Published January 2023 | Updated September 2025
Ecolab Suzano, Brazil, Plant
Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Case Study
Insights
As a global leader in water solutions and services, Ecolab remains dedicated to creating a more water-secure future through smart water management, conservation and stewardship. By 2030 we plan to continue to achieve a Net Positive Water Impact through:
- Reducing, recycling and replenishing water at operational sites. We aim to reduce water impact by 40% per unit production across our enterprise from a 2018 base year.
- Protecting local watersheds by working to restore greater than 50% of our absolute water withdrawal volume at high-risk sites.
- Delivering outcomes through the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard by achieving AWS certification for Ecolab manufacturing sites located in high-risk watersheds.
Ecolab’s manufacturing facility located in Suzano, Brazil, near São Paulo, Brazil, is a key contributor to these goals. The Suzano facility is a blend and reaction plant that primarily produces industrial water treatment chemicals. The Suzano facility sources groundwater from the Precambrian Aquifer and municipal water from the Alto Tietê Production System, a series of reservoirs along the Tietê River within the Alto Tietê River Basin. Drinking water is sourced from the Guarani Aquifer. Wastewater is sent to both municipal and industrial streams for treatment before discharging into the Tietê River.
The Suzano facility was identified as a priority location to pursue AWS Certification, enhance the site's smart water management approach and implement innovative technologies to advance enterprise water goals.
Actions
To contribute to Ecolab’s enterprise water goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030. The following projects help improve the Suzano facility’s water balance and have been implemented to reduce overall water use:
- Implementation of 3D TRASAR™ Technology for Cooling Water to provide advanced monitoring, control and asset protection of cooling water systems
- Optimization of process equipment washout processes
- Implementation of washing campaigns and washing matrix to reduce water use
- Water reuse in factory processes
- Installation of rotary cleaning heads, to reduce water consumption when washing tanks
- Sustainability workshops to capture new initiatives within strategic areas
- Utilization of a Total Plant Management program to create and maintain a cross-functional team tasked with identifying and addressing water losses across the plant through preventive maintenance and continuous improvement projec
Outcomes
As a result of these actions, the Suzano site achieved savings in water and energy use. The improvements made at the site have proved to be a helpful step forward for enhancing the site’s operations and advancing Ecolab’s sustainability goals.
Featured Solutions
Leveraging Ecolab solutions and digital technologies help the Suzano manufacturing facility reduce, reuse and recycle water.
To improve the overall health of local watersheds, and as part of Ecolab’s efforts to create 2030 Positive Impact, we have prioritized AWS certification in high-risk watersheds in which we operate.
Good Water
Governance
✓
Sustainable Water
Balance
✓
Good Water
Quality Status
✓
Important Water-Related Areas
✓
Water Sanitation and
Hygiene (Wash)
✓
Water Stewardship Journey
Ecolab is committed to sustainable water use in our facilities and collaboration with other businesses at the local level. In alignment with Ecolab’s commitment to a holistic approach to water management across its manufacturing facilities, in 2023, the company achieved Core Certification for Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Version 2.0 International Water Standard at its Suzano facility. The facility has continued to stay up to date on AWS requirements to uphold the core certification.
To identify shared water challenges in the Alto Tietê River Basin and surrounding region, a comprehensive risk assessment was performed leveraging insights from Ecolab® Water Navigator IQ™ and the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct Atlas to identify shared and site-level water challenges. Implementation of water withdrawal reduction projects were prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
To effectively address these challenges, Ecolab’s strong water stewardship approach strives for continuous improvement in sustainable site water balance and water quality. Our holistic approach includes a focus on important water related areas (IWRA) and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and our continued progress across all these critical areas depends on our strong water governance.
Using Ecolab® Water Navigator IQ™ to quantify the progress made against the five AWS outcomes, the Suzano site is considered Water-Smart on the Water Maturity Curve. The Water Maturity Curve illustrates the quantified state of a site’s water strategy and management plan. A facility’s place on the curve is determined by a set of criteria that includes governance and strategy, target setting, water management practices and water stewardship. The criteria incorporate principles consistent with the five outcomes of the AWS framework, both emphasizing that strong water management includes continuous improvement and collaboration inside and outside the facility’s operations.
sustainable water balance
Sustainable Water Balance
Net Positive Water
A sustainable water balance and smart water management approach within our own operations is a critical component in achieving a localized net positive water impact. Aligned with the enterprise goals, the local team’s objective is to reduce the site’s annual water use per ton of product by 40% from 2018 to 2030. The team at Ecolab’s Suzano site assessed the facility for opportunities to decrease water use across operations to meet Ecolab’s targets to create 2030 Positive Impact. Implementation of water reduction projects are prioritized based on risk probability and impact to site-level and community stakeholders.
water Quality
Water Quality
Water Quality Approach
To maintain good wastewater quality, temperature and pH are continuously adjusted. A complete analysis is carried out monthly and an annual analysis is sent to the São Paulo State Sanitation Station and Environmental Agency to ensure system compliance. The incoming drinking water quality is tested monthly and incoming process water quality is tested annually.
