Marelli’s adhesive wastewater recovery solution has won the 2025 Altair Enlighten Award in the sustainable process category. The company’s process recovers 85% of the wastewater generated during the cleaning of machinery in the manufacturing of interior parts.
Marelli‘s adhesive wastewater recovery solution improves water recovery and reduces waste during the cleaning of machinery used for adhesive bonding, which is a process commonly used in the wrapping of vehicle interior parts. After each use, the spray gun, hose and related components used in the bonding process must be cleaned of adhesive residue. The water that remains after cleaning contains organic content, which classifies it as industrial waste; therefore, it cannot be reused for other manufacturing operations and must be properly disposed of.
The method developed by Marelli uses three chemical agents, mixed at precise ratios, that allow the organic solvents (adhesive residue) within the wastewater to separate, condense and solidify. The remaining water can then be reused in other manufacturing operations within the same plant.
After extensive testing with several global suppliers to identify the most suitable chemical agents, ratios and combinations, Marelli launched this process in late 2024 at its plant in Kyushu, Japan. Using this method, the site has been able to reduce its water use by 8,160kg per year.
“We’re honored to win the Altair Enlighten Award for our adhesive wastewater recovery solution,” said Tsukasa Fujii, the president of Marelli’s interiors business. “This innovation embodies the Marelli culture of aiming to use resources efficiently, drawing also from Japanese know-how, which in particular developed this solution. This was also made possible by the strong leadership of our factory managers, based on our ‘plant first’ approach. We will continue to partner with automotive OEMs to contribute to a sustainable society, and we believe this technology will set new industry standards.”
Presented in association with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), the Altair Enlighten Award honors sustainability and lightweighting advances that reduce carbon footprint, mitigate water and energy consumption and leverage material reuse and recycling efforts.
In related news, Innovera’s Dry White receives C2C certification
