Another way of using the valuable resource water efficiently
is to recycle it for other processes with the aid of so-called
water ring pumps. ACTEGA in Foshan (used as cooling water;
drinking water savings: 450 m³) and ECKART in Pori (used to
produce deionized water; drinking water savings: 16,000 m³)
deployed this procedure.
In the previous year, we already reported on a pilot
project (“Zero Discharge”) at the ELANTAS site in Ankleshwar,
India. In 2019, this project was advanced further. Through
these and other measures, the amount of drinking water consumed
could be reduced by approximately 5,000 m³.
Further Waste Management Improvement
Chemical processes generate waste and wastewater, which
mainly affects production sites. ALTANA aims to avoid or
reduce wastewater and waste and thus minimize the negative
effects on people and the environment, among other
things by using suitable raw materials and cleaning agents.
Through the use of an alternative solvent, for example,
ECKART reduced hazardous waste at its Louisville site by 60
tons per year.
By optimizing individual manufacturing steps and cleaning
processes, for example, the amount of waste at the
Güntersthal (ECKART) and Cerquilho (ELANTAS) sites was
reduced by more than 30 tons.
The ECKART site in Painesville also contributed to the
reduction of waste volumes by means of several measures.
The installation of new mixers led to an improvement in
the manufacturing processes. In addition, operation of this
equipment is more ergonomic and safer than before.
Emissions Further Reduced
In addition to the greenhouse gas CO², which mainly arises
during the combustion of fossil fuels, volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) also contribute to emissions. ALTANA aims to
continue keeping these emissions as low as possible in the
future. To achieve this goal, various technical options are available
at many sites. Further measures to reduce emissions
were implemented in the year under review.
For example, the installation of new pumps with magnetic
coupling at the ELANTAS site in Ascoli Piceno eliminated
diffuse emission sources.
ACTEGA achieved a significant reduction of emissions in
production by installing new sealing rings on mixing vessels
at its Lincolnton site.
92 Environment