Integrated Report 2023

Water consumption

  • GRI 303-1
  • GRI 303-3

Water is one of the most valuable resources on the Earth, therefore, the Group companies treat water management in a responsible way.

Grupa KĘTY S.A. withdraws water from its own water intakes, i.e. from a well and from ground drainage.

The well supplies the drinking water system at the plant and is the main source of water for the employee amenities.

The basic source of water for production processes is the drainage system at the plant. Water is used based on the possessed water permit. With regard to chemical and heat treatment of aluminium, the company optimises its production processes and uses circulation systems.

Of key importance is the use of water originating from land drainage systems, which used to be lost irrecoverably, and also the closed-circuit circulation of cooling water used in the heat treatment processes related to aluminium melting and processing.

In 2023, the plant saved approximately 2 million m3 of water in that way.

Also in 2023, the Company implemented water consumption projects, which resulted in reduced consumption of underground waters by over 70,000 m3 compared to 2022.

 

The other Group companies do not have their own water intakes. Water is purchased from third-party suppliers on the basis of appropriate agreements.

Water is used for engineering and social purposes. Water consumption is monitored within the ISO 14001 system procedures.

The total consumption of water purchased from city mains increased by 3% compared with 2022.

Total water withdrawal in 2022 and 2023, by source

Capital Group Unit 2022 2023 Change y/y
Companies located in Poland
Underground water m3 197,952 125,674 -37%
Ground drainage m3 352,955 344,342 -2%
Municipal water supply system m3 155,143 159,544 3%
Other locations
Underground water m3 0 0
Ground drainage m3 0 0
Municipal water supply system m3 24,259 24,876 3%
Grupa KĘTY S.A. Unit 2022 2023 Change y/y
Underground water m3 197,952 125,674 -37%
Ground drainage m3 352,955 344,342 -2%
Municipal water supply system m3 0 0

Water reuse

With regard to the nature of production, water reuse in large quantities refers mainly to Grupa KĘTY S.A. and the companies of the Flexible Products Segment.

For that purpose closed circuits have been applied to recycle water. The effect is achieved by cooling and recirculation of water in heating processes. Closed-circuit systems allow for substantial savings.

In order to increase water recycling effectiveness at Grupa KĘTY S.A., a drainage system was installed at the roofs of the selected production halls, which is connected to a water return sump.

During rainfall water from the roof supplements the evaporated water and refreshes water in the closed circuit. In 2023, within the capital project of building new press lines hall, special retention basins of the total capacity of 750 m3 were installed, enabling intercepting and using storm water.

In this way Grupa KĘTY S.A. saved over 2.8 million m3 of water in 2023, which represents 6% increase y/y.

With regard to reduced production size by 7% y/y, the quantity of water recycled by the FPS companies dropped from 15.98 million m3 in 2022 to 15,35 million m3 in 2024 (4%) . Therefore, the total quantity of water reused by the Capital Group for cooling purposes decreased by 3% y/y.

Volume of water recycled and reused in 2022 and 2023

Capital Group Unit 2022 2023 Change y/y
Companies located in Poland
Volume of recycled water m3 thousands 18,629 18,155 -3%
Other locations
Volume of recycled water m3 thousands 0 0
Grupa KĘTY S.A. Unit 2022 r 2023 Change y/y
Volume of recycled water m3 thousands 2,649 2,801 +6%