Automotive Industry
Driving Manufacturing Excellence Through Intelligent Water Management

Overview

Optimized efficiency, sustainability, and performance for the Automotive Industry

Automotive manufacturing requires consistent water quality to support precision production processes such as metal pretreatment, painting, cooling, washing, and equipment operation. Poor water management can increase production defects, drive up energy costs, accelerate equipment deterioration, and create environmental compliance challenges.

Kurita provides integrated water treatment solutions that help automotive facilities optimize utility performance, improve manufacturing quality, reduce environmental impact, and create more sustainable operations. By combining chemistry, engineering, digital monitoring, and technical expertise, we help manufacturers improve both operational performance and business resilience.

INDUSTRY CHALLENGE

Water Quality Impacts Paint Quality

Automotive paint shops rely on highly controlled process water.

Variations in water quality can result in:

  • Surface defects
  • Inconsistent coating quality
  • Rework and production losses
  • Increased operating costs
A. High Utility Energy Consumption

Manufacturing facilities depend on:

  • Cooling towers
  • Chiller systems
  • Boilers
  • Compressed air systems


Without proper treatment, scaling and fouling can significantly increase energy usage.

B. Corrosion and Asset Protection

Critical equipment is continuously exposed to water-related risks including:

  • Corrosion
  • Scaling
  • Deposit formation
  • Microbiological fouling


These issues can reduce production reliability and increase maintenance costs.

C. Wastewater Treatment Requirements

Automotive wastewater may contain:

  • Paint residues
  • Oils and grease
  • Heavy metals
  • Suspended solids
  • Chemical contaminants


Facilities must comply with increasingly strict environmental regulations.

D. ESG and Sustainability Expectations

Global automotive manufacturers are accelerating efforts toward:

  • Water conservation
  • Carbon reduction
  • Circular resource management
  • Sustainable manufacturing

Automotive Paint Shop Solutions

Optimize Paint Booth Performance with Kuristuck™

One of the largest water-related challenges in automotive manufacturing occurs within paint shops, where paint overspray enters water curtain systems and recirculating paint booth water. Without proper treatment, paint particles can accumulate throughout the system, causing equipment fouling, poor circulation, increased maintenance requirements, unpleasant odors, and higher operating costs.
Kuristuck™: Kurita’s Specialized Paint Detackification Solution

Kuristuck™ is specifically designed to treat paint booth water systems by effectively detackifying paint particles and improving paint sludge management.

Benefits for Automotive Manufacturers:

✅ Prevents paint deposits and system fouling

✅ Improves paint booth operational stability

✅ Reduces maintenance frequency and cleaning downtime

✅ Enhances paint sludge separation and removal

✅ Supports cleaner recirculating water systems

✅ Improves workplace cleanliness and operational efficiency

✅ Reduces water treatment and waste handling costs

By combining Kuristuck™ with Kurita’s cooling water, boiler water, wastewater treatment, and digital monitoring solutions, automotive manufacturers can achieve a fully integrated water management strategy across their facilities.

Why Kurita is Different

Many suppliers focus only on utility water treatment.

Kurita provides a comprehensive approach covering both utility systems and production-critical processes within automotive manufacturing.

Utility Systems
  • Cooling Towers
  • Chillers
  • Boilers
  • Water Reuse Systems
Production Processes
  • Surface Pretreatment
  • Process Water Management
  • Paint Booth Water Treatment
  • Wastewater Treatment
Unique Kurita Advantage

Kuristuck™ Paint Booth Technology

Specialized paint detackification solution for automotive paint shops that helps improve operational performance, reduce maintenance burden, and optimize paint sludge management.

Innovative technologies

Zeta Ace®

Kurita’s broad range of coagulation and flocculation products for water and wastewater treatment processes.

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Towerclean NT®

Patented oxidizing biocide technology that effectively controls slime, biofilm, and microbial growth in cooling water systems, helping maintain heat transfer efficiency, protect equipment, and improve operational reliability.

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Kuristuck™

Optimize automotive paint booth performance with Kuristuck™. Its advanced paint detackification (paint killer) technology reduces paint stickiness, improves sludge removal, and supports cleaner, more efficient spray booth operation.

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DReeM Polymer®

Award-winning boiler treatment technology that improves energy efficiency, reduces water and fuel consumption, and supports CO₂ reduction by keeping boiler heat transfer surfaces free from scale.

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We are of service to you

Tetsuya Teramoto

Tetsuya Teramoto

Managing Director, Kurita R&D Asia Pte. Ltd.

