Veolia buries the Agbar brand
The French multinational that owns the group decides to unify all its activities under a single brand
BarcelonaThe Agbar brand's days are numbered. Specifically, it has six months left. Veolia, the French multinational that owns it, has decided to unify the entire group and its activities under a single brand. The change affects more than 100 local brands. The transition process, which extends from headquarters—like the one on Passeig de la Zona Franca in Barcelona—to customer water bills and vehicles, will last six months. For half a year, both brands will coexist, and "starting this summer, all brands will be integrated under the Veolia umbrella," explained Veolia's country director, Daniel Tugues. There will be some exceptions in cases where there are other partners or contractual obligations, as is the case with Aigües de Barcelona, whose shareholders include the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) and Criteria, the investment company of La Caixa, which owns 5% of Veolia.
The target, which has been given the name "one Veolia"The goal is for all activities to work synergistically, projecting an image of a solid, solvent, and global partner." And with a significant commitment to supporting Spain in its environmental challenges. Tugues explained that in Spain, the climate crisis, specifically the drought, could have worse consequences than in other periods. There was a relationship with the previous president of Agbar, Àngel Simon, who later became CEO of Criteria.
Coordinated work
The company's intention, as Tugues explains, is to present a unified image and work in a coordinated manner across all its areas of activity. This includes water management, serving more than 13 million customers throughout Spain; water technologies, where it has gained strength following the 2022 merger with Suez, Agbar's previous owner; the circular economy, energy efficiency, and decarbonization; and the treatment of solid and hazardous waste. Of the €300 million in annual investments planned for 2024, 2025, and the projected 2026, €50 million are earmarked for acquisitions and €250 million for industrial investment, according to Tugues, who assured that the 2027 forecasts have been met and will remain at a high level. Veolia, he said, plans to bid in the tender for the eight municipalities in the metropolitan area where the water management concession is expiring. These are Corbera de Llobregat, Palma de Cervelló, Molinos de Rei, Ripollet, Sant Andreu de la Barca, Cervelló, Sant Cugat del Vallès, and Tiana.
