The index we use to measure water usage shows the ratio of water used for each metric ton of feedstock crushed or processed. It is measured in cubic meters per metric ton (m³/MT).
We are pleased to report that in 2022 we recorded a year-on-year reduction of this index by 8.5%, and an overall reduction of 13.4% from our baseline 2018 figure, exceeding our target to reduce water consumption by 5% between 2018 and 2022.
Most of the 2022 reduction was driven by LDC-managed citrus farms in Brazil, where we saved over 3M m³ year on year, due in part to more consistent weather conditions versus 2021, but also to systematic implementation of sector best practices in irrigation, including the installation of a new, eco-efficient drip irrigation system.
Case Study
Improved Water Management in Alto Araguaia, Brazil
Acting continually toward increasingly sustainable operations, our Alto Araguaia soy crushing plant implemented significant improvements in its industrial effluent recycling process, with wastewater generated by industrial activities now used in the cooling tower.
The plant no longer draws water to use as a cooling agent and has become our first asset in Brazil to have zero wastewater, saving 110,000m3 in water usage for 2022 alone (with additional savings expected in the years ahead) and triggering action to reduce water consumption at other crushing plants. The plant also recorded zero waste sent to landfill in 2022 – a remarkable result in a year where the asset ran at full capacity and processed record soy volumes.
Targets
Reduce water consumption 1% year on year
Completion: 2022
Status: Complete
Reduce water consumption 1% year on year from 2018-2022
Completion: 2022
Status: Complete
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