Water is Needed — in the Right Place at the Right Time
BASF Corporation’s Christopher Dorow on how sustainable, affordable water access is critical to nature and prosperity
By Christopher Dorow, BASF Corporation
“Needed in the right place at the right time” is especially true of water — which is why BASF’s Freeport, Texas site has initiated several projects to reduce consumption and diversify supply. The site’s water usage per pound of product has been reduced by over 20 percent over the last 20 years as part of that stewardship. Much of that reduction is result of energy reduction projects, as a result of our ISO-50001 certification efforts. We have also engaged in the recycling/reuse of local municipal wastewater (1 million gallons per day), reducing water lost to the Gulf and withdrawn from the Brazos River. Recycling and reuse are essential — because Texas Water Development Board projections tell us the Brazos will experience water shortages going forward unless new or additional sources of water can be found.
The BASF Freeport Site and Verbund
BASF’s Freeport site was founded in 1958 as part of a joint partnership, and is located near the intersection of the Brazos River and Gulf of Mexico in South Texas. The Freeport site is the largest BASF complex in Texas, with 26 operating units employing more than 1,500 direct and indirect employees. The Freeport site makes products for everyday items, including paints, automobiles, plastics, diapers, and fertilizer. This site contributes $1.2 billion to the local economy annually, including charitable donations.
BASF engages a philosophy called Verbund to improve the efficiency of its plants. Verbund is a German term meaning “intergrated to the maximum extent possible.” The driving principle of the Verbund concept is to add value through the efficient use of resources. At our Verbund sites, production plants, energy and material flows, logistics, and site infrastructure are all integrated to the maximum extent possible. At BASF, we strive to use all resources to that maximum efficiency and be responsible stewards of all resources.
Why Affordable, Sustainable Water Resources are Critical to BASF
BASF will continue to explore ways to reduce water usage and research alternative supplies. Our approach could draw on additional external sources, such as municipal wastewaters or desalination, or utilize internal wastewater recovery and recycling.
For BASF and related industry in Texas to continue to sustain, much less grow, we need access to affordable water resources. Water supply shortages will create scenarios where BASF and related industries will not have that access. Policy that advocates for both sustainable and affordable water access — which means having the right quality of water in the right place at the right time — is essential for the future of Texas’s natural and economic sustainability.
Christopher (Chris) Dorow is Regional Category Manager for Power and Utilities at BASF Corporation. Chris negotiates and buys utilities for BASF’s North American locations, from electrical power to water supplies, and has implemented statistical methods in support of that role. Chris enjoys finding unique solutions facilitate stewardship of natural resources and create economic value for BASF. Chris has a BS is in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tulsa, an MBA with supply chain emphasis from Arizona State University, and an MS in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern University. Chris is a licensed professional chemical engineer in Missouri and Georgia as well as a certified energy manager.
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