Water management
Most of the water used in our operations takes place in the refineries. In addition, water is also used for example at terminals and station networks. We consider water-related aspects in the procurement of renewable raw materials and when choosing suppliers, as outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Water use in Neste refineries
Water and steam are used in Neste’s operations. A large portion of the water we use is utilized in the production of fossil fuels. As for refining renewable fuels, water consumption is relatively low, as water is mainly used in generating steam. Cooling is the largest application of water use. Cooling water is mainly sea water. Due to its size, the Porvoo refinery is Neste's largest water user.
Our fresh water sources are the River Maas and the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal in the Netherlands, and the Mustijoki river (and Päijänne tunnel when necessary), in Porvoo, Finland. Our Singapore refinery procures its water from Singapore´s National Water Agency (PUB). This raw water supply is primarily sourced from recycled wastewater, but it also includes rainwater, surface water from Malaysia, and desalinated seawater.
Water for cooling processes
All of our refineries use closed-cycle cooling systems, so the cooling water is not contaminated. The process water in these closed systems is cooled using seawater or air cooling.
The Porvoo refinery uses brackish water from the Baltic Sea as cooling water, which is returned to the sea after circulation. The Rotterdam and Singapore refineries procure their cooling water from an external supplier.
Wastewater
Wastewater passes through on-site treatment plants before discharge. Treated water from the Porvoo and Rotterdam refineries is released into adjacent waterways, while in Singapore it is discharged into the public sewer system.
Monitoring waterways
In Finland, we collaborate with external experts to monitor the sea areas adjacent to our Porvoo refinery and Naantali terminal. This monitoring assesses water quality, zoobenthos and local fisheries. In the Netherlands and Singapore, monitoring marine conditions is the responsibility of local authorities.
Share this