Water is one of the most precious resources on our planet. With rising global populations and increasing industrialisation, the demand for fresh water has never been higher. Yet, the supply of clean, safe water remains limited. Climate change is only making this challenge more urgent, placing even more strain on natural water sources.
At Unilever, we believe protecting water is key to protecting the future. That is why we are committed to doing our part—reducing how much water we use, taking steps to reuse it where possible, and ensuring that our operations do not add to the problem. Through our water stewardship programmes, we work to mitigate water risks, reduce consumption, and promote sustainable water use across all operations.
Unilever's Global Commitment to Water Stewardship
As part of our journey to protect the planet, Unilever has set ambitious targets to ensure responsible water use. We believe that water is essential for a healthy society, environment and economy. Today, 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress – the gap between water availability and water use. By 2030, we aim to implement water stewardship programmes in the most water-stressed areas, contributing to local ecosystems and communities while enhancing our own operations. Our global strategy is rooted in ‘more with less’—continuously optimising manufacturing processes to reduce water use, waste, and pollution.
Water Stewardship at Unilever Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, water is fundamental to both everyday life and the environment. From farming and food production to health and flood management, water’s importance cannot be overstated. However, with growing concerns about groundwater overuse and industrial wastewater management, the need for sustainable water practices is more urgent than ever. At Unilever Bangladesh (UBL), we recognise the critical role we play in protecting water for future generations.
Our water stewardship journey began in 1998 when we installed our first wastewater treatment plant at the Kalurghat Factory (KGF), the largest production facility in Bangladesh. Since then, we have pioneered water-saving technologies such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Bio-Effluent Treatment Plant (Bio-ETP) to reuse wastewater in our operations and reduce our water consumption.
Reducing Water Consumption in Production
Water is vital in the manufacturing of consumer goods like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. At UBL, we have worked diligently to reduce our water usage across our production facilities. For example, in 2008, we would use approximately 5,400 litres of water per tonne of production. By 2022, we reduced this to 3,800 litres per tonne through optimised processes, saving over 2.2 billion litres of water since 2008. This saving is equivalent to meeting the drinking water needs of 62,000 households in the Kalurghat (Chattogram) area for ten years.
These efforts are just the beginning. Since 2022, we have continued to invest in more advanced water-saving initiatives, including the installation of water flow metres in all seven of our production zones. These metres provide real-time data, allowing us to detect and address water wastage promptly.
Rainwater Harvesting and Wastewater Recycling
To further enhance our water conservation efforts, we have increased our rainwater harvesting capacity by 20%, adding 8,000 square metres of harvesting area and a 10-tonne water storage tank. With these systems in place, we now use over 30,000 litres of rainwater annually in our production processes, accounting for 12% of our total water consumption.
We are also proud to be one of the pioneers in Bangladesh to use RO technology to recycle wastewater. Through our ETP and RO systems, we have successfully reused 40% of our treated wastewater for boiler steam feed. This initiative alone has allowed us to recycle over 1.056 billion litres of water.
Continuous Innovation in Water Management
At UBL, we are constantly seeking ways to improve our water management. In 2023, we upgraded our glycerine plant's vacuum pump, saving 15 tonnes of water daily. We also increased our condensate recovery capacity by 200%, allowing us to reuse 75% of the water required for cooling. By enhancing our RO productivity and modifying our water recycling routes, we ensured that more water could be reused in production.
Additionally, we have started recycling the water used in the Personal Product (PP) Homogeniser seal cooling system, reducing our groundwater usage by 3,000 tonnes annually. These improvements helped us achieve an 11% reduction in water consumption per tonne of production in 2023, bringing our total water savings to 2.8 billion litres since 2010.
A Commitment to the Future
Our water stewardship journey at UBL is far from over. By continuing to invest in innovative technologies and sustainable practices, we aim to further reduce our water footprint and contribute to a more resilient environment. With every litre saved, we are not just driving operational efficiency but also securing a sustainable future for the communities and ecosystems that depend on this vital resource.
At Unilever Bangladesh, our commitment to water stewardship is part of our broader vision to ensure that we can meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to thrive.