ThaiBev Sustainability 2020

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020

ThaiBev Sustainability Approach

Caring for the Environment

Sharing the Value
with the World

Caring for People

Home / 2020 Sustainability Report / Caring for the Environment

Water Stewardship

ThaiBev sets its Corporate Water Management Policy prioritizing on comprehensive water management system covers the whole value chain, from water sustainability assessment at production facilities to evaluate level of water-related risks to setting a guideline for water management in each location. This includes water assessment throughout the product life cycle in order to optimize water management efficiency. Additionally, ThaiBev collaborated with stakeholders to conserve water resources and assisted communities in gaining access to clean water and reduce the impact on the ecosystem through the following projects:

Surface Water and Groundwater Sustainability Assessment

ThaiBev regularly conducts a Water Sustainability Assessment (WSA) for both surface water and groundwater at production facilities in order to better understand and evaluate current water-related issues and/or future impact and risks associated with its business units. This in-depth assessment covers 4 dimensions: detailed water source assessment, including the availability of water sources, the internal structure of water resources, the vulnerability of the watershed, social and environmental factors, water-related natural occurrences, such as droughts, floods, etc.; and the quality of water sources. This assessment forecast covers the period of five years to ensure sustainable water supply to support the facilities’ operation.

ThaiBev employed satellite imagery to study watershed topography, water flow direction, drainage pattern, slope patterns of irrigation canals, rivers, canals, reservoirs, dams, and neighboring areas, together with trends of land usage during the past 10 years. This allowed ThaiBev to create a comprehensive risk mitigation strategy that is appropriate for local conditions while addressing both long-term and short-term risks.

This year, ThaiBev extended the Surface Water and Groundwater Sustainability Assessment to five more factories covering all business units. In the future, ThaiBev will expand this water assessment to cover all factories for its sustainable water management.

Water Efficiency Program

ThaiBev applied the Water Footprint concept to measure water usage by adhering to the ISO 14046 standard, which is in line with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It includes the sourcing of raw materials, production processes, usage, and post-consumption waste management, which serves as a guideline to production process improvement by using water resources wisely and efficiently.

Furthermore, ThaiBev also improved water consumption processes throughout the product life cycle using the principles of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. These help the company execute its water management sustainably and efficiently.

Industrial Managed Aquifer Recharge at Shallow Levels

ThaiBev joined The Federation of Thai Industries and the Water and Environmental Institute of Sustainability in the Industrial Managed Aquifer Recharge at Shallow Levels Program and 4 factories participated in order to be a phototype factory for suitable aquifer recharging systems and recognizing the corporate social responsibility to nearby communities. The method of groundwater recharge is to harvest rainwater and keep at shallow levels (not more than 15 meters deep) to preserve the natural water balance without affecting the ecosystem and the environment. This project aims to be completed in 2021 with expected benefits, as follows:

Prototype recharging system for groundwater at shallow levels
Ability to collect rainwater as a reserved water source in times of lacking
To reduce impact of flooding around in the factories and neighboring areas
To add moisture to the soil and create green areas
To increase groundwater levels in the long term
To support corporate social responsibility in the industrial sector

Conservation of Upstream Forest and Water Sources Care with Communities

In order to conserve upstream forests and replenish clean water to nature, while restoring water resources and the ecological system, ThaiBev supported the following community activities and projects:

Wastewater Management Through Artificial Wetlands
Clean Water Project in Myanmar
Clean Drinking Water for Children
“Clean Canal” Project
Water Conservation Program
Mangrove Restoration and Conservation

Commitments and Achievements

Effective water management in 2020 resulted in the reduction, reuse, and recycling of water compared to total volume of water withdrawal, as follows:

Moving Forward

ThaiBev recognizes the impact of climate change and the continuous demand for water usage by monitoring water intensity per finished product. It sets both short-term and long-term targets in order to manage its water usage more efficiently.

Insight

Weerachai Chaiyamong

Production Director
Beer Thai (1991) Public Company Limited

Water Management in high water stress area

Water is an essential natural resource for the production process. The demand for water continues to increase but the availability of water is decreasing due to degradation of water resources, water pollution, and the effects of climate change. Beer group recognizes the importance of water conservation to maintain high water quality and ensure sufficient quantity for production while minimizing impact to the communities. Therefore, water management is identified as one of the key risks for the group. A monitoring system is established to closely monitor the quality and quantity of water to mitigate any possible impacts. The water risk assessment conducted using Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas by World Resources Institute (WRI) shows that some factories are located in high water stress areas. Therefore, we have collaborated with the private and government sectors to implement necessary measures regarding water usage and conservation practices.

This year, Beer Thai (1991) Public Company Limited participated in the Water Sustainability Assessment (WSA) which is an in-depth assessment of Water-related risks, using satellite imagery to study changes in the geography to be able to develop appropriate plans for both within the production facility and the surrounding communities. The company also worked with the government sector by joining the “Industrial Managed Aquifer Recharge at Shallow Level Project” led by the Water and Environmental Institute of Sustainability and the Department of Ground Resources. The objectives are to harvest rainwater and recharge ground water as well as enhancing stakeholder engagement.

Beer group fosters an innovative culture through the Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) program and encourages employees to propose ideas to conserve water using the 3Rs concept: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Some of the initiatives resulting from the program include produce utility water from backwash water, improve the efficiency of CIP Process (Cleaning in Place) to be able to use final rinse as pre-flush water, and use technology to improve process efficiency of water usage. Prior to the construction of a new production facility, water sustainability such as quantity, quality and impacts to the surrounding communities are considered along with the selection of machinery equipment to optimize water and energy efficiency.

In order to build good relationships with stakeholders surrounding the production sites, the company initiated community development programs by installing drinking water systems for students and school staff so they have access to clean and hygienic drinking water through the “Clean Drinking Water for Children” Project. The project’s ongoing monitoring process ensures that the water generated through these systems maintains at the best quality.

For example, a monthly water test to guarantee that the quality meets drinking water standards, collaboration projects such as constructing waterway systems by dredging and expanding existing waterways to mitigate impacts from flooding and prevent wastewater clogging, which could affect the health and hygiene of local communities.

ThaiBev 2020 Sustainability

ThaiBev
2020 Sustainability