Nov. 2, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that it is saving 1 billion gallons of water annually since launching a comprehensive, global effort in 2004 to preserve natural resources through reducing use of water in the production of its nutrition and other health care products.

In 2004, the company set out to achieve a reduction in water use compared to its 2004 baseline by the end of 2011, when normalized to sales.

Abbott has nearly reached its goal of a 40 percent reduction in water use two years ahead of time as its manufacturing water use has decreased 37 percent, normalized to sales. The company has also achieved a seven percent reduction in absolute terms, while at the same time increasing production at many of its plants as demand for its products has grown.

"Abbott is committed to using water and other natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner," said Corlis Murray, vice president, Global Engineering Services, Abbott. "Water is essential to our ability to provide our customers with the health care products from Abbott they depend on, but the quality of water we return to the environment is also important."

Abbott's global water use policy includes a commitment to:

--  Increasing water use efficiency at its manufacturing sites worldwide
--  Understanding and mitigating risks of water stress and scarcity

--  Educating communities where it operates on water conservation.

Increasing water use efficiency

Abbott is incorporating water-saving design and technology into new and existing facilities. For example, Abbott's plant in Sturgis, Mich. is utilizing more efficient water scrubbers to control dust emissions, resulting in the saving of 8.5 million gallons of water per year. The company's Casa Grande, Ariz. plant has installed water-efficient fixtures, low water use landscaping and implemented a "Leak Tag" program which ensures leaks are detected and fixed promptly. In addition, after being sent to the local water treatment plant for cleaning, some water is now returned to the community for uses such as in landscaping and golf course irrigation.

Abbott's nutritional plant in Singapore was built from the ground up with several environmental objectives in mind, including water conservation. The plant uses water-efficient fittings, irrigation systems and cooling towers.