Strong Q1 Financial Performance
Revenue of EUR 11,427 million (EUR 11.4bn), up 2.1% organic (constant scope & FX, excluding energy prices). EBITDA EUR 1,766 million, up 5.1% organic (5.8% including tuck-ins). EBITDA margin expanded by 73 bps to 15.5%. Current EBIT EUR 971 million, up 7.2% organic.
Improved Cash Generation and Controlled Balance Sheet
Net free cash flow improved by EUR 144 million versus Q1 2025. CapEx disciplined at EUR 860 million (down from >EUR 1bn prior year). Net financial debt EUR 20.8 billion (seasonally higher by ~EUR 1.1bn) with EUR 6.7 billion liquidity and 85% of debt fixed; ratings remain strong.
Geographic Momentum — U.S. and International Growth
Growth outside Europe +3.1% ( +5.3% including tuck-ins). U.S. growth stood out (management cited ~+7.5% at constant FX; Emmanuelle reported +5.2% / +7.5% including tuck-ins). Pacific region +8.1% (including Australia acquisition).
Business Mix Shift and Booster Performance
Strongholds (municipal water, solid waste, district heating) generated EUR 8.4bn, up 2.5% organic. Boosters (Water Tech, Hazardous Waste, Bioenergy) >EUR 3bn, up 2.2% including tuck-ins — would have grown ~4.6% excluding Water Tech project-signing delays. Strongholds + Boosters now represent ~30% of revenue, reflecting strategic shift to higher-growth, higher-margin activities.
M&A and Synergy Progress
Clean Earth (USD 3bn) acquisition: antitrust clearance and shareholder approval obtained; expected close mid-2026 and accretive to current net income from 2027 (before PPA). Water Tech bolt-on: EUR 1.5bn invested; 1/3 of planned EUR 90m synergies extracted (EUR 30m), including EUR 10m in Q1.
Operational Efficiency and Digital/AI Contribution
Delivered EUR 96 million of efficiencies in Q1, with EUR 62 million retained (higher-than-normal retention). Digital/AI accounted for 23% of recurring operational efficiencies in 2025; target to reach 50% by 2030. Management highlighted specific AI/digital tools (e.g., 'Talk to My Plants') driving plant productivity and cost-savings.
Strong Water Technology & Specialized Offers
Water Technologies (excluding projects) grew ~4.3% with notable EBITDA progression. New targeted offers for AI industries/data centers: revenue grew from USD 150m (2019) to USD 560m (2025), targeting ~USD 1bn by 2030. PFAS offering scaled from EUR 0 (2022) to EUR 259m (2025).
Guidance Confirmed
Management fully confirmed 2026 guidance: organic EBITDA growth 5–6% and current net income growth ~8% at constant FX (excluding Clean Earth). Clean Earth expected to be accretive to current net income from 2027 before PPA.