Wednesday, December 31, 2025
ADLER, Austria’s leading manufacturer of paints, varnishes, and wood preservatives, has recently launched a new, high-performance wastewater treatment plant at its Environmental Protection and Recycling Centre (URZ) in Schwaz. This latest development marks another step in ADLER’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, following the company’s long-standing focus on innovation in the paint and coatings industry. The new plant, which came online in 2025, significantly increases the capacity and efficiency of wastewater treatment, addressing the growing demands of the company’s expanding operations.
Founded in 1934, ADLER is a family-owned business and has been at the forefront of environmentally friendly waterborne coatings. As the company’s production volume has multiplied since the 1990s, the need for more efficient and sustainable processes became clear. Dr. Albert Rössler, Head of Research & Development, explains that the existing wastewater treatment facility was close to reaching its capacity limits. “ADLER now manufactures more than two-thirds of all its products using water-based methods. Production volume has increased significantly, and this new plant creates the necessary capacity for future growth,” Rössler adds.
The upgraded wastewater treatment system improves the environmental management of the entire ADLER facility by efficiently treating all wastewater generated during paint development and production, as well as from the cleaning of containers and equipment. Thomas Klausner, Head of Operations at ADLER, describes how the plant uses advanced chemical and physical processes to filter out all paint components from the wastewater. “With the new plant, we can enhance the quality of these processes, resulting in even higher purity levels of treated wastewater,” Klausner says.
The benefits of the new plant extend beyond quality. The volume of waste requiring disposal has been significantly reduced, and the amount of chemicals used in the treatment process has been halved. Additionally, the system helps reduce freshwater consumption by reusing some of the treated wastewater for internal processes. The increased efficiency not only contributes to sustainability but also benefits the employees at the URZ. Alfred Pernik, Director of the Environmental Protection and Recycling Centre, highlights the improved ergonomics: “The new system is fully digitally controlled, and we can operate it conveniently from a computer, reducing time spent on operations and minimizing potential errors.”
A key aspect of the project’s success was its seamless integration with existing operations. ADLER invested €1.6 million in the new system, which required careful planning due to space limitations and the need for continuous operations during installation. A temporary system was put in place as an interim solution, ensuring that operations were unaffected. The project was completed in just a few months, thanks to detailed preparation and efficient teamwork. Dr. Rössler commended the efforts of the entire team: “On behalf of the management, I would like to thank our competent and dedicated employees who successfully managed this complex project. With this upgrade, we are securing the future of ADLER as a leading supplier of environmentally friendly coatings.”
ADLER’s Environmental Protection and Recycling Centre (URZ) plays a critical role in the company’s commitment to active climate protection and reducing its environmental footprint. The wastewater treatment plant is one of several initiatives ADLER has undertaken to make its operations more sustainable. The company continuously seeks innovative solutions to improve its environmental performance and to offer its customers sustainable products. This focus on innovation is key to ADLER’s long-term strategy and its ongoing leadership in the paint and coatings sector.
With around 730 employees, ADLER manufactures and ships approximately 21,000 tons of paint annually from its Schwaz plant. Its products are sent to over 30 countries worldwide. The company’s international presence includes sales subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Despite this broad reach, ADLER’s production remains based solely at its headquarters in Schwaz, Tyrol, Austria.
As a pioneer in waterborne coatings, ADLER is dedicated to helping its customers meet sustainability goals through the development of environmentally responsible products. The company’s commitment to sustainability is not limited to the products it manufactures but extends to all aspects of its operations, from production processes to waste management. ADLER’s investment in the new wastewater treatment plant is just one example of how the company is integrating sustainability into every facet of its business.
Looking ahead, ADLER plans to continue expanding its production while maintaining its focus on environmental protection. The new wastewater treatment plant ensures that the company will be able to meet future demand while reducing its environmental impact, reaffirming ADLER’s position as a leader in the global paint and coatings industry.
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Tags: ADLER, ADLER coating, chemical processes, eco-friendly coatings, sustainable solutions, wastewater treatment plant, waterborne coatings, Wood news and updates, woodworking updates
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