Aquatech Amsterdam learns about the Flemish rainbow approach for water challenges

At Aquatech Amsterdam, the world's leading water trade fair, this unique approach garnered a great deal of international attention. This year, Aquatech features over 850 exhibitors from 140 countries and more than 22,000 visitors. Flanders may be small, but in water management, we are significant. This is unsurprising, given the immense water challenges we face. Periods of drought increasingly alternate with long periods of heavy rainfall, causing industry, agriculture, and nature to struggle with water shortages during the summer months. Salinisation and pollution are drying up Flanders, despite the proximity of the sea and the many waterways.

What makes Flanders unique is its high population density and significant economic activity, while having limited water availability. This presents us with major water challenges. We tackle these by saving, exchanging, and purifying water through integrated innovation in strategic partnerships,' explains Johan Ceulemans, Business Developer for water at VITO. Thanks to this fluid approach, Flanders is leading in several water-intensive industrial sectors. Think of the ports in Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges developing into sustainable industrial clusters, or the Belgian food valley with globally sought-after products.'

We cannot solve these enormous challenges with technology alone. Fluid Crew, the brand name under which the Flemish water sector is united, therefore opts for a rainbow approach. This brings together various colourful perspectives, leading to crystal-clear insights that result in sustainable solutions.

The proof of the pudding

The first day of the fair was an immediate hit. Many interested parties headed to the Flemish stand to listen to the pitches about the removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs) from domestic wastewater. Following this, the Clean Waterways through O3G partnership hosted a happy hour. Both the presentations and the Belgian beers and Dutch snacks were greatly appreciated!