Vivendi receives world’s biggest ever contract for environmental services

French giant Vivendi announced the seven year contract for providing cleaning and energy services to global healthcare, agribusiness and nutrition company, Novartis, worth 130 million euros (£79 million) annually, on 19 September.

The contract for Novartis’ waste management services comprises the provision of one solvent recycling plant, an incinerator for solid waste, handling 20,000 tonnes annually, an incinerator for liquid waste, handling 100,000 tonnes each year, solvent storage areas and the collection and recycling of solid waste.

On the energy side, Vivendi Environnement will produce electricity and central heating for the incinerators, manage and distribute energy for existing installations, and manage the storage areas.

Novartis’ four Swiss production centres will be responsible for 80% of Vivendi Environnement’s business and the rest will be spread out over 30 other facilities, run by Novartis’ associates. The contract will commence on 1 January 2001.