Water consumption

Grupa KĘTY S.A. withdraws water from its own water intakes, i.e. from a well and from ground drainage. The well is a source of drinking water for the plant and the main water source for employee amenities as well as fire protection purposes. Water for the production processes originates mainly from ground drainage at the plant. Water resources are used pursuant to the possessed water permit. Owing to the processes of chemical treatment of aluminium, the possible deficit of water resources is probably one of the potentially major risks. Therefore, the Company optimises production processes and circulation systems in order to responsibly use water resources. Of key importance in limiting the consumption of underground waters was the implementation of the water draining system to supply the plant. Earlier, the water drained at the plant was lost irrecoverably. The system of closecircuit water for cooling in heat processes related to melting and processing of aluminium has been extended. Thanks to that, in 2022, the plant saved 2.6 million cubic metres of water returned to the production process. In the years 2021/2022 water supply system had been repaired and several projects optimising water consumption in manufacturing processes were implemented. With simultaneous reduction of production size, this resulted in reducing water consumption intensity in the production processes compared to 2021 by as much as 25%. In the subsequent years, the Company plans the implementation of systems enabling collection and use of storm water from roofs, which will help to partially satisfy the needs related to future production at the plant.

The ASS and the FPS 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. At the ASS and the FPS projects are pending to reduce water consumption as a function of production size.

With regard to the nature of production, water reuse in large quantities refers mainly to the EPS and the FPS companies. 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. Only for the purpose of ensuring the quality of products, process water is discharged periodically and supplemented with fresh water. Further, in order to increase the total volume of recycled water at Grupa KĘTY S.A., common drainage system at the roofs of the selected production halls was installed, 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. The system of water supplementation and discharge has been automated. The aim of the companies is to increase the share of recycled water in total consumption.