Sustainable Manufacturing
Water
Responsible water use
Water has been part of our manufacturing story since the foundation of our mills. We use water throughout our production processes and are focused on understanding where it comes from, how it is used and where opportunities exist to reduce our consumption.
Using water responsibly
Water is an important part of our manufacturing processes, particularly at our Elgin mill where wet processing takes place.
Most of the water used on-site comes from our borehole. This provides a reliable source for production while helping us avoid competing with other users of the town water supply.
We continue to monitor our water use and look for ways to improve efficiency across our operations.
Our water sources
Understanding the source of our water helps us manage this resource responsibly and identify where improvements can be made.
Borehole water
81% of the water consumed on-site comes from our Elgin borehole.
Town water
19% comes from the town water supply and is used for toilets, canteens and the restaurant.
Production water
All water used for production comes from our borehole ground source.
Water from our borehole
Our Elgin site uses an on-site borehole for production water. This source has been identified as a sustainable option for our operations.
Using the borehole means that water used in our production processes does not compete with the town supply used by homes, farms and other local users.
It also provides greater security of supply for our manufacturing operations, particularly during periods when water availability may be under greater pressure.
Understanding our consumption
We are continuing to improve our understanding of how water is used across our production processes.
Increased metering helps us identify where water is being used and where in-process losses may occur. This gives us a clearer picture of our consumption and helps us identify opportunities for improvement.
We now have annual targets for water used in production, supporting our continued focus on using water carefully and efficiently.
Working towards more efficient water use
Water availability cannot be taken for granted. Although Scotland is currently in a relatively favourable position for water availability, changing climate conditions may affect water resources over time.
Our focus is therefore on understanding our consumption, monitoring water use more closely and setting practical targets for reduction.
Annual production targets
We have introduced annual targets for water used in production so that we can monitor progress and continue looking for ways to reduce consumption.
Understanding water across our supply chain
Water use does not stop at our own sites. We are continuing to build our understanding of water use and its potential impacts across the wider supply chain.
Working with our partners
We are engaging with partners to better understand water use in the processes that take place before fibres reach our Scottish mills.
This work helps us understand the challenges faced in different locations and where water conservation may become increasingly important.
Building our knowledge
We use industry-standard approaches to help build our understanding of environmental challenges, including those associated with water and biodiversity.
This allows us to identify areas where further information and action are needed as our sustainability work develops.
Questions we are continuing to explore
Why do we use a borehole?
Most of the water consumed on-site comes from our Elgin borehole. Using this source for production helps us avoid competing with the town water supply used by other local users.
How much of our production water comes from the borehole?
100% of the water used for production comes from our borehole ground source. The remaining 19% of water consumed on-site comes from the town supply and is used for toilets, canteens and the restaurant.
How are we working to reduce water use?
We are improving metering to understand where water is used and where in-process losses may occur. We have also introduced annual targets for water used in production to help us monitor progress.
Why is water management important for the future?
Water availability may come under greater pressure as climate conditions change. Continuing to measure, understand and manage our water use helps us prepare for those changes and use this important resource responsibly.
