The Seine-Maritime prefecture has uncovered major inconsistencies in the way waste is handled by Valgo, a company specializing in the decontamination of industrial sites. According to the reports, the company knowingly buried mineral wool waste on the site of the former Petroplus refinery in Petit-Couronne, near Rouen, contradicting its earlier claims. The authorities, relying on reliable testimonies and soundings, confirmed the presence of these materials, mixed with hydrocarbons and other industrial residues. This incident is not Valgo’s first. In 2021, the company had already been fined 15,000 euros for using hazardous waste as backfill on the Grand-Paris metro construction site. In November 2023, the prefecture had already required Valgo to evacuate waste illegally buried on the former site of the Pétroplus refinery.
Financial consequences and penalties
This strategy enabled Valgo to complete the clean-up work and sell the land at a much higher price, generating over 10 million euros. In response, the prefecture fined Valgo 45,000 euros for irregular operation and 15,000 euros for inappropriate waste management. Valgo must now proceed with the extraction and disposal of the waste concerned.
Valgo’s response to the crisis
Valgo, via its communications department, announced that an internal investigation was underway to identify the causes of these unauthorized burials. The company insists that the buried materials are inert, similar to those used in residential construction, and is currently working on characterizing them for appropriate disposal.
This event underlines the importance of rigorous regulation and control in the pollution control sector. It encourages reflection on waste management practices and the responsibilities of companies in preserving the environment.
