Insights
As a global leader in water solutions and services, Ecolab remains dedicated to creating a more water-secure future through smart water management, conservation and stewardship. By 2030 we plan to continue to achieve a Net Positive Water Impact through:
- Reducing, recycling and replenishing water at operational sites. We aim to reduce water impact by 40% per unit production across our enterprise from a 2018 base year.
- Protecting local watersheds by working to restore greater than 50% of our absolute water withdrawal volume at high-risk sites.
- Delivering outcomes through the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by achieving AWS certification for Ecolab manufacturing sites located in high-risk watersheds.
Ecolab's manufacturing facility located in Suzano, Brazil, near São Paulo, Brazil, is a key contributor to these goals. The Suzano facility is a blend and reaction plant that primarily produces industrial water treatment chemicals. The Suzano facility sources groundwater from the Precambrian Aquifer and municipal water from the Alto Tietê Production System, a series of reservoirs along the Tietê River within the Alto Tietê River Basin. Drinking water is sourced from the Guarani Aquifer. Wastewater is sent to both municipal and industrial streams for treatment before discharging into the Tietê River.
The Suzano facility was identified as a priority location to pursue AWS Certification, enhance the site's smart water management approach and implement innovative technologies to advance enterprise water goals.
Actions
To contribute to Ecolab's enterprise water goals, the local team's objective is to reduce annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030. The following projects help improve the Suzano facility's water balance and have been implemented to reduce overall water use:
- Implementation of 3D TRASAR™ Technology for Cooling Water to provide advanced monitoring, control and asset protection of cooling water systems
- Optimization of process equipment washout processes
- Implementation of washing campaigns and washing matrix to reduce water use
- Water reuse in factory processes
- Installation of rotary cleaning heads, to reduce water consumption when washing tanks
- Sustainability workshops to capture new initiatives within strategic areas
- Utilization of a Total Plant Management program to create and maintain a cross-functional team tasked with identifying and addressing water losses across the plant through preventive maintenance and continuous improvement projects
Outcomes
Featured Solutions
Leveraging Ecolab solutions and digital technologies help the Suzano manufacturing facility reduce, reuse and recycle water.
To improve the overall health of local watersheds, and as part of Ecolab's efforts to create 2030 Positive Impact, we have prioritized AWS certification in high-risk watersheds in which we operate.
Good Water
Governance
Sustainable Water Balance
Good Water
Quality Status
Important Water-Related Areas
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash)
Water Stewardship Journey
Ecolab is committed to sustainable water use in our facilities and collaboration with other businesses at the local level. In alignment with Ecolab's commitment to a holistic approach to water management across its manufacturing facilities, in 2023, the company achieved Core Certification for Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Version 2.0 International Water Standard at its Suzano facility. The facility has continued to stay up to date on AWS requirements to uphold the core certification.
To identify shared water challenges in the Alto Tietê River Basin and surrounding region, a comprehensive risk assessment was performed leveraging insights from Ecolab's Smart Water Navigator and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct Atlas to identify shared and site-level water challenges. Implementation of water withdrawal reduction projects were prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
Ecolab's water stewardship approach aims to make a positive impact within our operations and within the communities in which we operate. For the Suzano facility and local stakeholders the top water-related challenges include water scarcity, water quality and the physical water risk of flooding as well as access to clean water and inefficient water management.
To effectively address these challenges, Ecolab's strong water stewardship approach strives for continuous improvement in sustainable site water balance and water quality. Our holistic approach includes a focus on important water-related areas (IWRA) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and our continued progress across all these critical areas depends on our strong water governance.
Using the Ecolab Smart Water Navigator to quantify the progress made against the five AWS outcomes, the Suzano site is considered Water-Smart on the Water Maturity Curve. The Water Maturity Curve illustrates the quantified state of a site's water strategy and management plan. A facility's place on the curve is determined by a set of criteria that includes governance and strategy, target setting, water management practices and water stewardship. The criteria incorporate principles consistent with the five outcomes of the AWS framework, both emphasizing that strong water management includes continuous improvement and collaboration inside and outside the facility's operations.