Integrated Report 2023

Wastewater management

  • GRI 303-4

At the Capital Group companies process and sanitary wastewater originates. Supervision and monitoring of the wastewater production and discharge limits its negative impact on the environment and potential risks. Special supervision focuses on wastewater originating in the aluminium chemical treatment processes.

At the EPS, Grupa KĘTY S.A. and its subsidiary AK EMMI discharge wastewater directly to surface waters. At the ASS, the same situation refers to the plant in Złotów.

Security measures have been taken at the companies to prevent the possible spills. The wastewater is discharged based on a water permit possessed.

The quality of the discharged wastewater is tested at regular intervals by accredited laboratories. The permit conditions have been met. The treatment systems are fit with specially-designed pre-treatment solutions serving neutralisation of specific types of wastewater.

In 2023 the electroplating shop at the Złotów plant was shut down, which resulted in a significant reduction of wastewater discharged and improvement of wastewater quality.

The other companies of the ASS as well as the FPS companies discharge wastewater after pre-treatment solely to the sewer systems of third-party companies.

In 2023, the quantity of wastewater discharged to sewer systems by the domestic companies increased. It resulted from a larger quantity of storm water discharged by Grupa KĘTY, for example from the areas of new investment projects, such as profiles extrusion press line hall or the logistics centre. The plant obtained a separate water permit in that scope in order to discharge the wastewater to the Młynówka Czaniecka river.

The total quantity of wastewater discharged by the Capital Group companies to the sewer systems of third-party companies grew by 10% compared with 2022, owing to the discharge from new powder coating facilities at the plant in Bielsko-Biała.

In 2023, no excesses were recorded at companies discharging wastewater to surface waters.

The objective for all companies of the Capital Group is to maintain wastewater parameters at the lowest possible level, and optimise production processes with regard to wastewater origination.

Wastewater discharge in 2022 and 2023, by destination

Capital Group Unit 2022 2023 Change y/y
Companies located in Poland
To public sewer system m3 thousands p.a. 135 149 10%

–  including wastewater from chemical treatment of aluminium

m3 thousands p.a. 65 83 28%
To surface waters m3 thousands p.a. 653 788 21%

–  including wastewater from chemical treatment of aluminium

m3 thousands p.a. 325 354 9%
Other locations
To public sewer system m3 thousands p.a. 3.82 3.06 -20%
To surface waters m3 thousands p.a. 15.8 15.3 -3%
Grupa KĘTY S.A. Unit 2022 2023 Change y/y
To public sewer system m3 thousands p.a. 17 17 -1%
To surface waters m3 thousands p.a. 621 773 24%

–  including wastewater from chemical treatment of aluminium

m3 thousands p.a. 304 345 13%