September 08, 2022

Saur confirms its ambition to become the champion of the water transition by 2030

Against the background of unprecedented climate and economic challenges, Saur continues to underline the relevance and suitability of its business model by delivering further growth and taking concrete action to protect and conserve water resources. In the first half of 2022, the Group achieved year-on-year organic revenue growth of 10%, driven by industrial water solutions (+51%), international operations (+8.6%) and Water France business (+6.2%). Saur also continues to consolidate its technology portfolio and accelerate its digital development in order to introduce more sustainable solutions for the future and support all its stakeholders (local authorities, industrial companies, consumers, farmers, non-profits and society as a whole) in achieving their own water transitions.

Valuing water as it deserves to be valued

Unveiled in early February, this new corporate purpose marks the high point of the Group's metamorphosis, and resonates even more strongly today as many countries around the world are having to cope with the challenges of extreme weather events and droughts. Saur teams have worked at full stretch throughout this year’s extreme summer weather to guarantee universal access to drinking water supplies. The water market is now at a pivotal point where delivering the water transition needed to protect water resources and guarantee universal access to water has become vital. Saur has already taken the lead in choosing to take action today to establish itself as champion of the water transition by 2030.

Saur is the first water industry company in France to have used a sustainability-linked bond issue to refinance nearly €1 billion of its corporate debt.

With a first-rate portfolio of technical and technological capabilities, Saur also consolidated its ecosystem of partners (Obeikan, Aquassay and PureControl) in the first half of 2022, and is now working with these companies to optimize energy consumption, guarantee the efficient use and management of water, and extend the digital expertise of the Group to protect and conserve water resources.

Saur consolidates its fast-growing Industrial Water Solutions division

Water management is becoming an increasingly important issue for industrial users worldwide.

In the first half of the year, Saur continued to develop its industrial water solutions business, extending its strategy with the acquisition of US water purification technology provider Aqua-Chem, and the finalization of an agreement to acquire the European Mobile Water Services division of Veolia, the second-largest mobile water services provider in Europe.

These deals and others like them are enabling the Group's Industrial Water Solutions division to consolidate its portfolio of industrial water treatment and mobile water infrastructure solutions.

Saur gains market share in France, at the same time as becoming more international

With EBITDA up 3.3%, Saur continues to win new business in French and international markets.

In France, the Group won an historic victory at the beginning of the year with the award by Saint-Etienne Métropole of its drinking water production and supply contract following a competitive tendering process.

In international markets, the Group continues to consolidate its presence in Saudi Arabia. In 2020 and 2021, Saur won two major contracts covering the country's eastern and north-western clusters, and is expanding its operational presence following the conclusion of a new partnership agreement with the digital solutions company Obeikan to accelerate digitalization of the water and utilities markets.

Patrick Blethon, Executive Chairman of Saur Group: “Saur has delivered a solid set of results, and its continued expansion underlines the strength of our business model. In February, we announced our ambition to become the champion of the water transition by 2030. In today’s more uncertain trading environment, the Group continues to rely on the expertise and commitment of its people, the diversity of its business activities, its strong balance sheet and financial strength to pursue further growth, remain agile and seize opportunities as they arise. Our growth says it all: Saur is gaining market share, becoming increasingly international and expanding further. As water resources become scarcer still, it is more essential than ever to unite all industry stakeholders around valuing water as it deserves to be valued. The sustainable growth now being delivered by the Group is enabling us to put our words into action.”

Press Contacts

Saur - Charline Danseux - 06 61 37 97 25 - charline.danseux@saur.com
Havas - Esther Garcia - 06 08 94 42 64 - saur-rp@havas.com