The primary aim of central purchasing is to save costs, utilise synergies and pool expertise as an internal service provider by bundling volumes across the association and reducing the number of suppliers. Framework agreements or framework contracts, which are concluded on the basis of procurement procedures, establish standardised purchasing conditions throughout the association. This also benefits the subsidiaries LLK and RWG, which organise their procurement via the Ruhrverband's central purchasing department.

The requirements of the operating sites and administrative units are mainly covered by electronic catalogues, which are imported and maintained centrally in Essen. These include common C-items such as tools, electrical materials, personal protective equipment, office supplies, hygiene and cleaning products, as well as operating chemicals such as precipitants or external carbon sources. In addition, services such as the use of suction and flushing vehicles, the use of crane vehicles or testing activities by authorised inspection bodies are also included.

The Ruhrverband's electronic catalogues include a large number of articles and system suppliers. The Ruhrverband's annual purchasing volume amounts to a considerable sum and is divided into direct and indirect material.

Our purchasing programme includes

Indirect material/services

• Machinery and equipment for the operation of wastewater treatment plants, dams and reservoirs
• Spare parts and operating materials required for the maintenance and repair or ongoing operation of our machines and units at the operating facilities
• Storage equipment, tools and tool accessories, logistics systems, complete devices, batteries and chargers
• Semi-finished steel products, flat products, steel assemblies, forged and pressed parts, formed parts, cast parts and machined parts
• Water chemistry measuring instruments, analytical chemicals and laboratory consumables
• Filter media, plastic parts
• Electrical and electronic assemblies and consumables
• Office supplies, office and operating equipment, hardware and software for telecommunications and PCs, workwear and protective clothing, packaging materials, cleaning and hygiene materials
• Use of crane trucks and suction and rinsing trucks, inspections by authorised inspection bodies, maintenance work on online process measurement technology

Direct material

• Energy, chemicals, polymers, carbon sources, iron and aluminium salts, aluminates