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As we strive to prevent pollution, reduce emissions and conserve natural resources in our operations, one of our ambitious 2030 sustainability goals is to certify many more of our manufacturing sites as zero water discharge.
Opened in 1994, our site in Suchdol, Czech Republic, manufactures high-quality electrical components and enclosures for the Europe, Middle East and Africa market. The site meets rigorous performance targets for safety, quality, on-time delivery, inventory, and productivity; it has been recognized as an Eaton World Class Plant.
Inspired by our sustainability approach, our team in Suchdol, has invested in an innovative water recovery system. We were delighted to help fund this innovative project through our Eaton GreenUp Awards—set up to support the most impactful employee sustainability initiatives.
With the Czech Republic facing severe droughts, and a more environmentally-friendly paint shop coating process also increasing water consumption at our Suchdol site, our team was determined to reduce water waste.
The team first spent time defining their needs, the best water recovery technologies to use, and the right supplier to support them on this journey.
An essential first step was to update and replace the old waste water treatment system. This enabled the connection of a modern water recovery solution—consisting of an ultrafiltration unit, a reverse osmosis filter and an evaporation station.
Our team worked closely with their supplier to design a system that could meet the stringent water quality requirements in their operations. Water quality is of great importance in cleaning enclosures and cabinets prior to painting. Since paint acts as an insulator, any thin or unpainted areas caused by impure water can not only impact product quality, but even endanger operator safety if an electrical fault makes an enclosure live. Safety is our number one priority, so this was a critical issue to get right.
Following the installation of a new waste water treatment system in March 2021, the water recovery system at our site in Suchdol was completed in early 2022.
Fully operational, the system is able to recover 85% of all water used by Suchdol’s paint shop. With three stages of purification, the system is also able to meet the plant’s stringent water quality requirements.
Suchdol’s water recovery capabilities have greatly reduced the volume of chemicals needed for waste water treatment at the plant. Additionally, new automated capabilities like pH monitoring and chemical dispensing, have slashed waste water management time to just one hour a day. It’s a major win in terms of both time and cost-savings.
The team is now continuing regular water quality testing to ensure compliance with industry standards. The use of recovered water is steadily being ramped up in the paint shop so as not to endanger product quality or operator safety. The team will also continue optimizing the water recovery system in the future, for instance in the area of energy consumption.
Our team’s success in Suchdol reflects the active role we encourage all divisions, sites, and employees to play in driving sustainability, as well as our firm commitment to creating a better future for our planet and our fellow global citizens.
At Eaton, employee initiatives play a crucial role in helping us reach our ambitious 2030 sustainability targets. To recognize and support projects that enable environmental operational excellence, we launched the Eaton GreenUp Awards.
Our award categories span clean energy, transport, and building efficiency, as well as minimizing waste, water discharge reduction, and more. Our sites or divisions can enter investment proposals that will tangibly reduce our environmental footprint—and our winners receive the funding to turn their green ideas into reality.
