GROUPE ATLANTIC & ecosystem join forces for the green transition

GROUPE ATLANTIC had the honor of being invited to the inauguration of France’s first facility dedicated to recycling end-of-life water heaters, in Le Vigeant (86)—a decisive step toward accelerating the industry’s ecological transition.

GROUPE ATLANTIC is a founding member ofecosystem, an accredited eco-organization responsible for the repair, reuse, decontamination, and recycling of end-of-life Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in France.

Since 2021, we have been collaborating on a project to decontaminate the insulating foam found in certain used water heaters. This foam contains gases that are harmless as long as they remain contained, but which become harmful to health and the environment once released. Hence the importance of treating them under strictly controlled conditions.

In 2024, ecosystem collected and processed 1.8 million units of equipment manufactured by the Group—a significant volume that reflects our market presence and our commitment to responsibility.

An Industrial Response to an Environmental Challenge

This long-term project culminated in the May 6 opening of France’s first facility dedicated to this type of treatment, located at the Vigeant site (Vienne).

A true global innovation, this facility marks a key milestone in the decarbonization of the water heater industry in France.

“ “We are proud to be part of this ambitious environmental project. Throughout the project, GROUPE ATLANTIC has contributed its market and product expertise and will also mobilize its installer and distributor customers to promote the return of end-of-life water heaters to the recycling partners involved in this virtuous initiative ” — said Isabelle SAVIDAN, CSR Group Director

🎯 Goal?
To recycle up to 15,000 metric tons of water heaters each year, while capturing the harmful gases still present in the insulation foam.

🌍Impact?
Up to 3.7 metric tons of CO₂ avoided per metric ton of treated product.

🚀 What’s next?

Alongside the opening of the pilot site in Le Vigeant, five other treatment facilities will be built in France by 2026. This rollout is part of a comprehensive investment program: 60 million euros committed by the operators Decons, Coolrec and Derichebourg, and 50 million euros invested by ecosystem to fund the cleanup efforts.

With this project, as the French market leader in water heaters, GROUPE ATLANTIC reaffirms its commitment to environmental protection by ensuring the responsible recycling of its end-of-life products through a certified recycling program.