Water treatment plant at the Ternium Industrial Center in Brazil.
Established by the United Nations in 1992, World Water Day is celebrated on the 22nd of March every year to encourage debate on important issues related to this natural resource.
Reuse is a key term in Ternium's water management. The company has invested 23,5 million BRL in the last four years to expand effluent reuse. The volume of reuse liters increased by 120% in 2021, compared to 2018. The company currently reuses an average of 152 million liters per month, representing more than 50% of its total treated effluents. With the growth of reused water, Ternium avoids capturing water that is more suitable for industrial use, providing more efficiency in the use of water.
Reuse and Treatment of Water and Effluents
- On average, 98% of the water used in Ternium's operations is recycled through the cooling systems.
- 57% of the treated effluents are also reused at the Industrial Center.
- The company has two water treatment areas within the plant that treat the raw water collected to meet the needs of operations and human consumption. There is also another area for the treatment of all effluents generated in the complex.
Treatment Technology
Ternium is the first company in Latin America to use MBR technologies to treat steel and sanitary effluents. Membrane Bioreactors, also known for its acronym MBR, are the most advanced technology in effluent treatment, with high efficiency and various applications. It is a system where microporous membranes perform an ultrafiltration process.
Types of Water
Industrial water undergoes treatment and divides into six other types of water that supply Ternium Brazil. These are drinking water, industrial water, decalcified water, circulation water 1 and 2, demineralized water, and cold water.