This month, the CHERISH2O project (CHEmical industry water Reuse In a Sustainable Harbour) kicks off in the Port of Antwerp. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, VITO, essenscia, VMM, and Antea Group are exploring the feasibility of purifying industrial wastewater from chemical companies for large-scale reuse. They’re not doing this alone: 12 companies are participating in the research project. By producing process water from wastewater streams, the companies aim to reduce their water consumption, helping the industry mitigate risks of water shortages, particularly during droughts, while also safeguarding drinking water supplies for the public.
Chemical companies such as Ashland, BASF, Bayer, Borealis, Envalior, Evonik, ExxonMobil, Ineos, Lanxess, 3M, Monument Chemicals, and TotalEnergies all have one thing in common: water is critical to their operations. With climate change impacting water availability, these companies are seeking long-term solutions through CHERISH2O to ensure the continuity of their water supply, both for their production processes and for public drinking water, by transitioning to a circular water usage model.
The first step of CHERISH2O will assess how much water the companies require and how much wastewater they currently discharge. Next, the project will explore which clusters of companies offer the most value in terms of jointly reusing wastewater. The study will map out the costs, benefits, and environmental impact of wastewater reuse and compare the necessary technologies for water purification. Based on these findings, a pilot installation will be set up to test wastewater purification in practice across different companies. The research will also investigate how certain substances in wastewater could serve as raw materials for other processes. Finally, the project will consider the legal framework and examine business models to facilitate large-scale implementation.
The total project cost is around €730,000, shared between the project partners and participating companies, with financial support from the Flemish government’s Blue Deal. CHERISH2O represents an important step towards achieving the goals of the Flemish climate adaptation plan, which aims for companies to fully recycle their water by 2040, minimising the use of drinking water and groundwater.
This is the first time that the feasibility of decentralised circular water networks using industrial wastewater has been evaluated on such a large scale in a port environment.
Flemish Minister of Environment: “Water is our greatest ally and one of our most precious resources. It’s an absolute ‘must’ that we handle it carefully and consciously. In Flanders, we’re doing this through our Blue Deal, where, for the first time, science is at the heart of our water policy. I can only applaud the fact that the chemical sector in the Port of Antwerp, one of the pillars of our economy, is taking part. Environmental shocks, like water scarcity, are economic shocks as well.”
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “The impressive list of chemical companies participating in this project shows once again that our port community is keen to lead the way towards greater sustainability. If these companies can replace drinking water in their production with purified wastewater, it would be a significant step forward, making them more resilient to water stress.”
Bernard De Potter, Director-General of VMM: “VMM is excited about the leadership the chemical industry in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is showing in exploring options for wastewater reuse. As a solutions-oriented partner, we are fully committed to supporting this important initiative in the context of climate change.”
Ann Wurman, Director of essenscia Flanders: “Everyone knows the chemical formula H2O. Water is also essential for chemical production processes: as a coolant, to generate steam, or as a raw material. Therefore, water conservation is a top priority for the chemical sector. Over the past decade, the sector has reduced its drinking water consumption by a quarter, but we remain committed to doing even better. Collaboration is key to success, and it’s crucial that the government, knowledge partners, and industry join forces to create the right framework to support companies in this transition.”
Leen Govaerts, Director of Water and Energy Transition at VITO: “Innovation in collaboration with industry and government is a vital link in addressing Flanders’ water challenges. As a research partner, VITO helps look beyond individual interests and smartly combines technology with a regional approach. This contributes to a sustainable water supply and the competitiveness of the chemical industry in Flanders.”
Jan Parys, CEO of Antea Group Belgium: “The CHERISH2O project is a critical step towards sustainable water use in the chemical industry at the Port of Antwerp. At Antea Group, we’re using our knowledge and experience to develop a method for assessing the impact of combined discharges on watercourses. We’re also contributing to the feasibility study for circular wastewater reuse. Together with our partners, this project will improve water quality and enhance the sector’s self-sufficiency.”
