A Major Advance in Sustainable Water Management
Developed together with Sulzer, a global leader in fluid engineering, the new wastewater treatment and recovery system is designed to treat sanitary wastewater and reuse it as process water—a breakthrough that supports both environmental stewardship and operational efficiency.
The new treatment facility uses advanced filtration, purification, and recycling technologies to transform wastewater into high-quality process water suitable for production. This innovative approach enables the plant to significantly reduce freshwater demand while simultaneously cutting wastewater discharge.
Expected benefits in the first full year of operation include:
- More than 50% reduction in water discharge volume at the Gournay-en-Bray site
- Annual savings of approximately 3,500 m³ of freshwater
- Lower environmental fees and effluent charges due to reduced discharge
- Progress toward water circularity, with treated sanitary water looped back into production
These improvements demonstrate how industrial sites can meaningfully reduce their environmental footprint through smart investment and collaboration.
Strengthening Sustainability Ambitions
The project plays an important role in advancing Sika’s 2028 Growth Strategy, which targets:
- A 15% reduction in water discharge per ton sold
- Lower total company-wide discharge volumes
- A higher share of reused and recycled wastewater
By reintroducing treated sanitary water into manufacturing processes, the Gournay-en-Bray plant is setting up a pioneering example of partial water circularity within the chemical building materials industry.
A Pilot for the Future
The project serves as a pilot for potential rollouts at other sites. It demonstrates the technical feasibility, environmental value, and economic benefits of investing in water reuse technologies, especially in regions facing increasing water scarcity and regulatory pressure.
More initiatives focusing on energy efficiency, water optimization, and resource conservation are underway across Sika’s global network, reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible manufacturing and long-term sustainability.
wastewater treatment and recovery system at its Gournay-en-Bray plant
Innovative wastewater treatment and recovery system at its Gournay-en-Bray plant
wastewater treatment and recovery system at its Gournay-en-Bray plant
wastewater treatment and recovery system at its Gournay-en-Bray plant
wastewater treatment and recovery system at its Gournay-en-Bray plant
wastewater treatment and recovery system at the Sika Gournay-en-Bray plant