Water protection in Switzerland

Water protection in Switzerland: how the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are doing their bit

Water is an important and strictly protected resource in Switzerland: rivers, lakes and groundwater form the basis for ecosystems, drinking water supplies, industrial use and energy supply through hydropower. Clean water is also the basis for many industrial processes and thus a key factor for a sustainable economy. Numerous substances are used every day in households, agriculture, industry and commerce. Some of these substances can enter water bodies and pollute them. The responsible use of this resource is a matter of course and of central importance for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. As part of the Responsible Care programme, the member companies of scienceindustries are committed to protecting people and the environment in their products, processes and facilities. They do everything in their power to protect water bodies by reducing substance inputs and consistently limiting the discharge of pollutants. In this way, they make an active contribution to the sustainable use and preservation of clean water resources – today and for future generations.

Seven facts: How the chemical and pharmaceutical industry actively implements water protection.

1 Wastewater – a complex challenge

In the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, production, purification and formulation generate a wide variety of wastewater streams that can contain different substances – from solvents and intermediate products to traces of active ingredients. This complexity places high demands on environmental management. Companies actively embrace this responsibility: they see the careful handling of wastewater not as a one-off task, but as an ongoing process.

Through continuous investment in research, modern processes and innovative technologies, companies are working to steadily minimise substance inputs and wastewater pollution. The focus here is on a holistic understanding of material flows and close cooperation with science and authorities.

2 Responsibility from the outset

Even when developing new products, companies take care to use environmentally friendly materials and avoid emissions:

• Processes are optimised to avoid unwanted by-products

• Raw materials are carefully selected to minimise potential contamination from the outset

• Production wastewater is tested at an early stage for toxicity, degradability and persistence

Practical example: By specifically adjusting the temperature and reaction control, the formation of poorly degradable by-products can be reduced – a step that not only reduces wastewater pollution but also makes the use of resources more efficient.

3 Clean water using state-of-the-art processes

Today, combined physical, chemical and biological processes are used in wastewater treatment:

• Activated carbon filters remove pharmaceutical and pesticide residues

• Nanofiltration can separate out hard-to-degrade substances, while oxidative processes can break them down

• Distillation or extraction removes solvents and other organic residues

• Highly concentrated partial flows are collected separately and incinerated. Result: In some plants, targeted measures at source have reduced the ecotoxicity in the effluent from sewage treatment plants by over 85% in the last 10 years, while degradation efficiency now averages 96–97%.

4 Strict standards – internal and external

Companies in Switzerland are subject to strict national and cantonal requirements (e.g. discharge permits, limit values, micropollutant guidelines). These legal requirements form the basis for wastewater treatment.

In addition, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry is committed to high standards that go beyond the legal requirements. International initiatives and guidelines help to minimise risks and treat wastewater in a targeted manner. Examples include:

• AMR Industry Alliance (2025): Guidelines for minimising the risk that the manufacture of human antibiotics contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance or ecotoxic effects in water bodies.

• Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Inter-Association Taskforce (2022): Technical guidelines for the responsible management of wastewater from pharmaceutical production.

Many companies also carry out regular monitoring and actively participate in national measurement campaigns with the aim of better monitoring and continuously improving the composition of wastewater. In addition, there are international monitoring stations (e.g. Rhine monitoring stations) that are able to trace wastewater back to its source of discharge.

5 From wastewater to innovation

Many processes have been developed from practical experience. Small production companies often work with batch cleaning systems and combine different methods. The aim is to find the most efficient and climate-friendly process for each class of substance. Thanks to modern technologies and automated monitoring systems, undesirable substances can now be detected at an early stage. This enables rapid intervention and continuous optimisation of wastewater treatment.

6 Effective risk management when handling special substances

The chemical and pharmaceutical industry takes the handling of particularly persistent substances or toxicologically problematic substances very seriously. The aim is to identify potential risks at an early stage and take targeted action. This includes tailor-made treatment methods for affected wastewater streams and the early assessment of toxicological risks and environmental impacts.

7 Users as partners

The industry works closely with users to minimise the release of products during application. Training courses, best practice initiatives and programmes such as TOPPS (Train Operators to Promote Best Practices and Sustainability) promote the proper use of chemicals and plant protection products. This partnership-based cooperation shows that water protection can be actively supported not only during production, but also during use through shared responsibility and forward-looking action.