The European Commission has authorized the creation by Group Suez's subsidiary Ondeo and RWE's Thames Water of an online electronic exchange for the water industry. The provisionally called Water Portal will enable companies in water-related industries to reduce their procurement costs, namely by calling in bids from a wide range of suppliers. The Water Portal is a new entrant and will face competition from other water-related market places as well as from traditional procurement methods. The two companies have proposed to create a "Water Portal" to offer services including electronic procurement, information and bid management services to companies active in water-related sectors.

Source: EC, 28 Jun 2002