Sinopec selects Veolia for 25-year contract to optimize the water cycle in its Yanshan Petrochemical complex, located in a high water stress region 50 km from Beijing.

    Yanshan Petrochemical, a fully owned Sinopec subsidiary, and Veolia are creating a joint venture dedicated to the project which will employ 800 people.

The petrochemical complex is one of the largest production bases of synthetic rubber, synthetic resin, phenol acetone and high-quality refined oil products in China. It processes over 10 million tonnes of crude oil and produces 800,000 tonnes of ethylene annually.

Already in partnership for several years, Veolia and Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical are now extending their partnership to the entire management of the water cycle on the Yanshan site, including cooling water, demineralized water, industrial water, drinking water, chilled water, waste water and firefighting water. The goal is to optimize water consumption and increase the water recycling rate to reduce the site’s water footprint.

    Antoine Frérot, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia, explained: “The responsibilities that Sinopec has entrusted to Veolia confirm how two companies can partner up to provide the best services in their respective fields. Through this contract, Veolia will help Sinopec implement the best environmental standards and technologies to make its Beijing Yanshan site a reference in China. This contract confirms the refinery sector can perfectly keep producing while being committed to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.”

    Régis Calmels, Senior Executive Vice President Veolia Asia, added: "For Veolia, the first issue in this contract is its confirmation of the success of the partnership with Sinopec. Furthermore, the oil sector is a priority for Veolia in terms of development. Showing that Sinopec and Veolia in partnership are able to address the reality of the environmental constraints in this region is essential."