Water treatment: caring for a precious resource
H2O—this simple formula represents our single most important source of sustenance. Without water, a person can last no longer than four days. Cognis was quick to recognize the need to treat water with the necessary respect. That’s why “avoidance instead of clean-up” is one of our 24 Principles.
The industrial process depends on water
Water is essential to countless products and production cycles, not just as an input material, but also as a coolant or as steam. It is also absolutely necessary for cleaning plants and equipment. At most Cognis facilities, such cleaning water is treated on site in high-performance clarification units before being allowed to flow into the public sewerage system or receiving streams. And many Cognis locations maintain strict water-saving regimes with a broad range of individual measures and activities. Sophisticated plans have been devised to reduce the quantities of water used in plant cleaning. In addition, switching from vacuum pumps to closed-circuit coolant systems has helped cut down water consumption.