Techno News

A Made in France Plant-Based Activated Carbon for Treating Micropollutants in Water, The Carb’eau Project, Led by Groupe BORDET, SUEZ and CNRS, Selected by INNOV’EAU

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  • INNOV’EAU, a call for projects launched by the French government to support innovation in the water sector, has selected the Carb’eau project, led by Groupe BORDET, SUEZ and CNRS, the French national centre for scientific research.
  • Carb’eau develops a plant-based activated carbon, made in France, to reduce the environmental footprint of a material essential for water treatment. This new technology demonstrates proven efficacy in eliminating micropollutants, while contributing to national sovereignty.

In the face of growing health and environmental challenges, the quality of tap water and of wastewater discharged into the natural environment is becoming a major concern for citizens, public authorities, and water-sector stakeholders in France. To address these new challenges, the INNOV’EAU call for projects supports innovations in the water sector with EUR100 (USD115.8) million in funding.

Activated carbon treatment is now a proven solution for producing water that complies with regulations when the resource is degraded. The Carb’eau project aims to go further by offering a densified, plant-based activated carbon produced in France to reduce its environmental footprint and contribute to national industrial sovereignty, while ensuring optimal sanitary performance for treating micropollutants in drinking water, as well as municipal and industrial wastewater:

  • Groupe BORDET’s densified plant-based activated carbon stands out for its effectiveness: up to 99 per cent of micropollutants eliminated in 4 hours.
  • Beyond its sanitary performance, it has a smaller carbon footprint than traditional activated carbon: 0.36 t CO2e per metric ton produced, vs. 1.58 t CO2e for reactivated carbon, 7.42 t CO2e for mineral activated carbon, and 1.69 t CO2e for coconut-based activated carbon.
  • Developed from PEFC1 certified French wood, the Carb’eau project helps structure a national supply chain, reducing France’s dependence on imported activated carbon.

Coordinated by Groupe BORDET, a French company specialising in the production of plant-based charcoal, the Carb’eau project is also supported by the Jean Lamour Institute (CNRS/University of the Lorraine region), which, together with BORDET, conducts studies on the characterisation and regeneration of activated carbon; and by SUEZ, which carries out qualification tests of the activated carbon’s adsorption capacity under real-world conditions at wastewater treatment plants and drinking water treatment works.

The Carb’eau project takes part in SUEZ’s innovation and research strategy, which includes more than 400 researchers and 1,300 experts across 10 research and excellence centres in France and worldwide. With 1,800 patents filed, including 37 in 2024, SUEZ develops practical solutions serving the environment and public health, while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges.

Carb’eau perfectly embodies Groupe BORDET’s industrial and environmental ambition: to offer a French, high-performance and sustainable solution to address the health and environmental emergency posed by water micropollutants. We are taking a further step towards sovereignty in water treatment thanks to our innovative, scientifically validated technology. On this occasion, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our partners — SUEZ and the CNRS — as well as the BORDET teams who have been mobilised for several years to make this vision a reality.

Cyril Flores, President of Groupe BORDET

“We are very pleased to see the Carb’eau project selected by the INNOV’EAU call for projects, which recognises a strong partnership with Groupe BORDET and the CNRS, initiated in 2024, to develop a plant-based activated carbon produced in France, in order to meet the growing needs for the treatment of micropollutants in drinking water and wastewater, while protecting the environment. Delivering sustainable solutions to major environmental and societal challenges is the very essence of innovation at SUEZ. This project is a perfect illustration,” said Jérôme Bailly, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Research and Services.

Jérôme Bailly, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Research and Services (Photo: SUEZ)

Edwige Helmer-Laurent, Regional Delegate of the CNRS in the Centre-East region added, “The partnership between the ‘Bio-sourced Materials’ team at the Jean Lamour Institute (CNRS/University of the Lorraine region) and Groupe BORDET has enabled major scientific advances as well as industrial applications in the field of activated carbon. Building on this foundation, this new project with SUEZ, Carb’eau, opens new avenues in a field with very high societal stakes.”