Using less more efficiently
Conserving Water
Water is precious and scarce in many parts of the world. Some 3.5 billion people could experience water scarcity by 2025 if action is not taken. We are cutting our water use rate, especially in regions facing higher water risks, and working towards zero impact.
We signed the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water mandate in 2012 and actively contribute to the UN SDG 6 – ‘Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.’
Water for Flavor & Fragrance Manufacturing
We use very little water to make our fragrances and flavors, which we supply to customers in concentrated formulas.
To ensure that our water discharge quality exceeds international and local regulations, we collect and report water discharge quality indicators required by law. Moreover, at all manufacturing sites, we assess the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of water released back into the environment, ensure that this number improves year-over-year, and set ourselves yearly improvement goals versus our baseline of 2017.
This year, we had no unplanned water discharges nor recorded significant spills.
Manufacturing Sites Water Management
By implementing local projects in our production sites, we aim to reduce total water consumption globally.
Brazil
An automated washing machine used to clean various process equipment will cut water use by 2,190m3 per year; representing 4% of local use. We are also investigating low-flow faucets and waterless appliances in our offices and labs.
China
Wastewater reclaim in our Shanghai facility will cut our local water consumption by 20,000m3, or about 15% of local water use. We are also analyzing potential impact of installing water saving or waterless fixtures in offices and labs.
South Africa
Rainwater harvesting in South Africa will reduce our local consumption in this water-stressed country by well over 50%.
Our Performance
Firmenich uses the WRI’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas and the Water Risk Filter from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to evaluate basin-related water risks and water use for all manufacturing and non-manufacturing sites.
Our water usage goes to a treatment plant or directly to the environment after onsite treatment. Whenever possible, and in accordance with local standards and national regulations, we reuse water to minimize our impact. No water bodies and related habitats are significantly affected by our water discharges and/or runoff.
Acting On Climate, Water And Waste
Urgent and concerted global action is needed to address climate change. We are acting to minimize our impact on climate change and aim to lead our industry towards zero carbon emissions.
