Paris, August 7, 2001 — The international environmental company Suez Group announced a jump of more than 26 percent in its first-half 2001 revenues.
Total first-half 2001 Group revenues were EUR 20,614 million, representing a 26.8% increase over the same period in 2000.
This strong growth demonstrates the Group's capacity to exploit its positions in its four business areas. In its various components and overall, first-half growth in 2001 is comparable to that of first-half 2000.
� Internally-generated growth: excluding consolidation changes (+7.3%), exchange rate fluctuations (+0.3%), and energy trading activity, internally-generated growth was 9.1%. Including energy trading, it was 19.2%.
� Growth through acquisitions amounted to +7.3%. Changes in consolidation (EUR 1,190 million) correspond to the Group's recent acquisitions, mainly in energy with Electrabel Nederland BV (the former Epon in the Netherlands), Energie Saar Lor Lux (Germany), Tractebel LNG North America LLC (formerly Cabot LNG in the U.S.) and the Sithe Energies Inc. subsidiaries in Thailand, and in waste services with Sembsita Australia (Pacific Waste Management, Australia) and Sellbergs (Sweden).
� Internationalization: Revenues generated outside France and Belgium (EUR 11.1 billion) grew 48.2%. They represent 53.6% of total revenues, versus 45.9% for the first six months of 2000.
Group business revenue trends
Revenues for the water group (Ondeo) were up +11.6%, Suez said.
Despite the impact of lower rates in the U.K. (since April 1, 2000), the water management activity (Ondeo Services) increased by 8.7%. Excluding this effect, Ondeo Services revenues would have increased by 9.8%.
International water revenues rose +11.5% (including +6.2% in internally-generated growth).
In France internally-generated revenues grew by 4.9%, largely related to the development of wastewater treatment and services to industrial customers.
The chemical water treatment activity (Ondeo Nalco), mainly serving industrial customers, progressed by 17.8%, benefiting from the acquisition of the remaining equity in NEEC (water treatment and chemical processes for the petroleum industry). Despite the economic downturn in the U.S., internally-generated growth came to +4%, thanks to the NEEC, Pulp & Paper, and Global Mining divisions.
The water engineering activity (Ondeo Degr�nt) recorded +11.4% growth due mainly to the European municipal authority market.
For more information, visit Suez on the Internet: http://www.press.suez.com.
