Water

  • Objective of sustainable development strategy

    Strategic objectives:

    • Sustainable water management

    Operational objectives for 2023:

    • Implementation of the selected solution aimed at reducing industrial water consumption:
      • Implementation of pressure rinsing in Lubzina aimed at reducing industrial water consumption
      • Pilot installation of scrapers in tanks in Lubzina
    •  Implementation of a water consumption measurement and monitoring system, data collection, analysis of possible solutions, budget planning
    • No defined leaks

  • Objective of sustainable development strategy

    Achievement of objectives:

    • Reduction of industrial water consumption in Lubzina by 15%
    • Implementation of a water consumption measurement and monitoring system
    • No defined leaks

Due to the use of water in the production of paints (both as a component of products and in production-related processes), the Group uses significant amounts of it, but also monitors the consumption of this resource and takes measures to reduce it. Śnieżka uses water primarily for production and sanitary purposes. It is collected from water supply networks or wells (in the Rafil company) (the intake is selected taking into account the location of each branch).

Water Flow

Sniezka-Grafiki-23-EN_Water flow Sniezka-Grafiki-23-EN_Water flow

Compared to the previous year, water consumption (both for production and sanitary purposes) went down in 2023, which was the result of lower production capacity.  The exception were the branches of FFiL Śnieżka SA in Pustków and Lubzina, where rise was recorded In Ukraine, water consumption for sanitary purposes has returned to pre-war levels.

In 2023, no leaks were identified in the Group.

Municipal wastewater generated by the Śnieżka Group is transferred to wastewater treatment plants appropriate for the location of individual plants. During the reporting period, the amount of wastewater generated remained at a similar level as year before.

The Hungarian company Poli-Farbe has a permit to run an industrial wastewater treatment plant with the use of infiltration drainages and constantly monitors the quality of groundwater around the drainage system by periodically testing these waters.

Measures to reduce water consumption

Śnieżka SA consciously uses limited water resources, therefore it has taken measures to reduce their consumption both in the production process and water intended for social and living purposes.

The reduction in the use of production water began with the selection of places with the highest degree of its use and the potential for savings. The process of washing devices, tanks and systems in a plant producing colour paints was analysed. Measurement of water consumption for washing was initiated at the beginning and then changes were introduced in the process, such as pre-cleaning the elements by taking advantage of compressed air. Employees were subject to training in a standardized method of cleaning industrial systems.

The Company also saw possibility to reduce water consumption in pressure and automatic tank washing. Numerous trials and tests were carried out in this regard, but they did not bring satisfactory results, and therefore these activities were discontinued. Experimentally, „scrapers” were installed to reduce the amount of paint remaining on the walls of the tank after emptying it. Their installation contributed to easier and more economical cleaning of tanks and higher mixing efficiency.

In 2023, Śnieżka commenced work on the reuse of washings generated in the production process – i.e. waste from the group of slurry paints and varnishes, which are treated as liquid industrial waste. In 2023, installation designs were prepared along with the necessary equipment and software, a system for sequencing the production of individual colours was developed, and tests were performed using various methods of purification and treatment of washings. All these measures constitute a solid basis for further work towards closing the water cycle and reducing the amount of washings intended for disposal by an external entity (the washings are not discharged into the sewage system).

15%

this is the percentage of washings decreased in the Lubzina plant compared to 2022 due to the introduced innovations (2019.83 t in 2022 vs. 1,710.43 t in 2023)

~1000 m3/year

estimated water savings due to the installation of tap aerators in all sanitary and social rooms at FFiL Śnieżka SA, which reduces the water flow by up to 80%

The Company is aware of how important a role education plays in reducing the use of resources, which is why it ran the "Don't waste!" campaign. Its aim was to draw employees' attention to ecological and economic issues of water saving. Several ways were also introduced among grass-roots to reduce water consumption, including: reporting leaks in fittings, using a two-stage flush system in toilets or using available dishwashers in "eco" mode.

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