Reimagining wastewater as a valuable resource

“Millions of litres of water are consumed daily for industrial processes, forming a key impediment to the circular economy in Europe. To tackle this, the EU-funded ULTIMATE project developed a ‘water-smart industrial symbiosis’ concept. This effort led to new technologies and processes to extract clean water, energy and valuable materials from wastewater.
At the heart of the ULTIMATE project is a clear vision: to transform how Europe manages its water resources and encourage the idea that wastewater is a valuable asset. The goal is less environmental contamination from wastewater, alongside increased savings and revenue for industries including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, distilleries and food processing. The idea is crucial for building a truly circular economy, reducing the need to extract natural resources.
As Gerard van den Berg, innovation and valorisation manager at the KWR Water Research Institute and coordinator of the project, explains: “Our main goal is to reuse and recover water, energy and valuable materials that can be extracted from wastewater, such as nutrients for use in agriculture.””

(Citaat: Berg, G.A. van den – Reimagining wastewater as a valuable resource – European Commission (2025)5 March)