Water Management

Water is fundamental to everything we do. So managing it sustainably doesn’t just make sense, it’s essential.

Without water, our business cannot function. So it is in our interests, and the interests of the world, that we manage this finite resource intelligently. That’s why we put systems in place that dramatically reduce the water we use on site and deliver other benefits too.

With the support of our colleagues – each one now a committed ‘water steward’ – we squeeze maximum value from every drop, even recycling a significant volume under the Every Little Drop Programme.

Water Management

One important way to ensure sustainable production methods and ways of working across our business is through responsible water management. We’re always looking to reduce the water we use, and reuse ways wherever possible.

The start of that mission was to identify opportunities to improve supply, use and treatment throughout the supply chain through monitoring and reporting, with KPIs designed to drive reductions introduced over the past few years. That reduction has been successful across our Irish sites, driven by innovative projects and programmes.

 

Certified Standards

ABP Cahir became the first sustainable food processor in Europe to achieve the European Water Stewardship (EWP) standard, creating a blueprint for a wide ranging water reduction programme across all ABP’s Iriish processing sites. Our work was included as part of a pilot group for the new European Water Stewardship Multi-Site and Catchment Group Scheme, now including two sites in Northern Ireland, and Joint Venture partners Slaney Foods and Irish Country Meats.

The programme has been instrumental in achieving Carbon Trust certification, and in helping the company maintain Origin Green credentials – water consumption since 2008 has more than halved.

 

Energy Positive Innovation

A project at ABP Lurgan represents a pioneering step in sustainable beef production, introducing carbon neutral, energy positive waste water treatment technology designed to reduce the site’s carbon footprint. The prototype cleans waste water whilst simultaneously generating gas for heating, allowing ABP Lurgan to offset gas usage on site by 40%.

The initiative was introduced in partnership with Galway company NVP Engineering, commercialising a technique developed at NUI Galway using Low Temperature Anaerobic Digestion (LTAD). The technology is now being rolled out across food and beverage production sites worldwide, creating 10 full times jobs at NVP Engineering in the process – all on the back of the ABP trial.

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Two black water towers in a field A close-up of a lapping water in a lake A close-up of water running down a sinkhole A field of greenery and wild flowers

43% reduction at ABP Cahir

By end 2016, water consumption at ABP Cahir stood at 2.6m3/tonne - 43% less than the previous year

80% less water used

in knife sterilizers at ABP Rathkeale

Less water = less fossil fuel

Because we’re treating less wastewater we use less electricity

A first for APB Ireland

We’re proud to be the pilot group for the European Water Stewardship Multi-Site and Catchment Group Scheme

  • 43% reduction at ABP Cahir

    By end 2016, water consumption at ABP Cahir stood at 2.6m3/tonne - 43% less than the previous year

  • 80% less water used

    in knife sterilizers at ABP Rathkeale

  • Less water = less fossil fuel

    Because we’re treating less wastewater we use less electricity

  • A first for APB Ireland

    We’re proud to be the pilot group for the European Water Stewardship Multi-Site and Catchment Group Scheme

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