Water management at our refineries
Water and steam are used in Neste’s operations. Most of our water use takes place in the refineries. In addition, water is also used for example at terminals and station networks and raw material production. We consider water-related aspects in the procurement of renewable raw materials and when choosing suppliers, as outlined in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
A large portion of the water we use is utilized in the production of fossil fuels. As for refining 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, Rotterdam, the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, Sluiskil, and the Mustijoki river (and Päijänne tunnel when necessary), Porvoo. Our Singapore refinery purchases the waters from the Singapore´s National Water Agency (PUB) which sources raw water for our use primarily from recycled wastewater but also 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.
In Porvoo refinery, the cooling water is brackish water from the Baltic Sea, which is returned to the sea after the circulation.In Rotterdam and Singapore refineries, the cooling water is purchased from an external supplier.
Monitoring waterways
In Finland we monitor the sea areas next to our Porvoo refinery and Naantali terminal and the quality of the water together with external experts. Monitoring covers water quality, the seabed organisms and local fisheries. The authorities are responsible for monitoring marine conditions in the Netherlands and in Singapore.
Wastewater
Treated wastewater is discharged into waterways in Porvoo and Rotterdam and to the public sewer in Singapore. Before discharging, wastewater passes through on-site treatment plants.
Share this