Nestlé aims to further reduce water withdrawal per tonne of product by two fifths by 2015, compared to 2005.
At the beginning of last year, the factory, which makes chocolate, confectionery, milk and infant formula, was using 72 cubic metres of water per tonne of product. After introducing changes such as a water efficiency programme, and investing €1m, it has reduced this by 60% without increasing energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions.
“At the beginning, it was challenging to change the habits of the operators, who were used to working in a specific way,” said Ramon Montserrat, head of engineering and packaging services for the Iberian region. “We convinced them by explaining the project and why we care about saving water.”
The amount of water that the factory needs to operate, and therefore the amount of water withdrawn from the nearby River Pisueña, is now significantly lower.
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