Remondis Aqua

What is it?

The water services arm of German water and waste specialist Remondis, part of the privately held Rethmann Group.

What has it done?

2009 was a breakthrough year for Remondis Aqua: in May, it set itself up to take advantage of the rapidly expanding Indian water market by acquiring a local company with an established municipal and industrial reference base. In August, it became the only non-French company to pre-qualify for the renewal of the SEDIF contract - the biggest water management contract in France - and subsequently broke new ground in December by becoming the first international private operator to win a water PPP in Russia. The company concluded the acquisition of Spanish systems operator OMS-Sacede in January 2010.

What makes it special?

• Remondis Aqua has expanded its international portfolio 10-fold in as many years. From serving one million people at the start of the decade, the company now provides water and wastewater services to 9.6 million customers - 75% of whom are outside Germany.

• The company’s prudent approach is firmly geared towards international growth - but not at any cost. The expansion of its municipal client base is matched by the vast potential to export its industrial wastewater treatment expertise to clients around the world.

• The daring approach of Remondis Aqua’s business development team has seen the company go where no other international water operator has gone before, pre-qualifying for the flagship SEDIF contract in France, and winning the ground-breaking Arzamas concession in Russia.