Our individual global water-energy “splashprint” is much higher than most of us think. Consider that it takes 2,867 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans or 1,500 gallons to make a desktop computer. Two critical needs – clean water and on-demand energy – are intimately intertwined. The 2030 Water Resources Group reports that by 2030, global water requirements are expected to grow by 50 percent, and analysts are predicting that our available water supplies will satisfy only 60 percent of demand.
This year’s United Nations World Water Day is centered on re-focusing our lives to lessen our water-energy splashprint through technology that helps us conserve.
Recognizing the perilous state of the water-energy nexus, Dow scientists have developed breakthrough polymer chemistry that is the most advanced water purification science available today. Introduced in 2013, DOW FILMTEC™ ECO Reverse Osmosis (RO) Elements are helping to deliver manufacturers 40 percent better water purification while using 30 percent less energy.
As a technology helping to improve the world’s ability to solve sustainable water supply challenges, FILMTEC™ ECO Technology is recognized as Dow’s second-ever Breakthrough to a World Challenge. The technology is also a finalist of the coveted 2014 Edison Award, recognized in the Energy/Sustainability and Commercial Resource Management categories.
“Water is, without a doubt, the world’s most precious resource,” said Neil Hawkins, Dow’s corporate vice president, Sustainability. “Dow is committed to advancing science that directly addresses global challenges like water, energy and climate change through our innovations and our 2015 Sustainability Goals. We help people around the globe process more than 15 million gallons of water per minute. Our scientists are employing breakthrough chemistry to revolutionize reverse osmosis – the most advanced water purification technology available today – to help fight global water scarcity.”
FILMTEC™ ECO Elements are helping to save water and energy while also helping to reduce operational costs in facilities by 16-19 percent. In the first ten years of use, FILMTEC™ ECO Elements will produce 15 trillion m3 of clean water (more than 6 million Olympic-sized swimming pools), while providing more than 2 billion kWh (Kilowatt hours) of energy savings and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1.5 million metric tons.
FILMTEC™ ECO Elements are making waves in the industrial and manufacturing worlds. Utility providers are reducing their chemical usage and improving their power production time and electronic manufacturers are increasing water purity for higher performing tablets, smartphones and computers. Even brewers are using FILMTEC™ ECO Elements to brew beer more sustainably.
“The industrial use of water is one of the largest uses of treated water, and increasing water scarcity has driven companies to seek out new ways to purify water and promote water reuse that are cost-effective and environmentally conscious,” said Snehal Desai, global business director for Dow Water & Process Solutions. “FILMTEC™ ECO Elements offer added ecological and economical value, increasing sustainability over time and reducing energy and chemical costs. Energy consumption is the first controllable resource in the water-energy nexus, and FILMTEC™ ECO elements are playing a key role in helping manage water and energy resources around the world.”
Dow offers extensive expertise and a robust portfolio of advanced pipe and water technology solutions that help customers make water distribution safer, cleaner and more cost-effective. With water purification and separation technologies as well as advanced and sustainable microbial control and scale inhibitor solutions, Dow combines the creativity of our people and our technology expertise to help reduce the global water crisis—setting the standard for sustainable water use, purification and management. For more information about Dow’s commitment to water security, visit www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/
Splashprint Stats Social Corner
Energy needs water, #water needs #energy. Dow helps enhance water-energy nexus w/ #reverseosmosis tech #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
#RO tech from Dow will produce 15,000 m3 of pure #water (>6 Olympic size pools) in next 10 years #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
FILMTEC ECO #ReverseOsmosis delivers manufacturers 40% better #water purification using 30% less #energy #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
FILMTEC ECO recognized as Dow’s 2nd Breakthrough to a World Challenge tech & finalist for 2014 Edison Award #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
Watery paper: It takes 2.64 gallons of #water to produce 1 sheet of paper #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
1 cotton t-shirt = 400 gallons of #water. Dow #RO tech reduces water & #energy use & increases purity in mfg #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
#DYK it takes 2,867 gallons of #water to make 1 pair of jeans or 1,500 gallons to make a desktop computer #WorldWaterDay http://www.dow.com/sustainability/globalneeds/world-water-day/index.htm
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from the intersection of chemical, physical and biological sciences to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high growth sectors such as packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2013, Dow had annual sales of more than $57 billion and employed approximately 53,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 6,000 products are manufactured at 201 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
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