DuPont Nederland B.V. (Dordrecht, NL) 

At its Baanhoek site in Dordrecht, Evides Industriewater produces demineralised water (demi water) for DuPont from surface water. DuPont uses this demi water for the manufacture of polymers (such as Teflon® and Delrin®), and for the generation of electricity. The treatment plant has been implemented according to the DBFO (Design, Build, Finance & Operate) concept: they have been designed, financed and constructed and are currently operated by Evides Industriewater. This leads to a long-tem partnership, assuring DuPont of the reliable supply of demi water, without the need to invest in any assets and giving access to the water expertise of Evides Industriewater.

In 1997, DuPont initiated a survey into the possibilities for having the production of demi water handled by interested external parties. Up until that time, DuPont had been providing for its own demi water needs (some 1 million m3 annually) by means of an in-house reverse osmosis plant. This plant converted drinking water into demi water. Since the plant had reached the end of its lifespan, DuPont faced substantial new investments in demi water [productiona capacity. Under the company’s policy of “back to core business”, the option of outsourcing the water production was an obvious one. DuPont’s chose Evides as its partner for water.

The first step was taken with the signing of a custom contract between the companies. Besides the technical terms and conditions (such as output, output variability, water quality, up-time and supply assurance), agreements of this type also include other specific conditions (for example liability, communication between the parties, permits). In cooperation with Vivendi USF Benelux, Evides subsequently constructed, then began the operation of this demi plant. The plant was finished and commissioned in late 1999, with ongoing operation being entrusted to Evides Industriewater.

At commissioning, the plant’s capacity was 105 m³/hour. In mid-2001, at the request of DuPont, the capacity of the plant was raised to 130 m³/hour. To assure continuity of supply, two buffer tanks are on permanent standby (total volume: 1,000 m3).