Competition and Markets Authority investigates waste management merger

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating a merger between two waste management companies following complaints from customers.

Veolia and Suez, who merged on June 29 this year, are two of the largest suppliers of waste management services to councils and businesses in the UK.

The Competition and Markets Authority has subsequently received a number of complaints from customers and other market participants during its investigation and it has identified a number of competition concerns that could lead to councils paying higher prices, with a knock-on effect on taxpayers.

The transaction is being reviewed by a number of competition authorities globally. Both companies are active across the waste management supply chain from the collection of waste to the operation of facilities for composting and incineration and landfill sites.

The companies also supply water and wastewater management services to industrial customers.

In particular, the CMA is concerned that Veolia and Suez are two of only a small number of suppliers active within the UK that are able to service the largest and most complex waste management contracts with councils.

As a result, the merger could lead to higher prices and lower quality services across a range of waste management activities in the UK.

Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “Councils spend hundreds of millions of pounds on waste management services. Any loss of competition in this market could lead to higher prices for local authorities, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill, and reduced innovation to achieve Net Zero targets.

“Everyone in the UK uses waste and recycling services in some way, it is therefore vital that this deal is subject to more detailed scrutiny if our concerns aren’t addressed.

“The CMA also identified competition concerns in several water management markets, where insufficient competition after the merger could mean that industrial customers would also have to pay higher prices.

Andrea concluded: “Veolia and Suez now have 5 working days to submit proposals to address the CMA’s concerns. If suitable proposals are not submitted, the deal will be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation.”

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