Ecolab's Southeast Asia Impact Awards Celebrate Industrial Giants Driving Water Conservation

In a region where water scarcity is an escalating concern, industrial leaders are stepping up to champion sustainable practices. Ecolab, a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, recently shined a spotlight on two such pioneers, recognizing Chandra Asri Group and AETN (operating under the Aster brand) with its prestigious Southeast Asia Impact Awards.

These accolades celebrate their extraordinary commitment and measurable success in water conservation, setting a powerful example for the entire industry.

The awards underscore a vital truth: environmental stewardship is not just good for the planet; it's also smart business. Both companies demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and dedication, working hand-in-hand with Ecolab to implement advanced solutions that dramatically reduced their water footprint and operational costs.

Indonesia’s largest integrated petrochemical company, Chandra Asri Group, was lauded for its transformative efforts at its sprawling Cilegon complex.

Through strategic process optimization and the innovative reuse of industrial water, the company achieved an astounding 16% reduction in water consumption. This translates to an incredible saving of over 300 million liters of water annually – enough to fill 120 Olympic-sized swimming pools! This monumental achievement not only preserved a vital natural resource but also delivered significant economic benefits, saving the company approximately $1.2 million in operational costs each year.

Andre Khor, Vice President of Manufacturing at Chandra Asri Group, articulated their vision, stating, "Water is a critical resource for our operations and the communities we serve. Our collaboration with Ecolab has been instrumental in achieving significant water savings, solidifying our commitment to sustainable resource management."

Across the straits, AETN, a leading global provider of advanced materials for the semiconductor industry, garnered recognition for its stellar water and energy savings at its cutting-edge wafer fabrication plants in Kulim, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The Singapore facility, in particular, showcased phenomenal results, conserving an impressive 155 million liters of water and reducing energy consumption by 4 million kWh over a three-year period. These efforts not only championed environmental sustainability but also translated into substantial financial gains, avoiding an estimated $1.1 million in operational expenses.

Alan Ng, Vice President of Operations, Asia, for AETN, emphasized the collaborative spirit, saying, "Our partnership with Ecolab has empowered us to not only meet but exceed our sustainability targets, driving significant water and energy efficiencies across our operations."

Ecolab’s instrumental role in these successes cannot be overstated.

By deploying cutting-edge digital technologies such as Ecolab 3D TRASAR™ and its Water Flow Optimization program, Ecolab provided the expertise and tools necessary for these industrial giants to identify inefficiencies, optimize processes, and implement robust water reuse strategies. Mike Hightower, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Water, Asia Pacific, at Ecolab, celebrated the partnerships, remarking, "These awards are a testament to the powerful impact we can achieve when industry leaders prioritize sustainability.

Chandra Asri Group and AETN are not just reducing their environmental footprint; they are also enhancing their operational resilience and setting new standards for industrial water stewardship in Southeast Asia."

The Southeast Asia Impact Awards serve as a beacon, highlighting the critical importance of industrial water stewardship in addressing global water challenges.

They celebrate not just achievements but also the forward-thinking vision of companies committed to building a more sustainable future. As water resources become increasingly strained, the leadership demonstrated by Chandra Asri Group and AETN offers a powerful blueprint for industries worldwide, proving that environmental responsibility and economic prosperity can, and must, go hand in hand.