Audi is the world’s first premium manufacturer to produce automobiles completely free of wastewater. At its site in San José Chiapa, Mexico, the company is using a new water treatment process. That process collects 100 per cent of the wastewater produced there and purifies it. Then it feeds large volumes of clean water back into the plant’s water supply system. In this way, Audi México ensures the sustainable use of the water as a resource and minimizes the environmental impact of its car production.
From the paint shop to leak tests – water is necessary in the entire process of automobile production.
The wastewater generated at Audi México first undergoes chemical-physical treatment
It neutralizes the water and removes particles and heavy metals, from the paint shop for example. This pre-treated water is then further processed together with the remaining wastewater from the site. They go to a biological wastewater treatment plant, where organic components are decomposed. Finally, a combination of ultrafiltration and multistage reverse osmosis separates the remaining contaminants, including bacterial germs and alkalis. Audi reuses the hygienic and high-quality recycled water directly at the site. The concentrated matter from reverse osmosis is evaporated and the dehydrated solids are disposed of. The company is thus assuming a pioneering technological role for wastewater treatment.
“We are pursuing the vision of producing cars at all our sites completely CO₂ neutral and free of wastewater. We have reached a major milestone in this respect at our plant in San José Chiapa,” stated Peter Kössler, Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics at AUDI AG. “As an automobile manufacturer, we have an obligation to ensure the careful and environmentally compatible use of valuable resources such as water. With the new reprocessing method, we are also making a significant contribution to combating water shortages in Mexico.”
Audi México uses the treated water as process water in production and to irrigate the green areas on the plant grounds
With this innovative process, Audi is already saving around 100,000 cubic meters of water per annum. That is equivalent to about a quarter of the plant’s total requirement. In the long term, the company actually plans to save more than 300,000 cubic meters of groundwater every year.
“With the new wastewater treatment system, Audi is taking an important step towards an autonomous water cycle,” said Rüdiger Recknagel, Head of Environmental Protection at AUDI AG. “By the end of 2025, we want to reduce the Audi Group’s environmental impact by 35 percent per car produced compared with the reference year 2010. This measure brings us closer to that goal.”
To further reduce the use of groundwater, there’s a 240,000 cubic meters reservoir on the site. It fills up during the rainy season of approximately six months from April to September. It is for rainwater which undergoes treatment and is also in use in the plant. “Audi México is the youngest site in the Audi Group. We are all the prouder to play a pioneering role in the sustainable use of water as a resource,” said Alfons Dintner, Chief Executive of Audi México.
As part of its commitment to the environment, Audi México has also planted more than 100,000 trees. The company installed as well 25,000 septic tanks on an area of 100 hectares in the neighbouring municipality of San José Ozumba. In the rainy season, up to 375,000 cubic meters of water return to the groundwater there each year.
The Audi México plant opened in 2016 and produces the Audi Q5 for the world market.