If a spill or water-related issue were to occur, the Suzano site has a robust incident response plan that includes a root cause analysis of the original incident, a review by the leadership team, documentation in an internal reporting platform and communication of mitigation strategies during monthly site meetings.
Water Governance
Water Governance
Water Governance Approach
At the plant level, the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Department is responsible for managing the quality of water, effluents and wastewater discharges, as well as all legal requirements on the subject. The utilities, logistics, production and maintenance teams are responsible for executing water saving projects. The utilities team is also responsible for operating the industrial water and effluent treatment system, monitoring wastewater discharge and collecting relevant samples. Site water-related compliance information is available upon request, including necessary corrective action taken by the site to prevent future occurrences. Additionally, Ecolab’s CDP Report discloses any violations and associated corrective actions.
The corporate sustainability team is guided and advised by the Sustainability Executive Advisory Team (SEAT), which is made up of the company’s most senior business and divisional leaders. In addition, Ecolab’s Sustainability, Water Stewardship and Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) positions are publicly available and serve as commitments to and guidance on water-related issues and compliance. Ecolab’s Sustainability Position formalizes Ecolab’s global commitment to sustainability within the company and its impact on customers. Ecolab’s Water Stewardship Position reinforces Ecolab’s global commitment to responsible water stewardship by identifying opportunities for the company and its customers to use water resources in a manner that benefits business, communities and nature. Ecolab’s SHE Position outlines the company’s commitment to excellence in safety, health and environmental practices and performance across global operations.
Important Water Related Areas (IWRA) // Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Important Water Related Areas (IWRA)
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Collective Action
In addition to internal operational improvements, Ecolab’s Suzano facility’s external water stewardship activities are ongoing. Shared challenges between the plant and relevant local stakeholders include water scarcity, water quality and the physical water risk of flooding. To address these shared issues, Ecolab collaborates with other water users in the basin.
Site employees have participated in numerous social projects in conjunction with Ecolab’s Brazil sales and services teams to raise awareness about the importance of water in the community through the creation of wall art and other public works. The facility engages with public stakeholders including municipal water sanitation providers, a variety of private companies in the area and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Additionally, through Ecolab’s founding membership in the United Nations (UN) Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), work to launch a São Paulo chapter of the Coalition was initiated, which expands collective action engagement to medium and small companies in the area on shared water challenges.
Moreover, Ecolab has committed to a project in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) through the São Paulo Water Fund. The primary objective of this project is to protect and improve water security in the São Paulo metropolitan area. Through the São Paulo Water Fund, at least 220 hectares of forest land within the municipalities of Mogi das Cruzes and Salesópolis will be protected, both of which are located within the headwaters of the Upper Tietê Watershed. Project partners engage with rural landowners, map existing forests for conservation and restoration and identify improvements to rural sanitation. Voluntary conservation agreements with landowners are negotiated, which align with Municipal Water Conservation Policies that already exist in the municipalities. Once signed, these agreements compensate rural landowners to conserve their forested lands. The project leverages funding to expand access to basic sanitation within rural areas by replacing rudimentary systems with advanced technologies in Salesópolis and/or Mogi das Cruzes.
This project will replenish approximately 29.4 million gallons of water annually for a period of 10 years. Beyond this significant volumetric benefit, the initiative is designed to support long-term groundwater storage and recharge, enhance surface water quality, and promote the abundance and diversity of native plant species. Through the Water Fund, at least 220 hectares of forest land within the municipalities of Mogi das Cruzes and Salesópolis — both located within the watershed — will be protected. Ecolab’s support is expected to deliver not only measurable water benefits but also contribute to improved carbon sequestration, strengthening climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Ultimately, these efforts aim to enhance environmental resilience and human health for up to 12 million people living in the region.
On top of local water stewardship efforts, Ecolab’s global giving program, Solutions for Life, enhances the company’s mission to conserve and protect freshwater through partnerships and additional projects with TNC and the Project WET Foundation.
This case study was created to comply with AWS indicators 5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.3.1. 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3. For more information, please contact sustainability@ecolab.com.
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