Top Biz News

Reducing water use at plants

By Li Fangfang (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-21 07:48
Large Medium Small

As a water-consuming manufacturer, AB-InBev, the world's largest brewer, is continuously involved in reducing water use at its plants.

"It's not about being nice, becoming tree huggers or saving the world. It is about being pragmatic, staying in tune with the world around us and thereby safeguarding and growing our business," said Carlos Brito, CEO of AB-InBev.

"It means that we are committed to doing the right things both internally and externally to enable us to achieve sustainable growth and profitability."

In China, the Belgium company said it wants to cut water consumption by 33 percent within the next three years.

"We will cut our water consumption to produce each ton of beer from 5.66 tons to 3.75 tons by the end of 2012," said Wang Renrong, vice president of AB-InBev Asia Pacific.

By comparison, China's brew and beverage industry on average consumes 8 to 9 tons of water for each ton of beer produced.

Wang said AB-InBev will optimize the equipment and production process, and also focus on recycling.

The company has reduced water consumption by 9 percent since 2007 in China. The total saved water is the equivalent of what 20,000 Chinese families would use for one year, the company said.

Related readings:
Reducing water use at plants ABInBev sells down stake in Tsingtao
Reducing water use at plants Water price could rise 24 percent
Reducing water use at plants Govt invest 13b to fight water pollution
Reducing water use at plants China continues to improve water supply in the west

AB-InBev also reduced electricity consumption by 6.2 percent within one year, the equivalent of enough power for 50,000 families to use in one year.

AB-InBev in the past year also has reduced its emissions of carbon dioxide by 75,000 tons and its sulfur dioxide emissions by 1,600 tons at its more than 30 breweries across China.

The company each year invites all employees to participate in Energy Saving Day and Environment Day activities.

In 2009, more than 80 percent of AB-InBev breweries in China conducted energy-saving and equipment optimization initiatives during Energy Saving Day, saving 7.57 million yuan in total.

AB-InBev also financed a recent expedition to survey and research water resources in West China.