SearchWater
In 2022, water intensity decreased 0.5% from 2021, a result of a 4 million m³ reduction in absolute water coupled with a sharp increase in sales. Major contributors to the reduction in absolute water include multiple process optimization initiatives at ethylene-based Petrokemya Butene-1 plants that reduced steam consumption by 0.15 MMBtu per metric ton (equivalent to lowering the energy intensity by 3.5% compared to plant design).
In addition, our Teesside plant’s absolute raw water use decreased in 2022 compared to 2021 due to a combination of the site repairing substantial leaks from the cooling water system and potential metering errors from the site supplier and water provider. The cooling water system was in operation until June 2021 from which it was taken offline for repairs. The site is currently investigating the metering issue with the supplier to understand the potential impact.
| Water in m3 |
|
2021* | 2022* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financially consolidated | 100,509,077 | 95,714,798 | |
| 3.5 affiliates** | 16,079,841 | 16,982,482 | |
| TOTAL WATER | 116,588,918 | 112,697,280 |
*Assured by KPMG
**3.5 affiliates include Kemya, Sharq, Yanpet, and 50% SAMAC
Water Intensity
(m3/t Product Sales)
Last year, we increased the granularity of our environmental footprint reporting with the addition of water withdrawal, water discharge, and water consumption accounting across our manufacturing sites in accordance with GRI 303 Water & Effluents. In 2022, we filled the full CDP Water Security Questionnaire for the first time, earning a robust B- rating, up from a C rating the year prior.
| Water Overview SABIC 2022 |
|
Financially Consolidated Million m3 | Financially Consolidated + 3.5 affiliates** Million m3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater – groundwater | 9.2 | 9.2 | |
| Freshwater – surface water | 11.4 | 11.4 | |
| Third-party water – desalinated water | 52.5 | 69.5 | |
| Third-party water – groundwater | 7.5 | 7.5 | |
| Third-party water – produced water | 2.1 | 2.1 | |
| Third-party water – surface water | 12.1 | 13.1 | |
| Total freshwater withdrawal | 95.7 | 112.7 | |
| Freshwater discharge | 47.9 | 55.2 | |
| Total freshwater consumption | 47.8 | 57.5 | |
| Seawater withdrawal | 3,635.5 | 5,324.6 | |
| Seawater discharge | 3,500.7 | 5,166.4 | |
| Total seawater consumption | 134.9 | 158.2 | |
| Total SABIC water usage | 182.7 | 215.7 |
** 3.5 affiliates include Kemya, Sharq, Yanpet, and 50% SAMAC