SUEZ takes a stake in Optimatics, enhancing its digital solutions for water networks

SUEZ Ventures, the SUEZ Group venture capital fund, has announced that it is increasing its support for Optimatics growth through a capital increase alongside the existing shareholders, including cleantech fund manager Emerald Technology Ventures.

Founded in Australia and now headquartered in North America, Optimatics has been growing rapidly by commercialising its Optimizer digital technology. This technology is able to identify the most efficient scenario optimising the design of water and sewer networks. By integrating this technology, SUEZ will broaden its digital offer for efficient and resilient infrastructures to support its clients’ needs.

Driven by urban population growth and ageing water and sewer infrastructures, the extension and renewal of networks represent major investments for local authorities. Networks must be regularly maintained, replaced and managed in order to guarantee the operational and economic performances of infrastructures and associated services.

Optimatics has developed Optimizer, a digital solution generating the most effective combination of hydraulic equipment (reservoirs, pumps, pipes, etc) balanced between investment cost and infrastructure efficiency (flow, pressure, energy consumption). The Optimizer solution has been successfully commercialised as a stand-alone software since 2014, with already more than 50 implementations that supply over 75 million inhabitants: in Australia (Adelaide), the United States (Washington DC, Houston, Los Angeles, Denver) and France through a partnership concluded with SUEZ Consulting (Marseilles). The savings on infrastructure investments may exceed 20%.

“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Optimatics and to support the development of this young digital innovative company, which has developed efficient solutions that provide a rupture method compared to existing approaches. We are thus complementing the Aquadvanced offer, the group’s range of digital solutions dedicated to water services performance. We now have a unique offer to support our clients in optimising their hydraulic infrastructures, from designing a network to operating it throughout its lifetime. This partnership will speed up the deployment of these solutions on all our markets where resilient and efficient networks are a key element of development,” said Loïc Voisin, director of innovation, marketing and industrial performance at SUEZ Group.

“Optimatics is excited about this strengthened partnership with a world leader in water management. Combining Optimatics’ Optimizer software with the highly skilled engineers of SUEZ Consulting will enable utilities globally to avoid substantial, and often unnecessary, capital and operational expenditures. Integrating Optimizer in SUEZ’s digital offer will accelerate our growth in the coming years,” said Corey Williams, president and CEO of Optimatics.