Ecolab and CDP Forge Partnership to Elevate Corporate Water Stewardship

Ecolab and CDP Launch Groundbreaking Water Use Efficiency Index to Drive Corporate Sustainability

In a significant move to address global water scarcity and promote responsible resource management, Ecolab, a leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, has partnered with CDP, a global non-profit driving environmental disclosure. Together, they have unveiled the “Water Use Efficiency Index,” a novel benchmarking tool designed to empower companies to precisely measure, compare, and enhance their operational water performance.

Unveiled at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the Index offers sector-specific benchmarks for “best-in-class” water use efficiency. This provides business leaders with actionable insights into their current water footprint and clear pathways for improvement. The initiative commences with a pilot program targeting the highly water-intensive Beverage and Brew segment within the Food, Beverage, and Agriculture industry.

The strategic importance of water use efficiency is amplified by escalating global freshwater demand, projected to outstrip supply by 56% by 2030. With an estimated 60% of global GDP contingent on reliable water access, industries facing significant water stress, such as food and beverage, which accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, are at a critical juncture. The burgeoning demand for AI technologies further exacerbates this challenge, with AI-driven growth potentially requiring water equivalent to the annual drinking water needs of the United States by 2030. This underscores the opportunity for companies to implement robust water reduction, reuse, and recycling strategies.

The Water Use Efficiency Index provides a data-driven framework to define what “best-in-class” operational water use looks like across various industries. By enabling companies to benchmark their performance against peers, identify areas for optimization, and develop strategies for scaling circular water management, the Index aims to foster a more sustainable approach to water consumption.

Advancing water circularity is paramount for industries grappling with increasing water demands driven by population growth, expanding manufacturing, and the rapid development of digital infrastructure. By enhancing efficiency and expanding reuse initiatives, companies can significantly reduce their freshwater footprint while simultaneously building resilient operational systems that also benefit watershed health. Furthermore, improved water management can lead to substantial cost savings, as up to 75% of manufacturing energy is linked to water processing, heating, and transportation. Consistent and controlled water use also contributes to enhanced product quality.

Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, stated, “Water is the bedrock of life and commerce. Every innovation hinges on water, presenting a remarkable opportunity for the private sector to revolutionize how we manage this vital resource. Our collaboration with CDP is poised to be a catalyst for transforming industrial water usage. By championing best-in-class operational water performance, companies can pave the way for sustained growth and positive global impact.”

Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, commented, “Water is an indispensable economic input, integral to growth and success across diverse sectors, including AI, semiconductors, and manufacturing. As water scarcity intensifies, companies that effectively understand, manage, and improve their water consumption will be better positioned to safeguard their margins, secure their supply chains, and attract investment.”

The Index leverages CDP’s extensive database of over 10,000 corporate water disclosures annually, combined with Ecolab’s deep insights derived from millions of customer locations worldwide and data from leading industry organizations. This comprehensive dataset allows for the establishment of robust best-in-class benchmarks, highlighting leading water use efficiency performance among reporting companies.

For the Beverage and Brew segment of the Food, Beverage, and Agriculture industry, the benchmarks include:

* **Beverage, Carbonated Soft Drinks:**
* Best-in-Class Location: 1.2–1.4 Liters of water per Liter of product
* Best-in-Class Enterprise: 1.5–1.8 L/L
* **Brew:**
* Best-in-Class Location: 1.4–2.0 Hectoliters of water per Hectoliter of product
* Best-in-Class Enterprise: 2.0–3.0 hL/hL

Emilio Tenuta, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, added, “By integrating CDP’s leading disclosure data with Ecolab’s expertise in industrial water use, we are providing companies with a clear operational perspective against industry norms and best-in-class performance. Our joint efforts with CDP are aimed at transforming disclosure into tangible action, driving performance improvements, and reducing operational costs.”

For more information on the Water Use Efficiency Index by Ecolab and CDP, please visit ecolab.com/cdp-water-partnership. To explore smart water management strategies and solutions, visit ecolab.com/best. Environmental disclosure data is available at cdp.net/en/data.

**About Ecolab**

Ecolab is a trusted partner to millions of customers, serving as a global sustainability leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. With over a century of innovation, Ecolab generates annual sales of $16 billion, employs approximately 48,000 associates, and operates in over 170 countries. The company delivers science-based solutions, data-driven insights, and world-class service to enhance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use across diverse markets, including food, healthcare, high tech, life sciences, hospitality, and industrial sectors.

Visit ecolab.com for more information. Follow Ecolab on LinkedIn @Ecolab, Instagram @Ecolab_Inc, and Facebook @Ecolab.

**About CDP**

CDP is a global non-profit organization that operates the world’s leading environmental disclosure system. Committed to transparency and data-driven change, CDP partners with leaders across enterprise, capital, policy, and science to generate the insights needed for Earth-positive decisions. In 2025, CDP facilitated disclosures from over 22,100 companies and more than 1,000 cities, states, and regions. Financial institutions representing over a quarter of the world’s institutional assets utilize CDP data to inform their investment and lending strategies. CDP’s framework aligns with the ISSB’s climate standard, IFRS S2, integrating best-practice reporting standards.

Visit CDP.net or follow @CDP for more information.