Advancing water stewardship
General information
Water is fundamental to our operations and the communities where we operate. We recognize our responsibility to use this vital resource wisely and return it safely to the environment. Covestro utilized roughly 250 million cubic meters of total water withdrawal in 2025, primarily sourced from surface water and external suppliers. The company's sustainable operations are reflected in its water usage pattern, where around 80% is returned unpolluted to its original source (cooling water). Of the water used in our production, 10% requires treatment before discharge, while the remainder can be safely returned to water sources without additional treatment (e.g., surface water). A small amount is consumed in production.
Further, the company maintains internal recycling and reuse processes, optimizing water consumption across operations. In 2023, Covestro launched a context-based Water Program specifically focusing on sites that are currently located in water stress areas – regions characterized by high competition for water resources – or could be located in such areas in the future, to strengthen strategic water management and long-term operational resilience. This strategic initiative goes beyond basic water risk assessment by analyzing the interactions between each site and its local watershed to identify specific risks and opportunities. It addresses direct and long-term water-related challenges including water scarcity and pollution, leading to the development of customized medium- and long-term action plans with local water-related targets (see Annual Report). With only 7% of total withdrawal occurring in water stress areas, risk exposure remains limited.
Our water stewardship strategy drives technological innovation and industrial competitiveness. Through advanced water treatment, recycling, and reuse technologies, we support regional economic development while protecting this vital resource for future generations.
Water reuse in scarcity areas
Our Tarragona site exemplifies the innovative water solutions we're piloting at selected production facilities. We recognize that water availability varies significantly across our operating regions and adapt our strategies accordingly. In Tarragona, innovation meets responsibility in water-scarce environments. Reclaimed water is sourced from neighboring cities, transforming treated household wastewater into high-quality industrial water. This sustainable solution supplies over 50% of our MDA-MDI plant's water needs. Combined with rainwater collection and water-saving cooling loops, this circular approach significantly reduces our freshwater consumption and sets a new standard for water stewardship in industrial operations.
Water treatment
We're committed to responsible water management through innovative reuse and recycling technologies in compliance with local water regulations and environmental standards. Our approach includes closed cooling water circuits, treated wastewater reutilization, and reintroduction of steam condensates as process water. In 2025, we reused 324 million cubic meters of water through these methods.
Most of our water use consists of continuous flow cooling water, which is only heated during our processes and doesn't come into contact with reaction materials or products. This allows us to return it to the water cycle without additional treatment.
Closing the loop on salt and water by advancing technology
Our polymer production generates saline process water as a byproduct. For years, we've developed innovative processes to recycle these brines back into chlor-alkaline electrolysis, creating a closed loop for both salt and water. Following our pilot plant success in Krefeld-Uerdingen in 2016, we've continuously optimized the process and now target recycling up to 30,000 tonnes of salt per year and over 350,000 cubic meters of desalinated water. Our similar plant in Caojing recycles more than 20,000 tons of salt annually. Both plants reduce equivalent amounts of saline wastewater released into water bodies.
This technology drives our ongoing research to increase salt concentration in recycled brines. Through our partnerships in the Re-Salt and RIKovery projects – funded by Germany's Ministry of Education and Research – we've reduced energy demand by approximately 45% compared to conventional concentration technologies. We continue advancing this innovative process toward practical implementation.
