Optimising the water, chemical and energy footprint
Rémy Martin
Rémy Martin reuses its ingredient water osmosis concentrates for its utilities, saving 1,200 m³ of water per year and reducing its consumption of chemicals by 60%
Cognac house
Guarantee water quality, limit waste & of chemicals
Founded in 1724, Rémy Martin is the only major family-owned cognac house still in business today, and the oldest spirits brand in the Rémy Cointreau group. Rémy Martin alone has sales of €735 million (2021) and employs 400 people at its 4 sites in the Charente region, producing over 35 million bottles a year, 98% of which are exported.
Proud of its three centuries of history, Rémy Martin is nonetheless a company that is well in tune with the times, capable today of devising strategies to ensure its long-term future. A customer for more than 20 years, the company turned to BWT in 2019 to install new facilities designed to monitor in real time the quality of the water used to make cognac (ingredient water), limit waste and reduce the use of chemicals.
Watch our customer testimonial video
In just a few minutes, find out how we support our customer on a daily basis in producing high-quality water
The issues
Producing compliant ingredient water while reducing environmental impact
Water, an essential element in the final quality of Rémy Martin cognacs, is a sensitive issue within the company. In addition to complying with current regulatory requirements, such as the Attestation de Conformité Sanitaire [Certificate of Sanitary Conformity] (ACS) and standard EC1935/2004, the issue of water at Rémy Martin is part of the Rémy Cointreau Group's strong ambitions in the field of CSR in general, and the reduction of the environmental impact of production facilities and processes in particular.
The main challenges of the project were to produce osmosis water of the quality required for producing cognac, and to optimise the use of technical water, in particular water used for the cooling tower and the boiler
The solution
Reverse osmosis, salt electrolysis and real-time monitoring
To produce ingredient water that meets the quality expectations of Rémy Martin cognacs, the BWT teams installed a complete municipal water treatment system, including a sand filter, a softener and an ingredient water osmosis unit. At the same time, and in order to limit the amount of water drawn from the network, it was decided to re-use the osmosis concentrates to supply the cooling tower.
The BWT ECO-MX solution, designed to produce a fresh disinfectant solution in situ by salt electrolysis, is used to control the bacteriological risk of these top-ups, and in particular the risk of legionella in the cooling tower, in order to reduce the consumption of chemicals. At the same time, the level of free chlorine is monitored and regulated by an analyser, to constantly maintain the quality of the cooling water.
Finally, the real-time monitoring system for BWT Bluwell installations guarantees feedback and alerts by SMS or e-mail. This technical and consumption data is used to adjust the installation's parameters to ensure optimum management
Customer testimonial
Find out how we support our customers in their industrial water treatment.
"In addition to the relevance of the installations and solutions deployed, we are particularly satisfied with the relationship with the BWT teams: present and accessible as soon as the need arises, they demonstrate great responsiveness and very strong technical expertise in supporting us, for more than 20 years, on all our water-related issues", explains David Piednoël, Liquid Process Maintenance Manager at Rémy Martin.
"Our BWT contacts also keep a close eye on the latest regulations, which they regularly share with us, and they are always ready to make proposals in line with our industrial context, so that we can comply with new standards and regulations as quickly and effectively as possible. Particularly with regard to EC 1935/2004. Or even new market expectations: the BWT teams have already shown us that we can count on them to reduce the environmental impact of our activities"
Products used
BWT INGREDIENT WATER OSMOSIS UNIT
Equipment for producing hygienically designed (EHEDG) and CE 1935/2004 compliant ingredient water
BWT ECO-MX
Generator of fresh, continuous disinfectant solution, in situ, by salt electrolysis
BWT BLUWELL
Application for 24/7 monitoring of usage and water treatment equipment to optimise maintenance and interventions and limit costs
NEWS
The latest information and documentation from BWT Industrie
CAP 26 press conference
Eco-innovation for tomorrow's industry! In February 2023, with its CAP 26 strategy, BWT France unveiled its ambitions for its Industry division and launched its Green Chemistry operation, the aim of which is to accelerate the ecological transition of manufacturers. To reinforce this approach, which has been anticipated for several years, BWT France presented three biodegradable water treatment solutions that are new in the sector.
Partnership between Chimie ParisTech and BWT
BWT France and Chimie ParisTech - PSL enter into a partnership to develop water treatment solutions based on green active ingredients
Signed for 2 years, this collaboration aims to lead to the green formulation of water treatment solutions to protect installations against deposits and bacteria.
NEWS - Press coverage - Environnement magazine
Suspected of damaging reproduction, sodium bromide could eventually be classed as a “proven” CMR under European harmonisation. Ludovic Lemieux, Technical Manager for Formulated Products at BWT France, looks at the alternatives for meeting water disinfection needs in industrial processes.
SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIP - Green Chemistry
We're proud to announce that we've joined forces with the prestigious Chimie ParisTech - PSL school to develop the first green water treatment formulation to protect installations against deposits and bacteria! This partnership is part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact and that of our customers!