Veolia, a resource management company, completed the acquisition of Suez, a French waste and water management company, for $26.3bn, including debt. "This agreement in principle gives us every chance of obtaining a global solution that would offer the essential social guarantees for all employees and prospects. I would like to thank all the SUEZ teams for their tremendous mobilization in implementing the SUEZ 2030 strategic plan, of which everyone can be proud. I know that I can count on them to remain focused in the coming months to ensure the best quality of service for our customers," Bertrand Camus, Suez CEO. On October 5, 2020, Veolia successfully acquired a 29.9% stake in Suez from Engie, a multinational electric utility company, for $4bn. On January 7th, 2021 Veolia offered to acquire a 70.1% stake in Suez, a French waste and water management company, for $9.6bn. On January 17, 2021, Suez received offer from investors Ardian and GIP valued at the same price as Veolia offer. On February 8, 2021, Nanterre Commercial Court has forbidden rival Veolia from making a hostile public offer filing after the latter announced its intention to do so having failed to persuade target's board. On February 17, 2021, EU regulators rebuff Suez's offer to censure the acquisition of Veolia. On February 8, 2021 Nanterre Commercial Court has forbidden Veolia from making a hostile public offer filing after the latter announced its intention to do so having failed to persuade target's board. On February 26, 2021, Suez board rejects Veolia's $26bn takeover offer. On March 21, 2021; Ardian and GIP negotiate an $18.8bn deal for Suez. On April 12, 2021 Veolia and Suez announced they agreed in principle on the price of $24.4 per Suez share. The two groups have agreed to enter into definitive merger agreements by May 14, 2021. On December 21, 2021 Britain's antitrust watchdog launched an in-depth probe into the deal after the participants did not offer concessions over its concerns.