Importance and Mission

Ichitan Group Public Company Limited, a beverage manufacturer for whom “water” is a primary production factor, recognizes the importance of maximizing water resource efficiency. The Company is therefore committed to holistic water management, encompassing water source conservation, reduced water consumption, and the development and improvement of wastewater quality standards to comply with relevant laws and regulations. Wastewater from production processes is also managed for reuse based on the 3Rs principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). In addition, the Company promotes awareness among its directors, executives, and employees regarding the value of water resources. Furthermore, the Company regularly assesses the impact and risks associated with water usage and monitors raw water levels monthly to ensure its operations do not negatively affect water consumption for local communities and all stakeholders around the factory.

Stakeholders Directly Impacted

Consumers
Employees
Society and Community

Goal and Performance Highlights

Goals
Reduce water usage per unit of production by
2.00%
by 2025.
Performance Highlights
Reduced water usage in the production process by
258,874.68
cubic meters
a decrease of 2.32%.

Management Approach

  1. The Company places great importance on water risk management by monitoring water data from the Rojana Industrial Park to assess the situation and potential impacts of changes in water quantity or quality. This assessment covers both the six-month rainy season (May to October) and the six-month dry season (November to April) to determine preventive and corrective measures for situations such as droughts or floods. The Company conducts at least one water risk assessment and one flood response drill per year to prepare systematically for potential flood events and minimize flood-related losses.
  2. Installing a water tank on Company grounds: The Company has installed a water tank at the factory for use in emergencies, such as issues with the industrial park’s water supply. The Company maintains a water reserve of 8,500.00 cubic meters on site.
  3. Monitoring the risks to the Company and the local community, and managing water systematically by tracking the organization’s water consumption to identify water-saving measures based on the 3Rs principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
  4. The quality of water used in the production process is assessed at least once a year, as stipulated in Ministry of Public Health Announcement No. 135 (B.E. 2534) (1991) concerning sealed-container drinking water. This assessment includes analysis for metal contamination, microbiological testing, and evaluation of water characteristics such as color, pH, and mineral content. Daily analysis is performed to maintain water quality and production safety, ensuring consumers receive safe products.
  5. The water usage is monitored to control production costs and reduce wastewater generated during production. This is achieved by setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for water usage control within the responsible departments.
  6. The quality of wastewater from the production process is assessed by controlling pollutant levels to comply with legal requirements and the standards set by Rojana Industrial Park, to prevent environmental impact on the community and enhance the organization’s environmental image.
  7. Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment is a biological treatment process conducted under oxygen-free conditions. Microorganisms utilize alternative compounds as electron acceptors in place of dissolved oxygen or free oxygen to decompose organic matter in the wastewater, causing it to settle. The resulting water then enters the color treatment system before discharge. Prior to discharge, the wastewater quality must be tested to confirm it meets the discharge standards for the central wastewater treatment system at Rojana Industrial Park.
  8. Promote employee awareness and understanding of water conservation to save water and reduce wastewater discharge.
Risk Assessment of Water Usage

Water resource management is a critical issue in the beverage industry, particularly for Ichitan’s production facilities, which rely on water as a primary raw material. The Company prioritizes a comprehensive assessment of water-related risks, referencing the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Global Reporting Initiative’s water management reporting standards, and international environmental practices. This ensures efficient water management and usage within the organization, minimizing impacts on communities and the environment, and aligning with the Company’s sustainable business practices. The Company has conducted a water risk assessment to identify, analyze, and evaluate potential risks associated with water usage in beverage production. This assessment provides data to inform the development of a Water Stewardship strategy.

