Our history
150 years of waste collection innovation. Impact that lasts.
From pioneering waste collection to the SULO Group of today.
SULO Group brings together more than 150 years of industrial heritage, innovation and expertise. Our story has roots in France, Germany and the Nordics, where pioneering ideas changed the way waste was collected, handled and compacted.
Since 2018, this heritage has come together within SULO Group – connecting established brands, specialist expertise and local market knowledge.
The roots
150 years shaping waste collection, efficiency and circular progress.
For more than 150 years, the heritage behind SULO Group has helped shape the way waste is collected and handled. What began with organised household waste collection evolved through industrial manufacturing, new approaches to collection and a growing focus on efficiency and better working conditions.
These early developments in France, Germany and the Nordics laid the foundations for the companies that would later come together within SULO Group.
Pioneering ideas that shaped our heritage.
The beginnings of organised waste collection
Household waste collection begins in Lyon, marking the earliest roots of SULO Group’s French heritage and an early step in the development of organised waste collection.
Industrial roots in Germany
SULO Group’s German industrial heritage dates back to 1892, marking the beginning of more than a century of expertise in manufacturing solutions for waste collection.
A new approach to waste collection
Swedish paper companies join forces to develop the Sanitary Sac, a strong disposable paper sack designed for household waste collection. By replacing heavy metal bins, the system significantly improves working conditions for collection crews and lays the foundations for San Sac.
The story behind the name
Two names. One global brand.
The story of the SULO name begins with Fritz Streuber, who founded a metalworking company in Westphalia in 1892. After the company moved to Herford, Walter Lohmann joined the business in 1929, forming Streuber und Lohmann Eisenwerke.
Their names – Streuber Und Lohmann – were combined to create a new name: SULO. On 16 December 1936, SULO was officially registered as a trademark in Germany. From these four letters grew one of the world’s most recognised names in waste collection – and the brand at the heart of SULO Group today.
Timeline
Moments that shaped the industry.
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1971 · Orwak
Compaction transforms waste logistics
Orwak introduced waste compaction systems, enabling significant volume reduction, optimised transport and more efficient waste logistics within modern collection systems.
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1972 · Innovation
The 2-wheel bin redefines mobility and safety
The introduction of the patented 2-wheeled waste container established a new standard for safe handling, mobility and efficiency in municipal waste collection and containerisation.
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1990 · Digitalisation
Data-driven waste management begins
Through Envicomp, early identification and weighing technologies brought digital data into waste collection, enabling new approaches to identification, billing and operational efficiency.
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1991 · Molok
Semi-underground systems reshape urban collection
Molok introduced semi-underground waste collection systems, improving hygiene, space efficiency and urban integration – particularly in high-density environments and modern pre-collection systems.
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1994 · Underground
Waste collection moves underground
Fully underground waste collection systems were co-developed and introduced in France, freeing up public space and improving hygiene and urban integration in city centres.
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1995 · Circular materials
Recycled materials enter waste container production
The use of recycled materials in bin production marked an important step towards reducing virgin material use and advancing more circular manufacturing.
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2007 · Joining forces
Stronger together across Europe
Plastic Omnium acquired SULO, combining two established waste container businesses and further strengthening market positions across European markets.
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2012 · Eco-design
Circular design becomes the standard
A new generation of wheelie bins was developed and introduced with circular economy principles built in across the entire product lifecycle – manufactured with up to 100% recycled plastic.
Building SULO Group
From industry-shaping innovation to strategic growth.
The expertise built over more than a century created a strong foundation for the next chapter of SULO Group. Since its formation in 2018, the Group has combined established market positions with targeted acquisitions to expand its capabilities, strengthen its presence in key markets and create new opportunities for growth.
This development has been deliberately complementary: strengthening compaction, services and market presence in the Nordics, adding digital technologies and semi-underground waste collection, and establishing a stronger platform for future growth in the Middle East.
COMPLEMENTARY CAPABILITIES
Complementing the Group’s core with additional expertise.
STRONGER MARKET POSITIONS
Building scale and strengthening SULO Group’s presence in key markets.
NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Creating platforms for future international growth.
2018
The SULO Group platform takes shape
Following the carve-out of Plastic Omnium’s Environment business, SULO Group was established as an independent group, bringing together industrial expertise, established market positions and capabilities in waste collection infrastructure.
2019
Nordic expertise and compaction join the Group
The acquisition of San Sac Group significantly strengthened SULO Group’s presence in the Nordics and added specialist expertise in compaction, waste collection solutions, services and trading.
2023
Digital capabilities expand
The integration of INOVIM strengthened SULO Group’s capabilities in digital waste management solutions and data-driven services, while expanding its market presence in Benelux.
2023
Services strengthen in France
The acquisition of Delphi Environnement strengthened the service and maintenance capabilities of SULO France. The company has been fully integrated into SULO France.
2023
Semi-underground collection joins the portfolio
The integration of Molok brought a pioneer in semi-underground waste collection into SULO Group, complementing the waste collection infrastructure portfolio and strengthening its position in the Nordics.
2023
B2B business grows in France
The acquisition of Collvert and Challenv expanded SULO Group’s B2B capabilities in France, enriching the B2B business of SULO France.
2025
Expanding in the Middle East
The acquisition of German Distribution in Dubai established a stronger platform for SULO Group in the Middle East. More than 20 years of regional experience, established customer relationships and local market knowledge complement the Group’s broader capabilities and create a foundation for further growth in the region.
2025
Services expand in Northern Europe
The acquisition of JOCA A/S strengthened SULO Group’s services capabilities and waste collection infrastructure business in Northern Europe, further complementing the Group’s presence in the Nordic markets.
FAQ
History at a glance.
What does the name SULO stand for?
SULO combines the names of the founders of Streuber und Lohmann Eisenwerke in Herford, Germany. The SULO trademark was registered on 16 December 1936.
When was SULO Group formed?
SULO Group was formed in 2018, when the Environment business of Plastic Omnium was carved out as an independent group.
Which local companies are part of SULO Group?
Across its seven Business Units, SULO Group works with local specialists – among them Collvert and Challenv in France, INOVIM and TWS in Benelux, SanSac, ILAB, JOCA-Rubaek, EnviroPac and Molok Finland in the Nordics, German Distribution – Powerbear in the Middle East, and ATS-Orwak, Sacria and SAVN in compaction.
Legacy today
150 years of heritage. Built for what comes next.
Today, SULO Group brings together more than 150 years of industrial heritage with capabilities spanning waste collection infrastructure, compaction, digital technologies and services. What developed through generations of pioneering ideas and industry-shaping solutions has become a diversified international Group with strong positions across markets.
The expansion since 2018 has added complementary expertise and strengthened SULO Group’s geographic reach – creating a broader foundation for the Group’s next phase of growth.