Sustainable Water
Challenges and Commitments
GGC realizes that climate change, such as drought crisis, and the growth of the industrial sector which has caused increased demand for water supply have put the Company at significant risk of water shortage for the production process, both in terms of quality and quantity. This may lead to business disruption as well as affect the amount of water in surrounding communities. Therefore, GGC is determined to manage water within the organization with efficiency and sustainability throughout the value chain.
Key Stakeholders
Employee
Community
Shareholder, Investor and Analyst
Government
Supplier and Business Partner
Customer
Management Approach
Sustainable Water Management Guidelines GRI 303-1 (2018)
GGC has guidelines for water resource management in place within the organization, according to the 3Rs principle of reduce, reuse, and recycle wastewater through the treatment process.
Water Management Program
GGC has developed an action plan to enhance water management in the operations and effectively managed water withdrawal, water consumption and water discharge. By GGC focuses on reducing water consumption in operational process and increase the proportion of water reused of Clarified Water, Demineralized Water, and Boiler Water. The action plans include,
- Conducts annual water usage assessment to identify ways to improve water use efficiency
- Action to reduce water consumption through operational adjustment such as switching to equipment that can reduce water usage in operation, adjusting production ratios to decrease water use without affecting product quality and quantity and upgrading equipment to enhance water consumption efficiency
- Establish targets to reduce water use
- Utilize the water recycling application
- Conduct awareness training to all employees on water efficiency management programs
For more about the water management project for sustainability, see the 2023 Integrated Sustainability Report at Integrated Sustainability Report 2023
- Project to increase the efficiency of COD treatment in the wastewater treatment system by reducing COD in the aerated wastewater treatment system through water management planning and a test quarantine to maintain the wastewater treatment efficiency in the aerated wastewater treatment system. As a result, the system can maintain the efficiency of wastewater treatment at more than 90 percent.
- Increase Time for Backwash Side Steam Filter by customize backwash time. These project includes the adjustment of the operating time to reduce the flushing time and the use of Clarify Water. GGC has adjusted the washing time, resulting in the reduction of water usage by 228 cubic meters per hour
- Project to increase efficiency of wastewater treatment with Integrated Fixed Activated Sludge (IFAS) system by increases area for microorganisms for increase load and COD. These project increases efficiency of wastewater treatment and reduce cost that use for treat water
- Recycle cooling blowdown for use in mixing urea for wastewater treatment. These projects can reduce clarified water consumption and cost.
For details about performance data on water resource management, see Performance Data 2023
Water Risk Assessment GRI 303-1 (2018)
The Company assesses water risks for its operating locations in order to prepare for possible risks by using the WWF Water Risk Filer tool and Water Risk Atlas and information on water risk areas in Thailand that have been prepared by the Royal Irrigation Department. The Company also follows up on coping guidelines in the event that reducing the amount of water used in production in the industrial area of Rayong Province and Chonburi Province becomes necessary. The guidelines are then reported to the Company executives to determine a strategic plan for further action.
| Monthly sampling point / raw water quality analysis | |
|---|---|
| Rayong Province |
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| Chonburi Province |
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In addition, GGC cooperates with external agencies, such as PTT Group, Water War Room Working Group and the Federation of Thai Industries, on water management during situations of drought and closely monitor the water situation. This ensures that there is enough water to run the business without affecting the surrounding communities in these situations.
GGC annually conducts water risks assessment of future water quantities available and water quality-related, covering through value chain using WWF Water Risk Filer tool. Also, the dependency and impact related water risk is considered in this risk assessment. From the result show that GGC has no operation in water stressed area. Furthermore, GGC also uses WWF Water Risk Filter to assessment Water future regulatory change in the operation areas for developing a water usage strategy and enhance future decision-making capabilities. After considering and analyzing the assessment results of all three risk categories—physical risk, regulatory risk, and reputational risk, no production bases were identified as high risk in any of these categories.
Additionally, GGC regularly monitors water availability at the local level by reference from Royal Irrigation Department data. This ongoing effort is crucial for planning and mitigating any potential impacts on business operations. By closely tracking the water levels in various reservoirs, GGC ensures that their activities do not negatively affect local stakeholders. This proactive approach allows GGC to maintain a balance between their operational needs and environmental sustainability, fostering a positive relationship with the communities in which they operate.
Effluent Management GRI 303-2 (2018)
The Company has established an occupational health and environment (QSHEB) policy as a guideline for monitoring wastewater discharge throughout the production chain. In addition, the Company has a waste water management system that complies with legal requirements or regulations, such as the National Environmental Quality Act 1992 and regulations for wastewater discharge into the central wastewater treatment system in the industrial estates of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), and the prevention and mitigation measures specified in the Initial Environmental Examination. In addition, the Company has continuously improved its wastewater treatment system to ensure that the effluent quality meets the standards of the oleochemical industry. There are parameters to monitor the quality of effluent such as pH, temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), oils and fats, as well as heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), etc. Moreover, GGC has conducted the wastewater quality two times a day and report in the regular meetings in order to monitor the waste water amount and quality before releasing to the industrial estate’s wastewater treatment facility.
GGC has implemented a project to improve water and wastewater efficiency based on the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This initiative aims to decrease water usage and the amount of wastewater generated within the plant. Currently, GGC has undertaken the following projects to reduce water usage and wastewater:
Water Efficiency training
In accordance to ISO 145001, GGC has conducted environmental management training to all employees, in which water management is part of the curriculum. GGC focuses on raising awareness of water management within the organization to reduce water consumption and maximize its beneficial use. GGC has organized internal training on water management, using the 3Rs methods as the core of the training. The Curriculum includes
- Overview of existing water management policy in accordance to GGC’s QSHE Policy and ISO 145001
- How to apply the 3Rs principles to water management in the factory and the important of the Water Reduction, Reuse and Recycle in the workplace
- Introduction to the benefits derived from implementing water usage reduction projects