Efficient use of water part of Audi’s Mission: Zero environmental program

KUALA LUMPUR: Water is a valuable natural resource that should be handled and used with the utmost care. It’s been estimated that around 2.2 billion people around the world do not have access to clean water. Furthermore, as per a UN report, the demand for clean drinking water is estimated to be increased by 55% by 2050. Talking about the automotive sector, water is used in production activities like leak tests and paint shops.

Being mindful of the scarce resource, Audi in its Mission: Zero environmental programs has included efficient and economical use of water as a key aspect. It plans to minimise and even stop (in the future) the usage of drinking water in vehicle production. To achieve this goal, Audi plans to implement efficient processes and closed water cycles. It will also increase the use of rainwater.

“Our aim is to drastically reduce our freshwater consumption and cut the water consumption per produced vehicle in half by 2035. Where possible, we are already using recycled water that has been used multiple times in the cycle and treated. Our vision is to have closed water cycles at all our production sites," said Audi Board Member for Production and Logistics, Peter Kossler.

How Audi plans to cut water consumption?

Firstly, the automaker plans to use site-specific water value that keeps a track of water withdrawal as per regional availability.

Audi Mexico is the first in the race of economic use of water. It is the first production facility in the world to manufacture vehicles without any wastewater. The wastewater generated in production is sent to a biological treatment facility that purifies it and sends it back into the plant's water cycle. The treated water is then used as service water in production and green spaces.

Besides, by 2025 the Audi Neckarsulm site will have a closed water cycle that will be placed between the facility and municipal treatment unit. The quality of the treated water is checked as well via laboratory analysis that determines the properties of the water every two weeks. If the quality is fine, the construction of the new facility will commence in 2022.

Further, at Audi Mexico and other sites, the automaker uses rainwater retention basins to meet water demands in the most efficient manner. These reservoirs fill up during the rainy season that lasts for a few months depending on the reservoir capacity.

A great and thoughtful initiative by Audi we must say that others in the field can learn a lot from it.

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