Now, Veolia, an ecological transformation company which designs water, waste and energy management solutions, has joined the ChemSec Business Group. 

The Group gathers market-leading companies to collaborate and work to progress toxic use reduction, developing effective corporate practices in the substitution of hazardous substances.

Last year, Veolia served 113 million people with drinking water and 103 million with wastewater services, it also produced 42 terawatt-hours of energy and recovered 63 million metric tons of waste. 

It is therefore well positioned as the newest member of the Business Group to tackle supply chain toxins. 

It is the only environmental services company in the group, joining companies such as Apple, Ikea and Adidas to bring a valuable new perspective that the group has so far lacked.

The demand for the circular economy

"We're delighted to have Veolia on board. The company's extensive knowledge of waste management will be a game-changer for the Business Group,” says Dr Jonatan Kleimark, Project Manager of the ChemSec Business Group.

“We're excited to learn more about the challenges and opportunities connected to hazardous chemicals in the waste phase", Dr Kleimark continues. 

"There is great demand for post-consumer recycled materials driven by corporate commitments. To meet this demand, and for brands to fulfil their commitments to become more sustainable, the production of recycled material needs to increase drastically.

"To realise this goal, there need to be waste management companies that see the potential in recycling materials without hazardous chemicals.

“Establishing these non-toxic waste streams will be the key to scaling up the circular economy,”  he concludes. 

Businesses face more regulatory pressure 

The case for non-toxic waste management is also becoming the focus of legislative action, such as the recent Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which advocates for toxic-free material cycles.  

This regulation should increase the transparency around toxic chemicals in supply chains and facilitate recycling processes.

Veolia "key partner" for sustainable future

Within the Group, Veolia will play a critical role in supporting the transition to safer chemical alternatives in the global supply chain.

“Through collaboration with the ChemSec Business Group and engagement with other sectors, Veolia is a key partner in driving and accelerating the chemical transition, as a brick of the ecological transformation and other transitions as economical, industrial and social transitions,” says Ismahane Remonnay, Head of Prospective & Regulatory Affairs at Veolia.

“This is part of our new strategic plan GreenUp which aims to accelerate ecological transformation while preserving human health and ecosystems, for a safer and more sustainable future.” 

What is the ChemSec Business Group? 

Founded in 2004, the ChemSec Business Group acts as "a platform for dialogue among downstream users of chemicals." 

It includes member companies from a range of sectors who have a track record and interest in sustainability. Their involvement reflects their support of progressive chemicals policies and an effort to make chemicals regulation as effective and useful as possible in the current and future market. 

The Group has acted as an important voice supporting stronger chemicals standards and stricter chemicals regulation, with many members having taken part in stakeholder events and meetings with regulators, making the business case for strengthened chemicals policies.

The Group's foundation is based on the goal to find common ground between "ChemSec’s pursuit of a world free of hazardous chemicals and individual companies’ ambitions to be successful and more sustainable in their products and processes."

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