AkzoNobel is a world leading supplier of coatings and inks for the protection and decoration of beverage, food, aerosol and general line cans, metal closures and collapsible tubes. 

It’s a business highly dependent on water.

Igne installed a borehole, increased pumping and saved AkzoNobel tens of thousands of pounds

At their production site in Birmingham, AkzoNobel manufacture a protective resin for beer and beverage cans for a global market in which they hold a market leading position.

“The production process is water based,” commented Scott Love, AkzoNobel's U.K Engineering Manager. “We use various chemicals and water to manufacture the resin which acts as a protective barrier between the metal can and the contents of the can. The site produces 60,000 tonnes of liquid resin a year which is shipped out across the globe.

“In just one year we used 57 million litres of water in the production process, 75% of those litres came from a borehole,” explained Scott, he added, “At the time of installation the borehole and pump were suitable for our consumption needs. However, shortly afterwards we experienced an unexpected increase in production demand, which obviously had a knock on effect on our water consumption.”

Within 12 months the water demand at the site had increased again by 20%.

Applying to increase abstraction rates

“In order to supply more water from the borehole we went back to the installation company, Igne, and set about investigating if we could increase the water supply from the existing source,” explained Scott

“With the help of Envireau Water and Igne we applied to the Environment Agency to increase our abstraction rates and Igne’s installed a pump capable of pumping 50 million litres a year.”

“The installation of the new pump and increased abstraction licence now enables our private borehole water supply to cater for 88% of our needs,” commented Scott.

He went on to explain his original motivations for installing a borehole, “We’ve been established for 100 years and with such a high demand for water, the related bills were soaring.” However cost saving wasn’t the only reason to seek an alternative, with long-term sustainability a key motivation, as detailed in the AkzoNobel company policy.

“The borehole will save us £65,000 this year alone in water bills – a considerable saving,” commented Scott. “Not only is it cost effective, but it also very low maintenance. Our production process is 90% reliant on the borehole and I think that speaks volumes about the confidence we have in the installation from Igne,” concluded Scott.