Audi is the world’s first premium manufacturer to produce automobiles completely free of wastewater, by using a new multi-stage water treatment process that saves 100,000 cubic metres of water each year during car production.
Audi is the world’s first premium manufacturer to produce automobiles completely free of wastewater. At its site in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico, which was opened in 2016 and currently produces the Audi Q5 for the world market, the automaker is using a new water treatment process that collects 100 percent of the wastewater produced there, purifies it and feeds large volumes of clean water back into the plant’s water supply system. In this way, Audi México ensures the sustainable use of the water as a resource and minimises the environmental impact of its car production.
From the paint shop to leak tests, water is necessary in the entire process of automobile production. The wastewater generated at Audi Mexico first undergoes chemical-physical
treatment, which neutralises the water and removes particles and heavy metals – from the paint shop, for example. This pre-treated water is then further processed together with the remaining wastewater from the site in a biological wastewater treatment plant, where organic components are decomposed. Finally, a combination of ultra-filtration and multi-stage reverse osmosis separates the remaining contaminants, including bacterial germs and alkalis.
Audi reuses the hygienic and high-quality recycled water directly at the site. The concentrated matter from reverse osmosis is evaporated and the dehydrated solids are disposed of. The company is thus assuming a pioneering technological role for wastewater treatment.
Audi Mexico uses the treated water as process water in production and to irrigate the green areas on the plant grounds. With this innovative process, Audi is already saving around
100,000 cubic metres of water per annum, equivalent to about a quarter of the plant’s total requirement. In the long term, the company plans to save more than 300,000 cubic
metres of groundwater every year.
To further reduce the use of groundwater, a reservoir with a capacity of 240,000 cubic metres is located on the site. It fills up during the rainy season of approximately six months from April to September. The rainwater is collected and treated and also used in the plant.
As part of its commitment to the environment, Audi Mexico has also planted more than 100,000 trees and installed 25,000 septic tanks on an area of 100 hectares in the neighbouring
municipality of San Jose Ozumba. In the rainy season, up to 375,000 cubic meters of water are returned to the groundwater there each year.
