Why this is material
Global population growth coupled with rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have led to an unprecedented demand for critical resources. This has underscored the need for us to reduce the unnecessary use of resources while pursuing innovations that support a circular economy.
We have identified three key areas under resource management:
• Energy management
• Water and wastewater management
• Waste management
In each area, we seek to optimise resource use for our customers and in our own operations.
Our approach
Energy Management
The challenge for the energy sector is to meet growing energy needs, with less emissions. While we are taking steps to move to a green portfolio, this process takes time. In the meantime, we are optimising the efficiency of our power assets.
The Sembcorp Global Asset Management System enables process optimisation, troubleshooting and predictive analytics, and consolidates real-time operational data from our global assets.
Energy efficiency parameters are embedded in our plant operation management systems and monitored daily.
Water and Wastewater Management
Our aim is to ensure that all our interactions with, and the usage of, water resources are responsibly managed.
As a water solutions provider, Sembcorp uses water for a number of purposes. In addition to consuming water in our own operations, we also supply water and associated water services to our customers.
Where required, environmental impact assessments are conducted in accordance with national and / or international standards and methodologies, to understand the effect our activities have on the local environment, including water bodies.
Our specialised water solutions for industries enable us to treat multiple streams of industrial wastewater directly from source. In some cases, a proportion of treated water is channelled for reclamation and re-supplied to customers for their industrial processes.
In water-stressed regions such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates, our large-scale integrated power and desalination plants provide high-quality water to meet municipal and industrial needs.
Waste Management
Tackling the challenge of waste management requires a circular economy approach, including reduction in waste generation and exploring opportunities to reuse resources.
For example, Sembcorp operates energy-from- waste plants in Singapore and the UK, where waste is used as feedstock for power generation. In Singapore, this waste is collected by our solid waste management business. In addition, the majority of fly ash generated as a by-product in our coal-fired power plants in India is recycled into cement and bricks.
We actively seek to reduce the volume of sludge generated in our industrial wastewater treatment operations. In some cases non-hazardous sludge is converted into useful products such as bricks or plant fertiliser where possible.
