Veolia Acquires Chameleon Industries to Advance Circular Economy Solutions for the Semiconductor Industry Across North America
Veolia North America, a recognized leader in delivering integrated environmental services, has officially completed the acquisition of Chameleon Industries, a Texas-based manufacturer specializing in specialty chemical solutions. The acquisition marks a significant strategic milestone in Veolia’s ongoing commitment to expanding its circular economy initiatives, particularly in the rapidly evolving semiconductor manufacturing sector in North America.
Chameleon Industries is renowned for its proprietary chemical technologies that convert byproducts from semiconductor manufacturing processes into valuable products. These innovative technologies align with the principles of a circular economy by transforming what would traditionally be considered industrial waste into usable materials, thus reducing environmental impact while promoting resource efficiency. With this acquisition, Veolia is poised to enhance its already robust portfolio of sustainable environmental and infrastructure services for advanced manufacturing industries.
Strategic Growth Through Circular Innovation
The acquisition supports Veolia’s Green Up strategic plan, which focuses on accelerating ecological transformation by fostering sustainability and innovation in resource management. This plan includes initiatives designed to decarbonize operations, eliminate pollution, and enhance the circular economy through partnerships, technological investment, and operational excellence.
Chameleon Industries, which operates four key production facilities across Texas, Oregon, and Arizona, is a strategic addition to this mission. These facilities are located in regions with a high concentration of semiconductor manufacturers, positioning Veolia to deliver localized, scalable, and effective environmental solutions tailored to the microelectronics industry.
By recovering and reusing byproducts from semiconductor fabrication, Chameleon not only reduces waste sent to landfills but also provides manufacturers with cost-effective, environmentally responsible alternatives to virgin raw materials. This approach delivers a dual benefit—improving operational efficiency while contributing to the broader goal of environmental stewardship.
Executive Insights: Strengthening Industry Partnerships
In announcing the acquisition, Bob Cappadona, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services business, expressed strong optimism about the integration of Chameleon into the Veolia family.
“We are thrilled for Chameleon to join Veolia through this acquisition,” said Cappadona. “As part of our Green Up strategy, adding this critical circular economy technology to our wide portfolio of environmental and infrastructure solutions helps expand our capabilities for customers and play an important role in the growth of America’s technology sector. The team at Chameleon is a great strategic and cultural fit for our growing business in North America.”
Veolia’s leadership believes that the integration will not only strengthen existing partnerships but also foster new collaborations with technology leaders who are seeking sustainable growth. In particular, the acquisition is expected to enhance Veolia’s footprint in the high-tech corridor, where demand for advanced environmental services is increasing due to stricter regulations, higher sustainability expectations, and a push for domestic semiconductor production.
Expanding Capabilities and National Footprint
This acquisition significantly boosts Veolia’s presence in North America. Post-acquisition, the company will now employ more than 2,300 employees at over 200 operational sites across the United States. Veolia’s workforce serves a wide array of industries—including technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, petrochemicals, and agricultural chemicals—with tailored environmental solutions that prioritize safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Veolia’s North American operations already provide a comprehensive suite of services including waste collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal. The integration of Chameleon’s capabilities will enable the group to expand its offerings to include advanced chemical recovery solutions specific to the semiconductor sector, a market expected to see substantial growth over the next decade due to increased demand for microchips in everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and smart infrastructure.
Moreover, Veolia’s network of innovation centers and R&D facilities will now have access to Chameleon’s specialized knowledge and technologies, further strengthening the company’s ability to develop novel solutions for complex environmental challenges. These could include innovations in solvent recycling, wastewater treatment, and the repurposing of rare or hazardous materials used in semiconductor manufacturing.
A Shared Vision for Long-Term Growth
Chameleon Industries CEO Jared Garza echoed Cappadona’s sentiments and highlighted the strategic alignment between the two companies.
By joining Veolia’s global network of chemical recovery and environmental service operations, Chameleon will be able to better serve our customers, grow our business for the long term and provide opportunities for our people,” said Garza. “Veolia is already an established environmental leader in the microelectronics industry, and will allow us to bring our technology to a broader segment of the industry.”
Chameleon brings to Veolia a strong track record of innovation, quality, and customer service. Its facilities operate under strict environmental, health, and safety standards, and the company has cultivated strong partnerships with leading semiconductor manufacturers. This emphasis on safety, compliance, and environmental integrity mirrors Veolia’s operational values, ensuring a smooth and synergistic integration process.
Enabling a More Sustainable Tech Future
As the global demand for semiconductors continues to surge—driven by rapid technological innovation, geopolitical shifts, and supply chain localization efforts—there is growing scrutiny on the environmental footprint of chip production. Semiconductor manufacturing is resource-intensive, consuming large quantities of water, energy, and chemicals. Veolia’s acquisition of Chameleon positions the company to offer turnkey solutions that address these challenges and support the transition toward more sustainable production models.
Through the application of circular economy principles, Veolia and Chameleon aim to reduce dependency on virgin materials, minimize waste, and support manufacturers in meeting their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. This strategic move underscores Veolia’s belief that environmental performance and industrial performance are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary objectives.
