#par-1621
#par-1611

 

Over 90% of the water is used for cooling purposes and does not come in contact with the products. The cooling systems operate in a closed loop to minimise water use. 

#par-3851
#par-1636
#par-1626

From 1998 to 2021, we have managed to reduce water consumption by 69% on a comparable basis. 

This has been achieved by our plants thanks to specific action plans to reduce consumption, together with vigorous programmes to trace leaks. 

#par-5791
Water consumption
Fig. 13. Water consumption. Index 1998 = 100 on comparable basis
#par-5786

In some cases specific pollution of the industrial waste water could occur. For instance, in the production of mirrors, glass etching or enamelling, emission of products such as metals, acids, pigments, etc. can take place. Although these plants are equipped with waste water treatment installations, primary measures to avoid end-of-pipe treatment are preferred.

#par-1651
#par-2516

Storm water recovery in AGC Interpane Seingbouse float plant

Our Seingbouse plant (France) invested in a 9,000 m³ storm water basin in order to avoid on-site water runoff with too much water going to the municipal waste water treatment plant. 
   
Additionally, this provides a source of non-drinking water which is used in the production process after being treated on site. More than two thirds of the water consumption used for the production process comes from rainwater. In freezing weather during winter or when there is not enough rainwater, the drinking water supply is used as a backup system. 

#par-1656
#par-1661
#par-2521

A small investment in water production contributes to environmental improvement

Our AGC Sagunto plant, located in Valencia (Spain), is faced with particular local water supply constraints. The site has therefore adapted its reverse osmosis installation, used to produce process water, by installating a by-pass valve at the end of the installation to recover half of the water which would otherwise be discarded. 
A simple solution which saves about 10,500 m³ of water per year and which is easily replicable to other sites!