14-10-2025

Veolia bets on innovation to transform CO2 into a new community resource with Le Mans métropole in France

Veolia is partnering with Le Mans Métropole to launch the first phase of its comprehensive carbon capture and valorisation programme. This pioneering industrial-scale project will take place at Le Mans’ waste-to-energy facility — operated by Veolia for 50 years and a leader in innovation. The industrial demonstration unit will be operational in 2026, processing up to 10 tons of CO₂ per day with a 90% capture rate.

A groundbreaking global project takes shape in Le Mans

This unprecedented and technically ambitious project stands out for its innovative approach to CO₂ valorisation. After capture using solvents followed by liquefaction, this CO₂ can serve as a new resource for local agriculture or industry. Applications include supplying greenhouse operators to replace fossil-based CO₂ for crop growth, recharging fire extinguishers, producing dry ice, or transforming it into mineral materials or sustainable fuel.

The potential applications are numerous. Veolia is committed to exploring all CO₂ valorisation pathways while prioritising local applications to create a circular approach at the community level — in line with its GreenUp strategic program. This pragmatic, collaborative approach builds on close cooperation with Le Mans Métropole, a long-standing Veolia partner.

“Innovation is at the heart of our industrial approach to ecological transformation. As a global leader, we can deploy our expertise and cutting-edge technologies in decarbonization and the circular economy to deliver concrete industrial solutions for communities. We are extremely proud of this French first, which demonstrates that industry in France can be ambitious, realistic, and circular all at once,” says Jean-François Nogrette, CEO of Veolia France.

"With this carbon capture project, Le Mans Métropole is at the forefront of innovation in energy transition. This project underscores our full commitment to fighting climate change and our ambition for industrial and economic development. We are extremely proud that Le Mans’ waste-to-energy facility is pioneering this new decarbonization technology on a global scale," adds Stéphane Le Foll, Mayor of Le Mans and President of Le Mans Métropole.

The carbon capture program will continue in Port Arthur, United States in 2026

Leveraging its expertise in water technologies, Veolia will deploy a second pilot in the United States in 2026. This facility will be capable of capturing and utilising one ton of carbon per day using innovative technology currently under development. The medium-term goal is to advance decarbonisation of waste incineration activities and diversify CO₂ capture solutions to meet the needs of industrial partners.

In North America, Veolia aims to decarbonise the Port Arthur hazardous waste incinerator as part of its commitment to achieving a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2032.

"Within two years, Veolia will invest €12 million in industrial-scale carbon capture and valorization pilot units. Our international footprint and innovation capabilities enable us to embark on this forward-looking project. Like the project launched in France, successive implementations — particularly across the Atlantic — will demonstrate how our cutting-edge technologies can be deployed at large scale and contribute to the ambitious decarbonisation goals of our GreenUp strategic program," says Anne Le Guennec, CEO of Veolia's water technologies activities.

This comprehensive carbon capture and valorisation program aligns directly with Veolia's GreenUp strategy to depollute, decarbonize, and regenerate resources.