Risk Assessment Process (Methodology)

The Company assesses water usage risk using Risk Management principles in accordance with ISO 31000 and the Water Risk Framework by evaluating risks in areas experiencing “water stress,” such as those identified by the WRI Aqueduct (the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct tool) and the WWF Water Risk Filter. This process involves the following steps:

  • Risk Identification
  • Analysis of risks related to quantity, quality, regulations, and social impact.
  • Risk Assessment with Heat Map (Likelihood x Impact)
  • Management Planning and Monitoring

Currently, the Company primarily sources water from the Rojana Industrial Park, accounting for 100% of its total water consumption. However, to prevent potential risks from water shortages in the surrounding communities, the Company continuously assesses water risks to minimize these impacts.

การประเมินความเสี่ยงจากการใช้น้ำ

From the assessment results, it was found that the Ichitan Green Factory is located in an area with an extremely high risk level. Therefore, the Company has developed a resource management approach to maximize the efficiency of limited resources. This includes closely monitoring water situation reports, creating plans to reduce water consumption and prepare for water shortages, and implementing various projects in collaboration with local communities around the factory to support responsible water usage.

Main risks associated with water use at the Ichitan Green Factory.
  • Water Quantity Risk
    • Drought risk leading to reduced water availability
    • Risk of water usage restrictions due to government announcements during the dry season.
    • Increased water demand driven by future production capacity expansion
  • Water Quality Risk
    • Contamination of raw water which could impact tea product quality.
    • The COD/BOD levels in wastewater may increase and exceed legal limits.
    • Risk of Chemical Leakage in the Factory
  • Regulatory Compliance Risk
    • Changes in regulations regarding effluent quality standards
    • Stricter groundwater usage permits
  • Community Impact Risk
    • Concerns from the community regarding water resource competition
    • Risks to corporate image and consumer confidence
  • Water Supply Risk for Trading Partners
    • Drought risk leading to reduced water availability
    • Risk of water usage restrictions affecting raw material production
Risk Register
Risk Category Risk Issue Potential Impact Impact Risk Level Control measures
Water quantity Drought reducing water availability at source High High Critical Develop a water management plan for the dry season / increase water reserves.
Water Quality Fluctuating raw water quality impacts the products. Moderate High High Multi-Layer Filtration / Daily Water Quality Check
Legal and Regulatory More stringent wastewater standards Low High Moderate Water Treatment System Adjustment / Legal Monitoring
Community Community complaints about high water usage. Moderate Moderate Moderate Water-related CSR initiatives/ Community Engagement
Business Partners Impact on raw material production Moderate High High Develop a raw material management plan / Expand options for sourcing raw materials from alternative suppliers.
Operations and Performance
Total water consumption data by source

Quantity of tap water used in production

(Unit: m3)

Quantity of tap water used in production

Total quantity of recycled and reused water

(Unit: m3)

Total quantity of recycled and reused water

(Unit: Cubic Meters)

Performances 2023 2024 2025
Total water consumption 2,184,788.00 2,195,485.00 1,959,204.68
Tap water consumption or third-party water consumption 1,802,772.00 1,801,049.00 1,700,330.00
Surface Water Consumption 0.00 0.00 0.00
Groundwater Consumption 0.00 0.00 0.00
Seawater Consumption 0.00 0.00 0.00
Water Consumption in Production Process 382,016.00 394,436.00 258,874.68
Performances

(Unit: Cubic meters per unit of production)

2023
2024
2025
Tap Water Usage Rate per Unit of Production

(Unit: Cubic meters per unit of production)

Performances 2023 2024 2025
Tap Water Usage Rate per Unit of Production (Cubic Meters per Unit) 4.9573 4.6829 4.5744
Water Consumption Reduction Data

Total Recycled and Reused Water

(Unit: m3)

Total Recycled and Reused Water

Tap water usage reduction rate

(%)

Tap water usage reduction rate

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

(tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Performance results 2023 2024 2025
Total Recycled and Reused Water (cubic meters) 382,016 394,436 258,875
Tap water usage reduction rate (%) 3.8166 5.5338 2.3184
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) 206.67 213.39 140.05
Analysis results of tap water quality treated through the freshwater treatment process.
Analysis results of RO water quality used in the production processes