Mr. Tetsuya Teramoto has served as Managing Director of Kurita R&D Asia Pte. Ltd. since 2024. Since joining Kurita Water Industries in 2006, he has accumulated nearly 20 years of experience in technology strategy, research and development, and business innovation, including investments in startup companies.

Throughout his career, Mr. Teramoto has led development projects across Japan, China, and the United States. Since 2023, he has been based in Singapore, where he has focused on accelerating technology development aligned with ASEAN market needs, strengthening partnerships with startups, universities, and other ecosystem stakeholders, and driving the creation of emerging solutions that contribute to the Kurita Group’s growth.

Mr. Teramoto holds a Master’s degree in Biosystem Studies from the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Leveraging his expertise in both research and development and business strategy, he is committed to driving innovation that transforms technology into business value and sustainable growth opportunities.

Zackariya

Mohamad Zackariya

Managing Director, Kurita (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Mr. Mohamad Zackariya has served as Managing Director of Kurita (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. since April 2023, capping a distinguished career of more than 25 years with the company. A Singaporean national, he joined Kurita Singapore in 1998 as a Design Engineer in the Plant Division and progressed through a series of leadership roles, including Manager, General Manager, Director, and ultimately Managing Director. His extensive experience has played a key role in strengthening the company’s technical capabilities, customer partnerships, and business growth across the region.

Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Singapore Institute of Management, Mr. Zackariya combines deep technical expertise with strong business leadership. He is committed to advancing Kurita’s mission of creating shared value through innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable water solutions that support customers and industries throughout Southeast Asia.

Masato Hirai

Masato Hirai

Chief Administration Officer, ASEAN Regional

Mr. Masato Hirai serves as ASEAN Regional Chief Administration Officer at Kurita, a role he has held since 2023. With more than 25 years of experience in corporate administration, financial planning, and business operations, he brings extensive expertise in supporting organizational growth, strengthening governance, and driving operational excellence across international business environments.

Mr. Hirai joined Kurita Group in 2021 and has held leadership positions in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for financial planning and analysis, business administration, and the management of cross-functional corporate operations. He has also supported overseas subsidiaries across Asia, Europe, and North America, contributing to the development of effective business practices and strong stakeholder relationships. Prior to joining Kurita, he held management and planning roles at several multinational manufacturing and chemical companies.

Known for his strategic vision and collaborative approach to leadership, Mr. Hirai is committed to strengthening organizational performance and creating long-term sustainable growth. Currently based in Indonesia, he leverages extensive international experience to support Kurita’s regional development and business transformation initiatives. He graduated from Hitotsubashi University, Japan, with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in 1999.

Toshiaki Nakai

Toshiaki Nakai

General Director, Kurita-GK Vietnam Co. Ltd.

Mr. Toshiaki Nakai serves as General Director of Kurita-GK Vietnam Co. Ltd., a position he has held since April 2026. With more than 20 years of experience at Kurita, he has developed extensive expertise in water treatment solutions, business development, and customer partnership management across a wide range of industrial sectors, including general manufacturing, oil refining, and steel production.

Since joining Kurita Water Industries Ltd. in 2004 as a Sales Engineer, Mr. Nakai has supported customers in optimizing water use, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing sustainability initiatives. He later expanded his leadership responsibilities in Indonesia, serving as General Manager of PT. Kurita Indonesia from 2022 to 2025 and Senior General Manager from 2025 to 2026, where he contributed to the company’s growth and strengthened its market presence.

Mr. Nakai holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Kobe University, Japan, graduating in 2004.

Toshinori Maema

Toshinori Maema

President Director, P.T. Kurita Indonesia

Mr. Toshinori Maema has served as President Director of PT. Kurita Indonesia since 2025, bringing over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, technical, and business leadership within the water treatment industry. Having worked across Asia, Europe, and North America, he offers a global perspective on customer engagement, organizational development, and sustainable business growth.

Since joining the Kurita Group in 2004, Mr. Maema has held leadership positions at various Kurita companies in China, Europe, Japan, and Avista Technologies in the United States, where he served as President & CEO from 2023 to 2025 to focus on global initiatives to expand the Kurita reverse osmosis chemicals business. With more than half of his career spent outside Japan, he has developed extensive experience in leading multicultural teams and driving business growth across diverse markets.

Mr. Maema holds a degree in Biochemistry from Aoyama Gakuin University and completed the Leadership on Change program at IESE Business School. Fluent in Japanese, English, and Chinese, with elementary proficiency in German, he is passionate about fostering collaboration across cultures. Outside of work, he enjoys a wide range of sports, including golf, baseball, soccer, and basketball.