Veolia's waste management operations have benefited from higher waste volumes and prices in the first three quarters of 2019. In the group’s home market of France, the waste division increased sales in the first three quarters by around 4 per cent to €1.9bn. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, sales increased by 4.5 per cent to €1.4bn. A decrease in exports of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) resulted in an 8 per cent increase in landfill waste volumes, Veolia reported.
In the company's Northern Europe region, which includes Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, the group reported sales of around €1.08bn for the nine-month period ended 30 September. At constant rates of exchange, this corresponds to an increase of 6.4 per cent. Worldwide, Veolia's waste management activities generated revenue of €7.55bn in the January through September period.
The group's other business areas also raised their revenue. Veolia reported an increase of 5 per cent in consolidated sales, bringing the figure to €19.8bn. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) likewise improved by 5 per cent to €2.9bn. Group CEO Antoine Frérot said Veolia had delivered "solid performance" and pointed out that all performance indicators lay at the upper end of the forecast ranges. The environmental services concern also confirmed its full-year targets.
